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.

70 poems across 7 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

Kyoto · Arashiyama

嵐山紅葉の錦神のまにまにまにまかせ散るぞ悲しき

At Arashiyama, autumn's brocade Surrenders to the will of gods— How sorrowful, this scattering of leaves

Oe no Masafusa Heian period

Tokyo · Sumida River

春の夜は桜に明けてしまひけり

The spring night passes— dawn breaks soft through cherry blooms, and so it is done.

Matsuo Basho Edo period

Osaka · Naniwa (Osaka Bay)

なにはがた短き葦のふしのまもあはでこの世をすぐしてよとや

Must I pass through this life without meeting you—not even for the brief space between a reed's joints at Naniwa Bay?

Lady Ise Heian period

Hiroshima · Itsukushima (Miyajima)

安芸の海島の浦廻の岩に生ふるあをによし奈良の都は咲きにけるかも

On autumn shores where island rocks wear mantles green as Nara's hills— has the capital burst into bloom?

Anonymous Nara period

Fukuoka · Dazaifu

東風吹かばにほひおこせよ梅の花あるじなしとて春な忘れそ

When the east wind blows, send your fragrance to me, plum blossoms— even without your master, do not forget the spring.

Sugawara no Michizane Heian period

Kamakura · Kamakura

かくとだにえやはいぶきのさしも草さしも知らじな燃ゆる思ひを

I cannot speak these words aloud— like Ibuki's smoldering mugwort, you will never know how fiercely my heart burns for you.

Fujiwara no Sanekata Heian period