Japanpedia - What are the best things to do in Osaka in spring? Of course some of you already have figured some ideas out. You better take a look at this suggested itinerary to know how to spend two days in Osaka. The itinerary offers you some really good ideas on what to do and see with the top cherry blossom spots. There is nothing I enjoy more than walking under the cherry blossoms whether it is on day time or at night. I do love getting lost in such kind of a stunning outdoor arena. And yes it is lovely to walk under the branches of cherry blossoms in Osaka!


Osaka Castle! Photo Credit: pelican at Flickr.

According to 2017 Japan cherry blossom forecast, sakura will start blooming on March 28. And they will reach to their full bloom period from April 03 to 11. You have to travel here in Osaka to participate in cherry blossom festivals that take place at different locations across the city. If you don’t know the best ones, definitely you are a loser. Please you just don’t fly all the way to Osaka to experience hanami at Osaka Castle Park. I am glad to inform you that there are other notable sakura viewing spots except that one. However, let’s explore and get insights into the top hanami spots as I take you around to see the main highlights.

1) Kema Sakuranomiya Park



You will like walking along this walkway at Kema Sakuranomiya Park. Photo Credit: lasta29 at Flickr.

Kema Sakuranomiya Park is simply a beautiful riverside park with nearly 5,000 cherry treesline along the riverbanks of the Okawa River for several kilometers. It is said to be the most famous cherry blossom spot in Osaka. When it comes to seeing sakura in Osaka, there is no other contender that could beat this magnificent hanami spot.
The park is well organized and locals find it as a good place for morning jogging and strolling all year round. When spring rolls in, the park turns an outstanding place to stroll along the river and enjoy the sakura. It’s amazing to experience the atmosphere it offers during the full bloom period.


Incredible spring beauty! Photo Credit: lasta29 at Flickr.

Being one of the best hanami spots in Japan, every year it attracts thousands of visitors. It becomes full of crowds on the weekend as the environment there is pretty relaxing and perfect for picnicking. The lawn areas along the road are usually taken by many picnickers, while there are many park benches to sit on and watch the glorious sakura. This is such a tranquil pretty place to visit for the ones who really wish to experience the real hanami in Japan.

2) Osaka Castle Park



Osaka Castle and Cherry Blossoms at Night. Photo Credit: Reginald Pentinio at Flickr.

I have heard many travel experts saying that your Osaka trip must always begin with the castle. I don’t agree with it and won’t go there when I see the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the Kema Sakuranomiya Park. I admit it is a great historical site in Osaka and you would definitely enjoy a trip to this astounding park because it highlights the famous Osaka Castle, Nishinomaru Garden (located on the west side of the grounds), Stone walls, Turrets, Gates, and Moats.


Somewhere at the Osaka Castle Park. Photo Credit: Stephen Kelly at Flickr.

This is one of my favorite historical sites that I believe every visitor should try to visit at some point. Without doubt, spring is a great time to visit it but it does not mean you are told not to visit it in autumn. The castle park grounds boast several hundred cherry trees and you can locate them in various places all over the castle keep including the Nishinomaru Garden.
The castle tower and cherry trees are lit up in the evening which creates a magical atmosphere that you would like to recollect for many years. Whatever you do there, just don’t forget to take a leisurely stroll in the park. In addition, discover the museum inside the castle tower for a little bit of history about the castle and Toyotomi Hideyoshi and be filled with wonder! And please note that the place is the best suitable for family outing.

3) Expo 70 Commemorative Park



A beautiful sakura tunnel in the Expo 70 Commemorative Park. Photo Credit: jutoart at Flickr.

Expo 70 Commemorative Park is another renewed hanami spot to enjoy cherry blossom display in Osaka, located in Suita on the outskirts of Osaka city. You can easily get there from Umeda and Namba via the Osaka Monorail, please get off at Banpaku-kinen-koen Station. It is a huge park (260,000 square meters) with a lot of space to walk through. The park grounds are home to 5,000 cherry trees.
Apart from viewing thousands of sakura there you can enjoy the view of the traditional Japanese Garden and the Natural and Cultural Gardens. You can relax in the park and experience a large open air craft market that takes place during the full bloom period. There you can find a list of cute souvenir to bring home and that would surly remind you of the trip.


Hanami picnic at Expo 70 Commemorative Park. Photo Credit: MIKI Yoshihito at Flickr.

You can spend half a day exploring the entire park. You better don’t think of time, just keep exploring everything it offers and if you get hungry, there are food stalls to satisfy your stomach. It has pleasant walkways to enjoy the outdoor nature scenery it offers you in the springtime. Wishing you all the best!

4) Osaka Mint



The sakura tunnel at Osaka Mint. Photo Credit: Tomoharu Mogami at Flickr.

Usually travelers always want to bring home something that will remind them of their trip. You cannot find shop to buy souvenirs there at Osaka Mint but you can take photos of yourself in the walkway where stunning cherry blossoms can be seen nearby. This is obviously one of the most famous places in Osaka to take photograph in the hanami season.
It bustles with sakura flower viewers in the spring and an enjoyable piece of nature. It is not a park; it is more like a garden with a one-way street or sakura walk-through (Torinuke) from the south gate of the Japan Mint to the north gate. Along the walkway there are approximately 349 cherry trees of 133 different kinds. They are truly eye catching.


Incredible scene! Variety of Sakura are in full bloom at Osaka Mint. Photo Credit: Tatters at Flickr.

It is nice walking along the one-way lane street decorated with colorful cherry blossoms. Due to have a diverse collection of sakura trees, locals eagerly wait to spend some times at Osaka Mint to witness hundred varieties of cherry blossoms in one single spot.
Please note that visitors are not allowed to picnic as it is strictly prohibited and the gates of the garden are opened to public for one week in mid April, especially when cherry trees are in full bloom.

5) Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park



Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park Sakura. Photo Credit: japan-guide.com.

Unlike Osaka Mint you can have exciting hanami picnic under cherry trees in the Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park. This is an extremely large park with a lot of space for picnics and relaxation. Expo ’90 (The International Garden and Greenery Exposition) was held in 1990 here on the ground of this park.
The park grounds are really nice to walk through in the spring as you can see cherry trees along with the other seasonal flowers. In fact, this is a perfect picnic spot in Osaka in which you can head to all year round. Every time you visit it, it will welcome you with its variety of seasonal flowers.


Beautiful sakura! Photo Credit: Tomoharu Mogami at Flickr.

The facilities it offers to visitors are incredibly awesome such as a tranquil pond, rose garden, tea ceremony house, lawn, benches, traditional Japanese style garden, International garden, tennis court, children’s playground, golf course, barbecue site and many more. All these features indicate that the park itself is not just a park but much more than that.
This sakura viewing spot is quite different than the rest of the places describe above. Can you tell me what makes it different? The fact is that if you visit the park during the hanami season you will not just see sakura there but also other spring flowers. Anyway, this is a scenic place that you must visit!

Japanpedia Team