Takatsuki City and the Settsu Gorge are easily accessible from Osaka in about 40 minutes by car or 70 minutes by train or bus. As one of Osaka Prefecture's most scenic areas, it boasts a natural environment reminiscent of ancient Japan and inhabited by a wide variety of wildlife.

The gorge's Settsukyo Park was opened in 1956 and has camping and athletics areas throughout. Here you can surround yourself in nature and enjoy the murmur of the Akuta River and sunlight shining through the trees.

About 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees grow in the park, and the annual Sakura Festival always draws a crowd. Don't miss the cherry blossom tunnel with azaleas planted beneath the trees or the spots overlooking the city below.

At the northern end of the park, you'll find the 15-meter Shirataki waterfall and the otherworldly rocky cliffs of the "Settsu Yabakei" gorge itself. On the 4-kilometer hiking course alone, you can see about 1,300 cherry trees as you soak in the valley's natural wonders.

Best viewing: Late March to early April

Settsukyo Sakura Festival
・Venue: Settsukyo Park Sakura Square
・Date: Late March to early April (Festival and other events. Bonbori lanterns and park illumination on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.)
・Admission: Free
・Information: 072-675-0081 (Takatsuki City Tourism Association)

The Expo '70 Commemorative Park was built on the site of the Japan World Exposition (Osaka Expo) held in 1970. It's home to numerous cultural and leisure facilities such as the National Museum of Ethnology, sports fields, and hot springs.

But the attraction with the most presence is the symbol of the Osaka Expo, the "Tower of the Sun" designed by artist Taro Okamoto. There's a healthy competition between the tower and the cherry blossoms for domination of the scenery in spring. Other types of flowers, in bloom year-round, also beautifully decorate the park.

Expo '70 Commemorative Park has been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan." In the Sun Plaza, Japanese Garden, and the Natural and Cultural Garden, more than 5,500 cherry blossom trees of various types have been planted thematically.

The park is designed so visitors can learn more about the relationship between cherry blossoms and Japanese culture.

From popular cherry blossoms varieties like Somei Yoshino, Satozakura, and Yamazakura, to Jugatsuzakura, Kanhizakura, and fruit-bearing sweet cherry trees the park is a great place to immerse yourself in cherry blossom culture and impressive blossom viewing.

Best viewing: Late March to early April

Expo '70 Commemorative Park Sakura Festival
・Venue: Various locations throughout the Natural and Cultural Garden, centering on Higashioji Street
・Date: Late March to mid-April 9:30 - 21:00 (last entry 20:30) *Cherry blossoms are lit up at Higashioji Street 18:00 - 21:00 (time subject to change)
・Admission: Standard admission fee only
・Information: 06-6877-7387 (General Information Center)

Satsukiyama Park, in northwestern Osaka Prefecture's Ikeda City, is a large park at the foot of 315-meter tall Satsukiyama. Somei Yoshino cherry trees and Yamazakura spread from the entrance at the foot of the mountain to the Hinomaru Observatory at the summit, and you can also enjoy the view from the train window as you arrive.

The view of the Osaka Plain from the observatory is always spectacular but becomes even more breathtaking in spring. The vibrant dash of color provided by the Osaka cherry blossoms is a brilliant, rippling sight.

In the park's free Satsukiyama Zoo (closed on Tuesdays) you can interact with Australian wombats and wallabies, adding to a full day of blossom viewing.

Best viewing: Late March to early April

Ikeda Satsukiyama Sakura Festival
・Venue: Satsukiyama Park Ikeda Castle Ruins Park
・Date and time: Saturdays and Sundays from the end of March to the beginning of April from 10:00 to 15:00 (The cherry blossoms are lit up at night from late March to early April every year.)
・Admission: Free
・Information: 072-754-6244 (Ikeda City Airport-Tourism Division)

The area along the Ogawa River, which flows through the center of Osaka and into Osaka Bay, is home to multiple buildings and structures that serve as well-preserved reminders of Japan's entry into modern times such as the Japan Mint, the former Fujita House Ruins, and the Kema Lock Gate and Araizekigun.

A vast riverside park spans 4.2 km from the Kema Lock Gate to Tenmanbashi. The entire park, including Minamitenma Park, Kema Park, and Buson Park, is collectively known as Kema Sakuranomiya Park.

Buildings constructed in the latter half of the 19th century, including the Japan Mint and Sempukan, are situated on the Ogawa's right bank, and about 4,800 cherry trees line the riverside promenade.

Not limited to Yoshino cherry trees, there are about 130 varieties represented like double-flowered Fugenzo and Shogetsu. It is one of the best Osaka cherry blossom viewing spots, with visitors staying late in the night.

Best viewing: Late March to early April

Osaka Castle, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1496, burned down during World War II. After postwar reconstruction and renovation, the current Osaka Castle Park was completed. Approximately 3,000 cherry trees (Yoshino, Itozakura, Yamazakura, Satozakura, etc.) fill the park, drawing crowds of tourists as one of Kansai's best cherry blossom viewing spots.

About 300 Somei Yoshino cherry trees are planted in the Nishinomaru Garden, the former site of where Hideyoshi's wife's residence, making it a particularly popular viewing area.

Osaka Castle Park has five turrets, such as Sengan Yagura, which played a role in protecting the castle as well as the Ishigaki stone wall, which bears engravings made by the daimyo.

