【2018 Edition】10 Select Photogenic Cherry Blossom Spots in Osaka

1. Path of Cherry Blossoms at Japan Mint

Founded in 1871, Japan Mint produces coins, medals and other items. Within its grounds, there is a path lined with cherry blossoms that is famous for being one of the best cherry blossom spots in Osaka. With about 350 trees of 130 types of cherry blossoms blooming over a distance of approximately 560m, this road is open to the public for only one week each year. Majority of the cherry blossom trees are of Yae-zakura (double-flowered cherry blossoms) variety, so the best time for viewing is a little later than usual. Aside from those trees, there are also some rare types that are quite difficult to find anywhere else. At night, you will be able to enjoy night-time cherry blossoms that are dimly lit by paper-covered lanterns. This spot is included in the list of Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites in Japan.

Usual season: Mid-April
Opening dates for 2018: Wednesday, April 11 - Tuesday, April 17

2. Osaka Castle Park

Osaka Castle Park is a park that is centered on the Main Tower of Osaka Castle, one of the tourist spots that best represents Osaka. Inside the park grounds are about 3,000 cherry trees, and during spring, you will get to marvel at a beautiful landscape, where everything is covered in light pink petals, from huge stonewalls to moats. A must-see in this park is the Nishinomaru Garden that houses approximately 300 cherry trees, mostly of the Somei Yoshino variety. This garden is lit up at night, so you will be able to see illuminated cherry blossoms. Meanwhile, the Tamatsukuri-guchi Entrance has late-blooming Yae-zakura trees, so you will be able to gaze at beautiful flowers over a longer period here. This park has been chosen as one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites in Japan.

Usual season: Early April
Nishinomaru Garden admission fee: Adult: 200 JPY

3. Kema Sakuranomiya Park

Okawa is a river that flows through the heart of Osaka which is dubbed as the “city of water”. The river bank from Kema Araizeki (submerged weir) to Temma Bridge in the downstream segment of the river has been turned into an approximately 4.2km long riverside park called Kema Sakuranomiya, and is famous for its cherry blossoms. There are around 4,800 cherry blossom trees standing side by side along the river, attracting throngs of sightseers each year. The stretch of cherry trees from Temma Bridge to Sakuranomiya Bridge (Gin Bridge) is especially gorgeous. It is also recommended to admire the cherry blossoms here by getting on the water bus Aqualiner (required time: approx. 55 minutes) that goes around Okawa River. You can enjoy the spring landscape together with the retro buildings along the river, including the Japan Mint building.

Usual season: Late March - Mid-April
Aqualiner fare: Adult: 2,000 JPY (special spring period from March 28 until April 15)

4. Around Kishiwada Castle

Kishiwada Castle is the symbol of Kishiwada area in southern Osaka. There are about 170 cherry trees around the castle that create emotionally moving spring scenery for guests. The most recommended way for flower viewing here is to look at the beautiful cherry blossoms from around the moat where many of the trees are, and with the castle in the background. There is a festival at the castle held during the cherry blossom season, and during the festival, the cherry trees are illuminated at night. The beauty of the night cherry blossoms lit by paper-covered lanterns is truly a sight to behold.

Usual season: Late March - Early April
Castle tower admission fee: Adult: 300 JPY

5. Expo \'70 Commemorative Park

The Expo \'70 Commemorative Park stands on the site that served as the venue of the Japan World Exposition in 1970. The grounds of this park are covered in about 5,500 cherry trees of nine varieties, including Somei Yoshino, Yae-zakura and weeping cherry blossom trees, and each area is filled with attractions. Out of all the spots here, though, the one you need to see is Higashioji Street that is lined with cherry blossom trees. The trees are illuminated at night during the Cherry Blossom Festival, so you will have your fill of breathtaking views. There is also a Japanese garden, museum and large-size playground equipment, so you can spend all day here. This park is on the list of Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites in Japan.

Usual season: Late March - Early April
Admission fee: Adult: 250 JPY, Elementary/Junior High School Student: 70 JPY

6. Katsuo-ji Temple

Katsuo-ji Temple, also known as the “temple of winner’s luck”, is a historic temple that was built in 727. Its approximately 264,000 sq.m. temple grounds are covered in various types of cherry blossoms, such as the Kanhi-zakura that blooms in March, as well as the weeping sakura, Sato-zakura and mountain cherry blossom trees. There is a large number of late-blooming cherry blossom trees here, so they reach their peak blooming period right around the time the cherry blossoms begin to fall in the city. At this temple, you will get to enjoy a wonderful view that interweaves the flowers with the temple building such as the main temple gate that will welcome you with splendid weeping cherry blossoms.

Usual season: Late March - Early May
Admission fee: Adult: 400 JPY, Elementary/Junior High School Student: 300 JPY

7. Sayamaike Park

Sayamaike Park is a park that is listed as one of Japan’s Top 100 Historical Parks. Aiming to become the spot where the cherry blossoms bloom the earliest in the prefecture, this park is planted with about 1,400 cherry trees on the circuit path around the pond, mainly the Koshino Higan variety which blooms early. The cherry blossoms here usually come into bloom starting late March, but there are Yae-zakura trees around the Sayamaike Museum which bloom late, so you will be able to enjoy gazing at cherry blossoms for a long period. The north embankment is lit up at night. Further, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held every first Saturday of April.

Usual season: Late March - Mid-April

8. Yamanakadani

Yamanakadani district in Hannan City, near Osaka\'s prefectural border with Wakayama, is an area that, at one time, flourished as an inn town on the road linking the two prefectures. Today, the old townscape reminiscent of the past remains intact. There are rows of cherry blossom trees spanning 1km on both sides of the river, where about a thousand trees of various types of cherry blossoms, such as Somei Yoshino, mountain cherry and other kinds, bloom. The trees are illuminated at night, creating a beguiling scenery.

Usual season: Late March - Mid-April

9. Ibaraki Benten

Official name: Bentenshu Hiryusan Meio-ji
Ibaraki Benten is a famous spot for cherry blossoms. Beautiful cherry blossoms bloom on about 500 trees such as Somei Yoshino, weeping and other varieties of cherry blossom trees within the grounds of the temple. The cherry blossom tunnel that runs from the approach leading to the temple up to the temple grounds is stunning. If you visit when the flowers are in full bloom, you can walk along the rows of cherry blossom trees while being enveloped in an ethereal atmosphere where the petals are falling as if they are dancing. The trees are also lit up at night.

Usual Season: Late March - Early April

10. Settsukyo Park

Settsukyo (Settsu Gorge) is a picturesque spot that has also been designated as a place of scenic beauty in the prefecture. Settsukyo Park, which offers hiking trails, campground and other facilities, is home to about 3,000 cherry trees so that during spring, you will get to enjoy a view of the cherry blossoms together with the view of the gorge with its strangely shaped rocks and cliffs. Recommended here is the Sakura Square that has about 230 cherry trees. During the Cherry Blossom Festival that takes place each year, you can gaze at cherry blossoms together with the faint light from paper-covered lanterns (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

Usual season: Late March - Early April

The above list is a highlight of the famous cherry blossom spots that represent Osaka. Try to actually visit so you can soak in the incredible views that you can only see in spring.