Expo '70 Commemorative Park is famous for the Tower of the Sun which was created by the artist Tarō Okamoto. It is also renowned for its cherry blossoms.

From late March to early April, approximately 5,500 cherry trees of nine different varieties come into bloom. The beauty of this sight is such that it was selected as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan".

Aligned with the peak blooming period, a Cherry Blossom Festival will be held, featuring illuminations of the cherry blossoms. In 2024, a special "SAKURA EXPO" event will see even more cherry blossom-related activities. Enjoy a magical time with illuminated cherry blossom trees along Higashi-Oji and even a one-day-only fireworks display. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, the designated areas will be open until 9 PM.

Location & Access
・Natural and Cultural Gardens, Higashioji Street, Sakura-no-Nagare
・About 5 minutes from Osaka Monorail Bampakukinenkoen Station by foot

Event Dates and Times
March 20th to April 7th, 2024
9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
※ During the "Higashiooji Cherry Blossom Tree Light-Up" period, the designated area is open until 9:00 PM. (Last entry at 8:30 PM)

Event information
・Higashioji Street Cherry Blossom Tree Light-Up, collaborative fireworks, food area, etc.
・Free admission (some events may require a fee)
* Separate admission fee required for entry to the Natural and Cultural Gardens and Japanese Garden

Best time to see cherry blossoms
Late March to early April

The Japan Mint, an Independent Administrative Institution of the Japanese government, was established in 1969 and manufactures coins and medals, amongst other items.

Around 340 cherry trees form this tunnel, but what's truly remarkable is the variety of species—about 140 in total. Among these is the rare Gyoiko, a cherry tree with green blossoms, so keep an eye out for unusual types. For 2024, entry is managed through a first-come, first-served basis via online application (see the official website here). Note that if you haven't applied in advance, access will be declined (the application period is expected to be set around mid-March 2024).

Location & Access
・Japan Mint (Independent Administrative Institution Japan Mint)
・Approximately 10 minutes walk from Keihan and Subway Temmabashi Station

Event Dates and Times
・One week in early to mid-April 2024
・10 AM to 7:30 PM, 9 AM to 7:30 PM on weekends

Event information
・Cherry blossom illumination, etc.
・Admission is free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Mid-April

Osaka's growth was supported by water transportation so greatly that it was known as the "City of Water" around 1870.

In the heart of Osaka, there is a water circuit surrounding the city center, which is a rare phenomenon even in other countries, and this circuit is also known as the "Aqua Metropolis Osaka". "Hachikenya Ohanami Festa", a festival to celebrate the arrival of spring and enjoy spring, is held at Hachikenya-hama Pier in the city of Osaka, where there are cherry blossoms, cruises, and a waterfront.

Beginning with the "Aqua Metropolis Osaka Kawabiraki Ceremony" to mark the start of the boating season, where a great variety of boats gather during this period, various events are held, such as the "Okawa Sakura Cruise", "Spring Tea Party on the Water Surface While Stand-Up Paddle Boarding", and the "Riverside Café". Enjoy a meal and waterfront activities while gazing at the cherry blossoms lining the river.

・Hachikenya-hama Pier/the vicinity of "River Station Hachikenya"
・1 minute from Keihan and Osaka Metro Temmabashi Station

Location & Access
・Yakenyahama / Around "Kawa no Eki Hachikenya"
・1 minute walk from Keihan and Subway Temmabashi Station

Event Dates and Times
・Usually in early April (*Scheduled for 2024. Please check the official website for details.)
・Dates and times vary depending on the event

Event information
・Cherry Blossom Waterfront Stroll, Riverside Yoga in Hachikenya (Reservation required), Nordic Walk Experience Session (Reservation required), Hachikenya Exercises, Float-produced Yakenya Irodori Street, Hachikenya Hamamachi Market, etc. (from 2023 event)
・Admission is free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to early April

The shape of Kishiwada Castle, which links the inner and outer citadels, resembles a "chikiri", a tool that winds the warp of a loom.

Thus, it is also known as Chikiri Castle. At the castle, with its popular "Kishiwada Castle Garden (Hachijin-no-niwa)" that was created by the landscape gardener Mirei Shigemori in 1953, and has been designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty, the approximately 170 cherry trees in its vicinity turning pink during late March to early April.

In early April, the Kishiwada Castle Festival is also held, and with the illumination of the castle, the "Hachijin-no-niwa" illumination at Kishiwada Castle Garden, visitors can enjoy the beautiful view of cherry blossoms at night. You can also enjoy various events at the facilities near Kishiwada Castle.

Location & Access
・Within Kishiwada Castle, facilities surrounding Kishiwada Castle
・13 minutes walk from Nankai Kishiwada Station

Event Dates and Times
・Usually in early to mid-April
・During weekends, Kishiwada Castle is open until 8:30 PM (Tenshukaku until 8:00 PM) as per usual. The nighttime opening period includes the illumination of Kishiwada Castle Garden (Hachijin no Niwa). Check the official website for other events.

Event information
・Kishiwada Castle Illumination, illumination of Kishiwada Castle Garden "Hachijin no Niwa," etc.
・Admission fee for Kishiwada Castle (Tenshukaku): Adults 300 yen, Junior high school students and younger free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to early April

Settsukyo Park is located in Settsukyo and is perfect for hiking as well as having fun throughout all four seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies and river activities in summer, and autumn leaf colors in autumn.

There is an open space where children can play, a hiking course that leads to the peak, nature paths that allow one to see precipices and strangely shaped rocks full of rustic beauty as well as waterfalls, and so on. It is loved as a nature park that anyone can easily drop by.

