Mount Yoshino was once the center of the Southern Court during the Northern and Southern Courts period.

It has long been a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing.

Kinpusenji Temple, located in Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture, is said to have been founded in the late 7th century by En no Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo. It is registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," and is a sacred place where Shugendo practitioners and mountain ascetics from all over the country gather as the center of Shugendo. The main hall, Zao-do, is designated as a national treasure, and is a magnificent wooden structure with a height of about 34 meters and a skirt floor of about 36 meters on all sides, second only in size to the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple.

Although it has been burned down many times, the current building is a historic building that was rebuilt in 1591.

Inside the Zaodo Hall, three giant statues of Kongo Zao Daigongen, which are secret Buddha statues, are enshrined, the largest of which is about 7 meters tall. They are usually not open to the public, but you can view their impressive appearance up close during special viewing periods. The temple grounds are also dotted with historical structures such as the copper torii gate (Hassinmon), a symbol of Mount Yoshino, and the Kuromon gate, which was once the main gate of Kinpusenji Temple, and these, combined with the rich nature of Mount Yoshino, create a solemn atmosphere.

Parking is available at the Yoshinoyama Parking Lot. (Reservations are required during cherry blossom season) Shuttle buses are available from suburban parking lots during cherry blossom season.

If traveling by train, get off at Yoshino Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line and take the Yoshino Ropeway.

[Trivia]
Kinpusenji Temple was founded when En no Gyoja carved the image of Kongo Zao Daigongen, which he had perceived, into a wild cherry tree and enshrined it. For this reason, the cherry trees of Mt. Yoshino are treasured as sacred trees. Zaodo is the second largest wooden ancient building in Japan after the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple, and its impressive presence is worth seeing.

[Hidden Spot]
"Noten Daijin Ryuo-in," located at the bottom of the stairs in the grounds of Zaodo, is said to be beneficial for healing head illnesses and academic success. It is a hidden spot where you can worship in peace with relatively few tourists. Also, if you go a little further to "Saigyo-an" in the Okusenbon area of ​​Mt. Yoshino, you can enjoy the quiet and beautiful autumn leaves (autumn foliage season).

[Useful points of concern]
Because Mt. Yoshino is a mountainous area, there are many slopes and stairs in the grounds, so it is essential to wear comfortable shoes. It is especially crowded during the cherry blossom season, autumn foliage season, and the period when the hidden Buddha is open to the public, and the ropeway, buses, and parking lots may be full.