In a collaboration of light and flowers unique to Osaka Castle, the castle tower emerging from the cherry blossoms lit up at night is a must-see.

Best viewing: Late March to mid-April

Nishinomaru Garden Night Cherry Blossom Viewing
・Venue: Nishinomaru Garden
・Date: Late March to mid-April 9:00 - 21:00 (Illumination is from 18:00 - 21:00)
・Admission: Nishinomaru Garden 200 yen / Sakura night viewing period 350 yen (tax included)
・Information: 06-6941-1717

Shitenno-ji, in Osaka's Tennoji Ward, is the main temple of the Wa sect of Buddhism and was built by Prince Shotoku to enshrine the Four Heavenly Kings. While the temple only hosts a mere 100 cherry trees, they're still impressive alongside the majestic temple and its beautiful garden, which is meant to inspire Paradise.

The Honbo Garden (Garden of Gokuraku Jodo), the Kanzakura in front of the Eirei-do Hall, and the Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) in front of the Nokyojo (office) are especially spectacular and produce sighs of delight from visitors.

Best viewing: Late March to early April

In 2019, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, which is a combination of Sakai City's "Mozu" and Habikino City and Fujiidera City's "Furuichi" burial mounds was registered as a World Heritage Site. Emperor Nintoku's burial mound in Sakai is Japan's largest keyhole-shaped burial mound. Situated between it and that of Emperor Richu you'll find Daisen Park.

About 1,000 cherry trees are planted across the vast 26,000 square meter park. Weeping cherry trees like Itozakura, Yae-Beni-Shidare, and Shirohigan-shidare, as well as rare varieties like the large-petaled Oyamazakura can be seen.

Best viewing: Late March to early April

Sayamaike Park, located in Osakasayama in southern Osaka Prefecture, opened in 2002 and has since been selected as one of the "100 Best Historical Parks in Japan."

Around 1,400 cherry trees were planted along the path encircling the park's pond, as "the earliest place to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in Osaka."

Many of the trees are early-blooming Koshinohigan trees as well as a mix of Yoshino, Yamazakura and late-blooming Yaezakura, making it a popular destination for its long blossom viewing season.

Every year, the tree-lined path on the north bank of Sayamaike is lit up, making it one of the season's highlights.

Best viewing: Late March to mid-April

Osakasayama City-Sakura Festival Spring-Night Sakura Illumination
・Venue: Sayamaike North Bank
・Date and time: Late March to early April Sunset to 22:00
・Admission: Free
・Phone: 072-366-0011

The Eiraku Dam, completed in 1968, in the mountains of Kumatori Town, near the prefectural border with Wakayama, is a water source for the Kumatori region.

The surrounding area makes up Okuyama Ameyama Nature Park (Okuyama Ameyama Shizenkoen). There, you can see Yamazakura and Uwamizuzakura but around the dam itself, about 1,000 Yoshino cherry trees grow for 2 kilometers along the reservoir banks.

You can enjoy cherry blossoms while taking a leisurely stroll along the footpath and the view from Eiraku Dam is a must-see.

Ameyama, which is 312 meters above sea level, was formerly a sacred mountain site used for prayers for rain at the mountaintop Ameyama Ryuo Shrine (now in ruins).

A castle (also in ruins) was built on Ameyama during the Nanbokucho Period (1336-1392), giving the area a feeling the historical romance. During blossom season, lanterns illuminate the trees at night and there are concession stands set up for an enjoyable evening of cherry blossom viewing.

Best viewing: Late March to early April

Eiraku Sakura Festival
・Venue: Around Eiraku Dam
・Date and time: Late March 10:00 - 15:00 (Lanterns are lit from 18:00 - 21:00 and some cherry trees are also lit up.)
・Admission: Free
・Phone: 072-452-6404 (Kumatori Town Hall Water and Greenery Division)

During the Edo Period (1603-1867), the Yamanakadani district was known as "Yamanakashuku" and prospered as an inn town and a busy hot spring resort.

To recapture the former bustle, about 1,000 cherry trees have been planted over about 1 kilometer on both banks of the Yamanaka River since 1965, creating a splendid row of cherry blossoms.

The revival efforts have paid off and the area is now a popular blossom viewing destination, drawing many visitors each spring.

At the Hanakaido Yamanakadani Sakura Festival held during the peak bloom, various performances such as Rakko (drumming) and Yosakoi Odori (dancing) are held, and you can enjoy the fantastic cherry blossoms lit up by night.

Jifukuji Temple is famous for its weeping cherry tree whose widely spreading branches cover the temple grounds. Nearby Wampaku Kingdom park (free to enter) is also recommended.

Best viewing: Late March to early April

Hanakaido Yamanakadani Sakura Festival
・Venue: Wampaku Kingdom and surrounding area
・Date: Usually the first Sunday in April (Lit up from the end of March to the beginning of April from sunset to 22:00)
・Admission: Free
・Phone: 072-471-5678 (Hannan City Hall, Town Vitality Creation Division)

There are many other Osaka cherry blossom viewing spots and the collaboration between classic architecture and nature is characteristic of the region's sakura viewing. Be sure to visit for a taste of historic retrospection and beautiful cherry blossoms!


Translated by Gabriel Wilkinson