(10-18km)
This is a nice hike around Yoshino, which for two weeks in spring is the most crowded place in Japan, but nearly empty the rest of the year. From Kintetsu Yoshino station, a 300 yen cable car (or short and steep trail) leads to the quaint little town of Yoshino, complete with the impressive Kimpusenji temple, notable with the steeply angled roof showing distinct Chinese influence, in addition to more souvenir shops than you could ever want in a lifetime. But this is Japan so they are all small.
This hike will wrap around the hills surrounding Yoshino and connects with numerous other long distance trails in the region. Start at Kintetsu Yoshino station. Outside of the station in the parking lot there are poster maps; look at this for the Kinki long distance trail, it is marked throughout the length of the trail with green dragonflies. Kinki kind of means Kansai. This will be your trail. But before you find the actual trail you must walk up the main road for 200m, turn a soft right at the 
apartment building (turn is marked). Follow signs. After 4 km, trail splits to Miyataki trail to the left and on up
Yoshino Mountain to the right. Climbing up you will pass picturesque farms, later to be replaced higher up by thick cedar forest. Omine trail is at the top of the mountain, this trail goes really far in multiple directions. Go back down through Yoshino village to make a loop and return to the station. As of 2006, a bus ran from Yoshino station towards the top of the mountain, but it might be only during cherry season. This hike is more of an adventure, not many people seem to know about it.