The small town of Yoshino (吉野, official site), near the old capitol of Nara, was a popular spot since ancient times and was often the subject of poetry in the Hyakunin Isshu anthology, for example poem 31 and poem 94. Further, according to the old Japanese historical account, the Nihon Shoki, visits to Yoshino to view the cherry blossoms went as far back as Empress Jitō (poem 2) and became a tradition ever since.
There is also a famous love story that takes place between the celebrated 12th century warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and his mistress Shizuka Gozen. It was said that winter, while fleeing his jealous older brother, on the way to Oshu province in the north, they had to separate for her safety. In the snows of Yoshino, they parted, and Shizuka was sad to watch her beloved disappear in the snow.
Last spring, the Yasaka Taxi company in Japan posted a terrific photo of Yoshino (original link on Twitter):
Even to this day, cherry blossom viewing at Yoshino is a major tourism destination, and from what I hear, it’s pretty amazing.
Yoshino is also lovely in Fall, by the way:
One can imagine why the aristocracy of early Japan valued this place so highly. 😄🌸
P.S. Featured photo is of the mountains surrounding Yoshino village in spring, photo by 8-hachiro, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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