Approximately 3,000 Yoshino cherry and other trees have been planted all over the park, and from late March to early April, the 230 cherry trees in the Cherry Blossom Square reach their peak, and every year, the "Cherry Blossom Festival" is held.

In previous years, mainly on weekends, after sunset, paper lanterns were lit and other than being able to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night in the middle of this faint light, in early April, stage events are also held.

Event venue and access
・Settsukyo Park's Cherry Blossom Square and various other areas
・About 15 minutes by city bus from JR Takatsuki Station's north exit (Settsukyo Akutagawa Karyu)

Event Dates and Times
・Usually late March to early April
* Scheduled for 2024. Please check the official website for details.

Event information
・Light-up, stage events, etc.
・Admission is free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to early April

With Satsukiyama, a hill with an elevation of approximately 315 meters, as its center, Satsukiyama Park offers a view of the city of Ikeda and Inagawa from its observation deck.

It is also famous for its cherry blossoms, azaleas, and autumn leaves, and from the entrance of the park to the Hinomaru Observation Deck at the peak of the hill, Yoshino cherry trees and mountain cherry trees bloom everywhere. On the driveway, you can also enjoy the cherry blossoms from your car window.

Usually, the "Ikeda Satsukiyama Cherry Blossom Festival" is held from early April. During this time, the cherry blossoms are lit up by the gentle light of paper lanterns on Satsukiyama and at the "Ikeda Shiroato Park", and the "Public Open-Air Tea Ceremony", a tea ceremony in which visitors can make tea and have fun outdoors, is held along with other events.

Location & Access
・The entire Satsukiyama Park area, etc.
・About 10 minutes from Keihan Ikeda Station by foot (Satsukiyama Park)

Event Dates and Times
・Usually in early April
* Scheduled for 2024. Please check the official website for details.
・Free admission

Event information
・Japanese music concert, etc.
・Admission is free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to early April

Every year from late March to early April, about 1,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees planted along the banks of the Yamazaki River in Hannan City, Osaka Prefecture, reach full bloom. These trees are illuminated at night, creating a magical atmosphere.

Coinciding with the peak bloom, the Hanakaido Yamanakadani Cherry Blossom Festival takes place, featuring various events such as performances by the Hannan Taiko drum group "Rakko" and Yosakoi dancing with naruko clappers. These festivities are held around JR Yamazakigawa Station and in the nearby Wanpaku Kingdom municipal park.

Visitors are also encouraged to explore other cherry blossom viewing spots, including the Wanpaku Kingdom and the beautiful weeping cherry trees at Jifukuji Temple, which are over 50 years old. It's a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of cherry blossoms in the area.

Location & Access
・Around JR Yamanakadani Station, Wampaku Kingdom, etc.
・Near JR Yamanakadani Station

Event Dates and Times
・March 31, 2024 from 10 AM to 4 PM
・Free admission

Event information
・Taiko drum performance, Yosakoi dance, etc.
・Admission is free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to early April

Sayama Pond Park, established in the vicinity of Sayama Pond, the oldest dam-style reservoir in Japan, is a beautiful park that is designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.

There are many early-blooming Kochino Higanzakura cherry trees lining the pond's walking path and as they start to bloom in late March, they offer a flower-viewing experience so early that they could be said to be the earliest or second earliest to bloom in Osaka Prefecture.

Also, there are double-flowered cherry blossoms that bloom in mid-April, and another distinct feature of the area is that it offers a lovely view of cherry blossoms over a long period of time.

Every year, from late March to early April, the Sayama Pond Cherry Blossom Festival is held, during which the cherry trees blooming on the northern bank of Sayama Pond are lit up.

Location & Access
・Sayama Pond’s northern bank
・About 10 minutes from Nankai Ōsakasayamashi Station by foot

Event Dates and Times
・Usually late March to early April
* Scheduled for 2024. Please check the official website for details.
・Free admission

Event information
・Cherry blossom illumination, etc.
・Admission is free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to mid-April

Eiraku Dam is famous for its cherry blossoms, and is abundant in greenery and nature, so much so that it is designated as one of the Top 100 Greenery Spots in Osaka and Top 100 Forests and Water Sources.

About 1,000 cherry trees bloom splendidly around the dam. In previous years, the Eiraku Cherry Blossom Festival, during which paper lanterns were hung to light up some of the cherry trees and refreshment booths were available, was held during the flowering period of the cherry blossoms.

There is a circuit of approximately two kilometers around the dam, and visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms at the adjacent Eiraku Yumenomori Park as well, so it is possible to enjoy the view of cherry blossoms during the day while going for a walk.

Location & Access
・Eiraku Dam
・Take the Nankai Wing Bus Nanbu bus going to Tubasagaokakitaguchi from JR Kumatori Station, get off at Nariaiguti and walk for 20 minutes

Event Dates and Times
Illumination: March 23, 2024 (Saturday) to April 7, 2024 (Sunday)
Event: March 31, 2024 (Sunday)

Event information
・Cherry blossom illumination usually from 6 PM to 9 PM
・Events include the sale of light refreshments, beverages, flower seedlings, handmade goods, etc.
・Admission is free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to early April

With stalls, stage events, and magical lit-up cherry blossoms, there are ways to enjoy cherry blossom festivals that do not just involve looking.

(*Please note that this information is as of February 2024. The timing of the cherry blossoms' blooming, as well as the schedule and details of events, may be subject to change.)

Text by Efeel