Mount Yoshino, Nara

#cherryblossom25 Mount Yoshino is a legend when it comes to cherry blossom viewing — and now I understand why. This mountainside in Nara is literally blanketed in sakura, with over 30,000 trees planted across different elevations. That means a longer viewing season and layered views that look like a cascading pink waterfall from above. I followed the #cherryblossom25 tag to plan this trip, and it turned into a full-day adventure. I hiked up from the lower area (Shimo Senbon), stopping at little teahouses and shrines along the way, eventually reaching the upper section (Kami Senbon) where the panoramic views are just breathtaking. You can see waves of cherry blossoms flowing down the mountain, mixed with temple rooftops and forest greens — it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. I even stayed overnight at a local ryokan to catch the sunrise over the sakura — unforgettable. This was easily the most epic sakura moment of my #cherryblossom25 trail.