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A Complete Turn from the Excitement of the Future to a Sacred Land Where 1,300 Years of Silence Sleep: Autumn Touring in Mount Yoshino
A premium healing journey to fully enjoy ancient history, overwhelming spectacular views, and blissful kuzu sweets in the crystal-clear air before the autumn leaves

A Complete Turn from the Excitement of the Future to a Sacred Land Where 1,300 Years of Silence Sleep: Autumn Touring in Mount Yoshino

[Disclosure] This article contains affiliate links.

The Base of the Journey is the Renowned Inn 'Chikurin-in,' Where History Breathes. Resting Your Beloved Bike and Entering Premium Silence

October 2025. Stepping away from the overwhelming excitement of the future showcased by the Osaka Expo, I found myself inexplicably longing for 'silence.' With my heart still pounding, I straddled my beloved bike, opened the throttle, and headed for Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture, where the ancient atmosphere remains strong. For this healing journey, I chose the renowned inn 'Chikurin-in', quietly nestled between Naka-Senbon and Kami-Senbon, as my base. Taking off my helmet and standing before the magnificent temple gate that makes you look up, I was enveloped in a dignified air that naturally straightened my spine. The weight of history, where ascetic monks once purified themselves and many writers and artists wielded their brushes, seems to ooze from every corner of the wooden architecture.

When touring, the problem that always troubles the mind is 'where to park the bike.' However, at Chikurin-in, such worries were completely unnecessary. The sense of liberation the moment I rested my bike in the spacious private parking lot and threw off my heavy riding jacket was indescribable. With lightened steps, I headed to the scenic 'Gunpo-en' garden, said to have been designed by Sen no Rikyu. Although the signs of autumn were creeping in, the trees were still filled with deep green. In the garden, where the shadows of tourists were sparse, only the sound of the wind swaying the bamboo grass echoed.

And above all, the most luxurious experience is the 'dawn and dusk of Yoshino' that only guests can taste. Taking a deep breath of the cool mountain air under a sky full of stars is truly blissful. If you want to enjoy the profound charm of Mount Yoshino to the bone, making Chikurin-in your base camp is the perfect answer. Why not feel this premium silence on your own skin?
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A Must-See for Riders! Mount Yoshino's Parking Fees and Traffic Regulations Changing from Autumn 2025

Here, I have an important notice that I must convey to all riders planning to ride their beloved bikes to Mount Yoshino. Actually, from October 1, 2025, the Mount Yoshino Tourist Parking Lot in the Shimo-Senbon area has taken a major shift to 'year-round paid parking.' In the past, you could easily park for free during the off-season, but the system has been newly reborn to connect the beautiful landscape of this World Heritage site to the future. Even if you drop by casually to feel the autumn breeze like I did, parking fees will be firmly charged depending on the period, so prior research will make or break your trip.

I have summarized the fee structure from autumn 2025 onwards in the table below. Especially during the peak of autumn leaves when the mountain surface is dyed a burning red, or in early spring when the 'Hitome Senbon' cherry blossoms are in full bloom, not only do the fees fluctuate, but quite strict traffic regulations are also enforced. Sweet thoughts like 'I might be able to slip through because it's a bike' will not work at all. During pedestrian-only hours, motorcycles are also completely shut out, so choose your route carefully. That is exactly why securing an 'inn where you can definitely park your bike' like Chikurin-in introduced earlier, and exploring freely on your own feet from there, becomes an overwhelmingly stress-free and smart choice.

PeriodMotorcycles (Bikes)Passenger CarsRemarks
Oct 1 - Oct 19Free500 yenInitial introduction setting
Oct 20 - Nov 30500 yen1,000 yenAutumn leaves peak fee
Dec 1 - Mar 19Free500 yenWinter off-season fee


Furthermore, the introduction of a complete reservation system during the spring cherry blossom season is also being whispered, making casual 'spur-of-the-moment' trips a bit more difficult. To make your precious touring the best memory, absolutely do not forget to check the traffic information before departure.

Spectacular Views Found at Walking Speed. The Overwhelming Scale of 'Kinpusen-ji Temple' and the Historical Stage of 'Yoshimizu Shrine'

After leaving my beloved bike in the parking lot of Chikurin-in and changing from riding boots to comfortable sneakers, I headed to the center of Mount Yoshino. Leisurely walking down Prefectural Route 15, this path is a premium walking route where just walking makes you feel the deep faith and breath of history of Yoshino seeping into your skin. Turning a curve, towering ahead as the view suddenly opens up is the Zao-do Hall of 'Kinpusen-ji Temple', the symbol of Mount Yoshino. Looking straight up at one of Japan's largest wooden structures, you are left speechless by its sheer scale and impact. Thanks to aiming for the quiet period just before the autumn leaves season, the figures of worshippers were sparse. I was able to burn into my eyes to my heart's content the texture of the pillars shining black after many years and the exquisite carvings under the eaves.

Continuing down the slope while immersed in the afterglow of Zao-do, you arrive at 'Yoshimizu Shrine', where leading figures of history such as Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Emperor Go-Daigo left their footprints. On that stage where Japanese history surged greatly, a shoin (study) that strongly retains the vestiges of those days stood quietly. And what I absolutely want you to ready your camera for here is the spectacular view of 'Hitome Senbon' (a thousand trees at a glance) overlooking from the precincts. This slope, which is dyed a pale cherry blossom color all over the mountain in spring, drew a gradient of deep green full of vitality at the entrance of autumn, and the endlessly continuing ridgeline beautifully melted into the blue of the sky.

If I had passed by while riding my bike, I would never have noticed the soft rustling of the trees swaying in the wind or the scent of incense drifting from the old halls. Precisely because it was the speed of stepping firmly one step at a time with my own feet, I feel I was able to receive the 'energy' of the sacred land that has been protected and passed down for 1,300 years with every cell of my body. When visiting Mount Yoshino, please be sure to choose your favorite comfortable walking shoes as your companion.

A Blissful Break Time Monopolizing the Spectacular View. Encountering Authentic Kuzu Sweets at the Renowned Shop 'Shizukatei'

Around the time I felt a pleasant fatigue in my calves from walking around the approach with its ups and downs. Lured by a softly drifting sweet scent, I passed through the noren curtain of 'Shizukatei', a shop located on high ground in the Naka-Senbon area. It is close to Chikurin-in, and the window seats offer a truly premium spot where you can overlook the majestic mountain range of Yoshino like a single painting. This time, I decided to spend a blissful break time here with exquisite sweets luxuriously using Yoshino's world-renowned specialty, 'Yoshino Honkuzu' (authentic Yoshino arrowroot).

What was brought to me were kuzumochi and kuzu pudding, gleaming like jewels in jet-black bowls. The moment I scooped it up with a spoon and gently brought it to my mouth... my eyes widened involuntarily. It was a transparently smooth texture going down the throat and a powerful elasticity that pushes back, overturning the concept of kuzumochi I had tasted so far. The elegant sweetness emitted only by authentic Yoshino Honkuzu gently permeates every corner of my tired body from walking. When entangled with fragrant kinako (roasted soybean flour) and thick, rich kuromitsu (black sugar syrup), the spoon just won't stop. This time spent savoring while monopolizing the spectacular view of Naka-Senbon spreading outside the window was, to say the least, absolutely the best.

Along the approach to Mount Yoshino, besides Shizukatei, there are rows of attractive shops serving carefully crafted kuzu sweets and the famous persimmon leaf sushi. I also tried hopping around a few shops that caught my eye to compare kuzu puddings, and everywhere offered masterpieces shining with artisan skills, with absolutely no misses. If you visit Mount Yoshino, it would be a waste to go home without knowing this authentic taste. By all means, please try to find your favorite shop.

Riding Up Kami-Senbon with My Beloved Bike. The National Treasure 'Yoshino Mikumari Shrine' Enveloped in Deep Silence

Finishing the leisurely stroll through Naka-Senbon and Shimo-Senbon on foot, I returned to my beloved bike waiting at Chikurin-in. Firing up the engine, I opened the throttle this time aiming even deeper into Mount Yoshino, from Kami-Senbon to the Oku-Senbon area. From here on is a section that can truly be called the true worth of a motorcycle, with a succession of steep uphill slopes and tight winding roads. As I gained altitude while cutting through the chilly mountain air through my helmet, the hustle and bustle of the world below quickly faded away, and I fell into the sensation of being sucked into the bosom of deep nature, like another world.

Passing through a few corners, a dense cedar grove suddenly appears. Enshrined quietly as if hiding itself in the depths is 'Yoshino Mikumari Shrine', which worships the god of water. Said to have been rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori, this shrine is a precious place that conveys the gorgeous architectural style of the Momoyama period to the present day. Passing through the profound two-story gate, a breathtaking spatial beauty woven by the main hall and worship hall arranged to surround the courtyard spread out. Its appearance, which is also designated as a National Treasure, is by no means flashy, but it emits an overwhelming presence as if the traditional beauty of Japan has been condensed.

By the way, there is only parking space for a few vehicles near the entrance of the shrine, and it seems you would struggle quite a bit to find a place to park if visiting by car. However, with a highly mobile motorcycle, being able to smartly approach even narrow spaces is a rider's privilege. In this season, still a little early for autumn leaves, the figures of worshippers are sparse. In the precincts where only the chirping of birds and the sound of the wind swaying the trees echoed, I felt the worldly thoughts of daily life smoothly disappear. If you want to touch the 'true depth' of Mount Yoshino, this is a power spot you absolutely cannot miss.

Into the Abyss of Shugendo. The Innermost Sacred Land 'Kinpu Shrine' and the Yoshitsune Hiding Tower Where History Approaches

The highlight set for this touring is 'Kinpu Shrine', quietly enshrined in the deepest part of Mount Yoshino, the Oku-Senbon area. I dashed up the steep mountain road that narrows even further from Kami-Senbon in one go, confirming the heartbeat of the engine. The place I arrived at was a 'mountain of asceticism' of 100% purity, having completely discarded its face as a tourist destination. A piercingly cold and sacred air is tautly stretched all around. Passing through the torii gate standing straight in the silence and climbing up the steep approach while catching my breath, the main hall appeared, emitting a strength precisely because its decorations have been stripped away.

As I walked further, the 'Yoshitsune Hiding Tower', where Minamoto no Yoshitsune is said to have hidden to escape the eyes of his pursuers, stood quietly as if protected by the densely overgrown trees. Looking up at the small hall left alone in the dim forest, it was as if Yoshitsune's loneliness and stinging sense of urgency at the time, which can never be experienced in history textbooks, were approaching my heart across time. If you stretch your legs a little, there is also an animal trail leading to Saigyo-an, where the monk Saigyo abandoned the world and lived in seclusion, making me involuntarily stop and think deeply about what the ancient practitioners prayed for and faced in this harsh great nature...

A deserted, privately reserved mountain road that I could encounter precisely because I slightly missed the peak of the autumn leaves. Cutting through the wind with my beloved bike, and finally stepping into the abyss of history with my own feet. Precisely because it was right after witnessing the cutting-edge future of the Osaka Expo, the overwhelming spirituality of Mount Yoshino, which has not wavered at all for 1,300 years, echoed painfully in my dry heart. If you feel a little tired of the hustle and bustle of daily life, by all means, put on your helmet and aim for Oku-Senbon. Surely, the best reset is waiting for you.

From the Excitement of the Future to 1,300 Years of Silence. A Heart-Fulfilling Mount Yoshino Touring

Precisely because it was right after experiencing the cutting-edge future showcased by the Osaka Expo, the silence of Mount Yoshino, where history and faith breathe, resonated even more deeply in my heart. By setting the renowned inn Chikurin-in as a base camp and combining the mobility of my beloved bike with my own feet, I feel I was able to fully taste the charm of this vast sacred land to the bone. The crystal-clear air before the autumn leaves, the exquisite kuzu sweets that satisfy the five senses, and the taut, sacred space of Oku-Senbon. When you want to get away from the noise of daily life, empty your mind and body, and reset... at such times, please try drawing Mount Yoshino on your touring route for next weekend. Surely, an unforgettable scenery is waiting for you.

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