Popular cherry blossom spots in Osaka (with Google Maps)
2019-02-01
Popular cherry blossom spots in Osaka (with Google Maps)
It's time for cherry blossoms!!
Many countries around the world have cherry blossoms but when you think of Japan, the two images that pop to your mind are Mt. Fuji & cherry blossoms, isn't it?
The time of the year that everyone in Japan is waiting for with bated breath: Spring brings with it warmth and the delicate elegance of the pink blossom. Are you ready for sakura? Spring is almost here so let's gear up and gather all the information necessary for your trip to Japan.
We have created six regional guides with our recommended spots for cherry blossoms to make your life easy and this one highlights those in OSAKA.
You can narrow down your choices with the help of our list!
Cherry blossom forecast for 2019
The following are the most well-known websites for weather updates in Osaka!
Tenki.jp (Updated on February 7, 2019)
First bloom: March 25
Full bloom: April 1Weathernews (Updated on February 7, 2019)
First bloom: March 24
Full bloom: March 30Weathermap (Updated on February 7, 2019)
First bloom: March 26
Full bloom: April 2
Get access information, details like opening times, peak season by clicking on the "Details" for each spot. Note that the best viewing period is based on previous year's data.
Expo Commemoration Park
Expo Commemoration Park was built on the site of the Japan World Exposition that was held in Osaka in 1970. This huge park holds numerous institutions, such as museums, sports and recreational facilities and hot springs. In spring, nine varieties of cherry trees totaling over 5,500 trees bloom all together. It has been selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites."
The Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually from late March through early April. There are various activities including a ceramic market and numerous food stalls open during this event. A barbecue corner is also set up to enjoy under the cherry trees.
For more on the Expo Commemoration Park
Japan Mint: Arch of Cherry Blossoms
On the premises of the Japan Mint in Osaka, there is a 560-meter-long street that is lined with 370 cherry trees. This is a very famous cherry blossom viewing site in Osaka. The street is generally not accessible to the public, but it is open for a week during cherry blossom season every year. Many visitors are drawn to this beautiful location. Known as "Sakura no Torinuke," literally meaning passing through blossoms, it has been appreciated over the years as Osaka's spring tradition since 1883. There are about 130 varieties of cherry trees, so you will get to see some rare specimens.
The cherry trees are lit up at night in a unique manner. Traditional lanterns called "Bonbori" light up the trees. The cherry blossoms shine with the gentle glow of the lanterns creating an enchanting atmosphere. This unique setting offers you a special night of cherry blossom viewing that can be experienced only on this street.
For more on Japan Mint
Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Castle was built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who once managed to unify the whole country, and has been a location of many historic events ever since. Its surrounding is made into Osaka Castle Park with a densely vegetated area of 105.6 hectares. This park, which houses 13 important cultural heritages, is a famous sakura (cherry blossoms) spot during spring with approximately 3,000 trees of somei yoshino, yama zakura (hill cherry) and yaezakura variety. Especially Nishinomaru Garden is recommended, where you can see 300 sakura trees. Here, you can see the view of Osaka Castle with sakura in the foreground - the perfect photo spot.
Osaka Castle is lit up every night from sunset until 23:00; however, during sakura season, the sakura are lit up even more beautifully. The sakura and Osaka Castle shimmering in the darkness offer a fantastic view.
For more on Osaka Castle Park
Super Convenient Google Maps List
Worried about getting lost in this massive city? We've made a special cherry blossom viewing list on Google Maps! Add the list to your own google maps and enjoy basking in the glory of cherry blossoms.
Link: https://goo.gl/maps/t6tkddvrbEv
(This feature was originally written in 2018. The forecast dates have been updated to 2019.)
