During Japanese rule, the Japanese planted cherry trees at Alishan to stave off feelings of homesickness. Varieties planted included Oshima, Azuma-nishiki, Ukon and Fugenzo cherries, but the most numerous was the simple-petaled Yoshino cherry.
日治時期，日本人為解思鄉之情，在阿里山廣植各種櫻花，包括大島櫻、東錦櫻、鬱金櫻、普賢象櫻… … 等等，其中又以單瓣的吉野櫻最多。