Osaka 2024: 7 of the best cherry blossoms viewing spots

Sprawling beneath Osaka Castle, this picturesque park is planted with around 3,000 cherry blossom trees, including Somei-Yoshino varieties. The lawn area beside the Minami-sotobori is a particularly popular area for banquets, so it’s essential that you reserve a space early in the morning.

Barbecues have also been permitted on the east side of the Higashi-sotobori in previous years but check with the official website in advance regarding this year’s regulations. Please note that leaving spaces unattended or reserving them with ropes is not allowed in Osaka Castle Park.

Access: a seven-minute walk from Osakajokoen Station on the Osaka Loop Line
Nearby food options: gourmet food stalls, convenience stores, plenty of eateries
Toilets: several places around the cherry blossom viewing spot (please check with staff before using toilet facilities at establishments)

Osaka Castle Park

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Osakajou

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Hotel New Otani Osaka

1-4-1 Shiromi, Chuo-ku Osaka

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Stretching to the west of Osaka Castle, the Nishinomaru Garden is another popular cherry blossom-viewing destination, with around 300 (mostly Somei-Yoshino) trees planted here.

It offers impressive views of the castle and its stone-walled moat, with the admission fee for the garden helping to keep crowds down.

A night viewing event is also held during the peak blooming period, backed by the illuminated keep of Osaka Castle. Several food stalls cluster in the park during the season, creating a festival-like atmosphere.

Access: a 14-minute walk from Tanimachi 4-chome Station on the Osaka Metro’s Chuo Line/Tanimachi Line
Nearby food options: convenience stores, plenty of eateries
Toilets: several places in the park, including two beyond the Nishi-sotobori

Nishinomaru Garden

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Osakajou 2

[Mar.-Oct.]9:00-17:00[Nov.-F…

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Dating to 1334, the Kishiwada Castle was reconstructed in 1954 after being largely destroyed by lightning at the end of the 19th century. This impressive landmark is planted with around 170 cherry trees that ignite in the spring and can be enjoyed during banquets beneath the blooms. The castle is also illuminated at night, and several food stalls are set up in the surrounds selling local gourmet specialties, such as takoyaki and grilled squid.

Access: a seven-minute walk from Kishiwada Station or Takojizo Station on the Nankai Main Line
Nearby food options: food stalls, convenience stores, and restaurants
Toilets: several places around the cherry blossom viewing spot (please check with staff before using toilet facilities at establishments)

Kishiwada Castle

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Osaka Kishiwadashi Kishikichou 9-1

0724313251

10:00-17:00(Last entry16:00)

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Famed for its Tower of the Sun and seasonal floral displays, the Expo'70 Commemorative Park is planted with around 5,500 cherry trees and has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Hundreds of people flock here to enjoy banquets and barbecues during the cherry blossom season, so try to arrive early to ensure you can find a place. But it’s also worth staying until after dark when the festival area is beautifully illuminated.

Access: a four-minute walk from the Osaka Monorail’s Bampaku-kinen-kōen Station or five minutes from Koen Higashiguchi Station
Nearby food options: convenience stores, shops, and restaurants
Toilets: several places in the park (5+ around the Higashi-no-hiroba (East Plaza))

Expo’70 Commemorative Park

Osaka Suitashi Senribampakukouen 1-1

0120197089

9:30-17:00 (Entry hours are …

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Minamisenri Crystal Hotel

1-2-D9, Tsukumodai, Suita-shi Osaka

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Utsubo Park is the largest park in Osaka and home to picturesque fountains, rose gardens and a tennis center that holds regular tournaments. It’s divided into two areas - Higashi-en and Nishi-en - with the former being the main cherry blossom viewing spot.

Banquets with rugs are allowed during the season while playground equipment makes it particularly appealing for families with children. While there is no light-up event, the surrounding streetlights remain on until 9:00 pm if you want to stay until after sunset.

Access: a nine-minute walk from the Osaka Metro’s Hommachi Station
Nearby food options: convenience stores and restaurants
Toilets: several places around the cherry blossom viewing spot (please check with staff before using toilet facilities at establishments)

Utsubo Park

Osaka prefecture Osaka-shi Nishi-ku Shimamoto cho

0669411144

open everyday

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Cityroute Hotel

2-3-6 UtsuboHonmachi, Nishi-Ku Osaka

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While the Osaka Mint is known primarily for manufacturing coins, it allows people to enter its grounds in mid-April each year to admire more than 300 cherry trees as they come into bloom.

This “passage” tradition along what was formerly known as the Yodo River began in 1883, with over 100 different kinds of cherry trees planted here that include the late-flowering Yaezakura.

The trees are illuminated with paper lanterns after sunset to create a truly magical scene. Eating and drinking are not permitted within the grounds, and you must walk in one direction only, from the south gate on the Temmabashi side towards the Sakuranomiya Bridge.

Access: an eight-minute walk from Temmabashi Station

Osaka Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Viewing

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Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Tenma 1-1-79

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[Weekday]10:00-19:30[Saturda…

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Sprawling along both banks of the Okawa River, Kema Sakuranomiya Park features a waterfront promenade that’s planted with almost 5,000 cherry trees. They can be admired while strolling along the river or aboard one of the boats that cruise the waterway. Food stalls line the route during the festival period, so you can grab a bite to eat as you walk. Alternatively, banquets are also permitted on the adjacent lawns if you prefer a leisurely picnic.

Access: an 18-minute walk from Sakuranomiya Station on the Osaka Loop Line or 16 minutes from Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome
Nearby food options: food stalls, convenience stores, and restaurants
Toilets: several places in the park and in the Osaka Amenity Park (please check with staff before using toilet facilities at establishments)

Kema Sakuranomiya Park

Osaka prefecture Osaka city Kita-ku - Miyakojima

Open 24 hours

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the Japan Meteorological Agency released forecast for when the cherry blossoms will start to flower across the country.

It’s important to remember that the forecast will change from time to time, depending on the weather conditions, so check periodically before booking your travel dates.

Aside from website such as Release of Cherry Blossom Forecast, you can also take advantage of the Sakura Navi app to monitor the forecast and receive notifications when you are close to a cherry blossom viewing spot.