Introduction to Cherry Blossom Season
Cherry blossom (or sakura) season is the most beautiful time of the year in Japan. I have never realized how many cherry trees there are in Osaka, until they all started to bloom. Every street and every park that may have seemed shabby at first turned into the loveliest place covered in white and light pink flowers. There are thousands of cherry blossom trees everywhere in Japan and for two weeks they turn the whole country into a dreamy place. There’s no wonder that this time of the year also attracts the most tourists from all over the world. cherry blossoms in osaka where to see cherry blossoms in osaka
The sakura season in Kansai region (Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto) starts at the end of March and continues until about the 10th of April with the flowers being in their peak around 4.-6. April, before they start to fall down. Tokyo enjoys the blossoms about a week earlier. The dates can change depending on weather during winter, for example if the winter is warm, the flowers will start to bloom earlier.
If you are planning to visit Japan during this season, you will not be disappointed. It’s truly marvellous. Here some popular places in Osaka, where you can enjoy famous Japanese hanami parties. Hanami is a Japanese expression for flower viewing and locals love to spend the time outdoors, eat and drink with friends and family and watch sakura for hours.
Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Castle is a mandatory stop when visiting this city, however, during cherry blossom season it can get overlooked by the park surrounding it. There are about 4000 sakura trees in the park, which makes is the perfect spot not only for hanami picnics, but also to take some wonderful pictures with the majestic castle in the backdrop.
Sakuranomiya Park
Walking distance from the Osaka Castle, there is another breathtaking place for cherry blossom viewing. Sakuranomiya Park is my personal favourite. It lines the river for several kilometres, where you can watch boats passing by, you can find here over 5000 cherry trees and there are plenty of grass areas to have picnic. You can really spend half a day just exploring this area.
Osaka Mint Bureau Museum
Osaka Mint is actually a coin museum, however they open their gardens every year for free for one week only in April when the trees are in full bloom. There are over 100 varieties of cherry trees on relatively small space, which makes is particularly charming. However, be aware that there’s a strict rule of no drinks and food (so no picnics are allowed). The Mint museum is located just on the other side of the river from the Sakuranomiya Park.
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
Tsurumi Ryokuchi is a large public park on the north of the city that served as a site for flower exhibition in 1990. Besides hundreds of cherry trees lining the park and plenty of grass space for your picnic, you can also find here about 50 smaller gardens that represent different countries around the world, including a windmill and a pond.
Expo 70' Commemorative Park
Expo 70’ Commemorative Park is the former place of the World Exhibition in 1970 in Osaka, which was the first of its kind in Asia and it exhibited more than 75 pavilions to show off the world’s wonders. Today, the park has become a popular place for outdoor activities and one of the best place for hanami picnics. There are over 5000 cherry blossom trees planted all around the spacious grounds, where you can also find traditional Japanese garden and Nation Museum of Ethnology. Park is located about 30 minutes by train north from city center but it is surely worth the ride.
I hope this article will help you plan your trip to Japan during cherry blossom season. Don’t forget to check out the best places to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto as well to make the most of your stay in Japan! If you are visiting Osaka some other time of the year, head to my previous articles about the best places to see in Osaka, and unmissable dishes to try here.
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