Sakurayama

Sakurayama
Sakurayama
	Sakurayama in spring
Highest point
Elevation	591 m (1,939 ft)
Coordinates	36°09′42.1″N 139°01′16.2″E / 36.161694°N 139.021167°E
Naming
Native name	桜山 (Japanese)
Geography
	Sakurayama Sakurayama Sakurayama Sakurayama (Japan)
Country	Japan
State	Gunma Prefecture
Region	Kantō region
Climbing
Easiest route	Hiking
	National Palace of Scenic Beauty Natural Monument

Sakurayama (桜山) is a mountain in the city of Fujioka, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. It is 591 metres (1,939 ft) in height, and was named one of the "100 Sakura Spots in Japan" during Expo '90 by the International Flower and Green Expo Association. It is also a National Place of Scenic Beauty as determined by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan.^[1]

Overview

In premodern times, the mountain was called "Kokuzōsan" and was a center for the Shugendō mountain cults for the worship of Kokūzō Bosatsu. In 1908, the mountain was planted with thousands of Somei Yoshino cherry trees in commemoration of Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War. These trees have evolved or mutated, so that the bloom much earlier than in other locations and the flowers last longer. The mountain was designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1937. The trees on the mountain were designated a Living National Monument in 1948. The mountain became part of the Gunma Prefectural Sakurayama Forest Park in 1989.

The mountain is located on the middle reaches of the Sanba River (三波川) and can be reached in about 35 minutes by car from Fujioka Interchange of yer Joshin'etsu Expressway.