Where to See the Best Cherry Blossoms in Osaka

Osaka, the city that can represent the western part of Japan, Kansai, is also a good place to see the cherry blossoms. Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo for about 2.5 hours at the end of March, or stay here for a little longer until early April for the full bloom, you will meet the city surrounded by fancy flowers. As for the best places to view the cherry blossoms, just check out the below information.

Osaka Castle Park

About a 20-minute walk from Osakajoken Station is Osaka Castle Park, a spot where the castle, huge stone walls, and cherry blossoms in full bloom create a beautiful harmony. The Nishinomaru Garden in the park, which is designated as an important cultural property of the city, is a popular place to view the cherry blossoms. In addition to the 3000 cherry blossom trees, various flowers, such as the plum grove are also in full bloom.

Take a stroll along the petal path, relax on a bench under the cherry blossoms, or capture a picture of the giant white Osaka Castle with its dreamy flowers and soft sunshine. The night visit is also highly recommended. Every year, during the flowering season, the trees and buildings are lit up at night, therefore you can also enjoy the fantastic night cherry blossoms as well as the splendid castle, which can give you a very different feeling from the daytime.

Osaka Castle Park

Okawa River with Kema Sakuranomiya Park and Mint Bureau

With many rivers running through it, Osaka is also known as the city of water. The Okawa is one of the rivers that flow through this city. On both banks of the river are famous cherry blossom spots that represent Osaka, such as Kema Sakuranomiya Park and the Mint Bureau.

One of the best ways to see the cherry blossoms in Osaka is by boat. Kema Sakuranomiya Park is a park with a total length of 4.2 km that stretches along both banks of the Okawa River, about 10 minutes away from the Osaka station. At the end of March, about 4800 cherry blossom trees were in full bloom. So take the water bus and have a slow enjoyment of the flowers along your side as well as some traditional Japanese buildings that will take you back to the Meiji era.

Following the Okawa River, you can descend to the Mint Bureau, where 300 cherry trees with more than 100 varieties have been planted. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the promenade lined with sakura trees is transformed into a white and pink cherry blossom tunnel, where you can slow down and walk through the 500-meter tunnel.

Besides viewing the flowers during the daytime, walking along the river and cherry blossom viewing cruises at night are also good and unique ways to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Find a nice café or restaurant along the river and enjoy the delicacy of the orange afternoon petals, which can be quite romantic as the neon lights gradually come on.

Okawa River

Expo Commemoration Park

About a 30-minute drive north of Osaka Station is the Expo Commemoration Park. Famous for Taro Okamoto's statue, Tower of the Sun, Expo Commemoration Park has about 5,500 cherry trees of nine varieties, including the famous Somei-Yoshino, the cherry blossom in light pink and Yamazakura, the white sakura blossom.

The cherry blossom festival is held every year, where you can enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms at night. There is also large playground equipment, an art museum, and a Japanese garden on the premises, so you can enjoy plenty of activities throughout the day.

It is easy to find a spot for your Hanami experience in Osaka, either in the park with its ancient buildings and winding paths or on the riverside petal promenade. Daytime visits are a little busier with the festival atmosphere, while night viewing is also a good time to enjoy the extra charm of the cherry blossoms. If it is hard to decide where to go for your Japan Cherry Blossom visit, just leave the planning to Odynovo, your expert team for your Japan tour.