Osaka is one of Japan's best cities for cherry blossom viewing (hanami). Below is a list of the city's most popular hanami spots, including the typical timing for best viewing in the average year and japan-guide.com ratings. See also our nationwide list of famous cherry blossom spots.
Kema Sakuranomiya Park•••
Early April
Sakuranomiya Station (JR Loop Line), free admission
Nearly 5000 cherry trees line Okawa River for several kilometers. The seemingly endless rows of cherry trees can be viewed from a pleasant riverside promenade or from ships cruising the river. There are also lawn areas with a lot of space for picnics.
Free admission except for the Nishinomaru Garden Nishinomaru Garden: 9:00 to 17:00; 200 yen The 2020 Nishinomaru evening admission and illuminations were cancelled
Over 4000 cherry trees are planted on the spacious grounds of Osaka Castle. A particularly nice place for a picnic is Nishinomaru Park in the castle's western citadel with wide lawns, views of the castle tower and light up in the evening.
Banpaku Kinen Koen Station (Osaka Monorail), 9:30 to 17:00, 260 yen Illumination 2020: 3/27-29 and 4/3-5, 18:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:30)
The former site of the 1970 World Exhibition in Osaka was turned into a large public park with over 5000 cherry trees along its paths and around its large lawn areas. There is light up in the evenings.
10 minute walk from Temmabashi Station, free admission The 2020 special opening event was cancelled Mint Museum: closed at least until March 31, 2020 to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus
More than 300 trees of over 100 varieties, mostly later blooming yae-zakura trees can be viewed on the premises of the Osaka Mint Bureau. The gates of the garden are opened to the general public for one week in mid April. The garden can also be viewed on the occasion of a visit to the Mint Museum outside of the special opening period.
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park•
Early April
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Subway Station, free admission
This large public park served as the site of a flower exhibition in 1990. Hundreds of cherry trees are planted across the park, offering visitors lots of attractive picnic spots. There are also about 50 small, representative gardens from countries across the world.
Ratings: best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding