Classical Japanese Poetry for Travelers

Ancient Japan in Poetry

Explore Japan through verse written 1,000–1,300 years ago. Find poems connected to the places you are visiting.

40 poems across 4 prefectures

Find poems by destination

Featured poems

世の中に絶えて桜のなかりせば春の心はのどけからまし

If only cherry blossoms never existed in this world— how peaceful our spring hearts would be

Ariwara no Narihira Heian period

· Kasugano

Spring

春の野に霞たなびきうら悲しこの夕かげに鶯鳴くも

Across the spring meadow, mist trails softly— a tender sadness fills my heart as the warbler sings in evening's fading light

Otomo no Yakamochi Nara period

· Yoshinoyama

Spring

あしひきの山桜花日並べてかく咲きたらばいかに愛でまし

If these wild mountain cherries could bloom on, day after day— how endlessly I would adore them

Otomo no Tabito Nara period

· Kasugataisha

Spring

春過ぎて夏来にけらし白妙の衣ほすてふ天の香具山

Spring has slipped away— Summer arrives, they say, as white robes dry on sacred Mount Kagu

Empress Jitō Asuka period

· Nara Park

Autumn

奈良山の小松が下に隠れたる小菅の菅を誰かいたまむ

Beneath young pines on Nara's hills, a tender sedge lies hidden— who will notice it, who will care?

Anonymous Nara period

· Asuka

Autumn

飛鳥川もみちば流る葛城の山の秋風吹きにけるかも

Down the Asuka River autumn leaves drift and swirl— the wind from Katsuragi has spoken.

Anonymous Nara period