Yoshinoyama Ropeway

Mount Yoshino has long been renowned for its cherry blossoms and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the early Showa period, the founder's desire to build a passenger ropeway on Mount Yoshino led to the opening of a route connecting present-day Senbonguchi Station and Yoshinoyama Station. For more than 90 years, it has remained a popular means of transportation for visitors to Mount Yoshino.

Thanks to regular maintenance of the station buildings, support towers, exterior walls, and other structures, the ropeway still operates much as it did when it first opened. Senbonguchi Station is located near Kintetsu Yoshino Station, and the ropeway reaches Yoshinoyama Station at the top of the mountain in about 3 minutes. With cherry blossoms in spring, colorful foliage in fall, and scenery that changes with each season, the ride offers an exciting start to a visit to Mount Yoshino.

Mount Yoshino is said to have around 30,000 cherry trees, which bloom in sequence across the Shimo-senbon, Naka-senbon, Kami-senbon, and Oku-senbon areas. The best time to see them is generally from early to late April. Kinpusenji Temple, founded by En no Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo mountain asceticism, is also worth visiting. Highlights include Zaodo, Japan's second-largest traditional wooden building after Todaiji Temple's Great Buddha Hall; the National Treasure-designated Niomon Gate; and three statues of Zao Gongen, each standing approximately 7 meters tall.

Ride Japan's oldest ropeway and explore the many attractions of Mount Yoshino.