HOME Kansai Kyoto Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace 6 Cool Cherry Blossom Experiences for 2024 (Osaka, Kyoto, and More) - No More 'Boring' Sakura Sightseeing!
6 Cool Cherry Blossom Experiences for 2024 (Osaka, Kyoto, and More) - No More 'Boring' Sakura Sightseeing!

6 Cool Cherry Blossom Experiences for 2024 (Osaka, Kyoto, and More) - No More 'Boring' Sakura Sightseeing!

Last updated: 15 February 2024

It's that time of year again when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. While many have already booked their tickets to Japan to see the cherry blossoms. However, some may feel that changing the location every year to see the cherry blossoms can be a bit boring and monotonous.

But don't worry! LIVE JAPAN has compiled the latest and trendiest cherry blossom experiences for you! Whether you want to take a small train or a water bus, we've got it all covered! You can even see the cherry blossoms from a helicopter! Don't miss out on these unique cherry blossom experiences that will set you apart from the others.

Main image: PR TIMES, KKday Japan

Table of Contents
  1. 1. Cherry Blossom Viewing in Style: Take a Helicopter Ride for a Luxurious Experience
  2. 2. Relaxing Cherry Blossom Viewing on the Sagano Scenic Railway
  3. 3. Enjoy Sakura Viewing on a Retro Boat Ride along the Hozu River
  4. 4. Enjoy Cherry Blossoms in Elegance by Riding Water Bus in Osaka
  5. 5. A Spectacular Cherry Blossom Viewing Experience that Only Modern Art Can Offer
  6. 6. Dazzling Sakura Illumination - A Dreamy Nighttime Experience
  7. Experience an amazing cherry blossom season in 2024!

1. Cherry Blossom Viewing in Style: Take a Helicopter Ride for a Luxurious Experience

Image: PR TIMES
Image: PR TIMES

Tired of viewing cherry blossoms from the ground? No worries, let's admire them from above! AirX, which developed the AirX Sky Walker Project, is offering a limited-time "Yoshino Senbon Sakura Helicopter Tour" during cherry blossom season.

Departing from Yao Airport in Osaka, the tour takes you to Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot where you can see the magnificent Takada Senbon Sakura. You can also choose a more luxurious option to fly around the ancient capital of Nara. Both options allow you to enjoy a bird's eye view of the romantic pink hue of Mt. Yoshino.

Image: PIXTA
Image: PIXTA

Mount Yoshino is pretty much swathed in cherry blossoms from bottom to top, making every spot a perfect one for blossom viewing. And when they light up the trees at night? Absolutely magical. Plus, you get this killer view of the World Heritage site "Kimpusen-ji Temple" from up there. So yeah, it gets super crowded with people every cherry blossom season, but here’s a pro tip: hop on a helicopter, and you can dodge the masses for a seriously luxe cherry blossom experience!

Every year, around the beginning of April, Mount Yoshino hits its cherry blossom peak. Based on the cherry blossom forecast, Nara is looking at starting to bloom around March 25th and hitting full bloom by April 1st, 2024, so that’s the sweet spot for planning your visit!

Period
March 25th to April 14th
Assembly time: 10 AM to 3 PM (takeoff within 30 minutes after assembly)
Fees
Yoshino Cherry Blossom Package: 50 minutes 170,000 yen
Yoshino and Nara Full Enjoyment Package: 80 minutes 280,000 yen
* Charter one helicopter directly, maximum of 3 passengers.
* Prices include tax.
Details of the flight plan
1. Yoshino Cherry Blossom Package. Enjoy a 50-minute flight viewing: Mount Yoshino, Osaka Cityscape, Mount Ikoma, Takada Senbon Sakura, Nanba Hana-dera Temple

2. Yoshino and Nara Full Enjoyment Package: Experience an 80-minute flight viewing: Osaka Cityscape, Takada Senbon Sakura, Nanba Hana-dera Temple, Hase-dera Temple, Heijo-kyo, Soni Castle Ruins, Mt. Mimuro, Asuka-dera Temple, Yoshino Mountain, Shimo Senbon, Naka Senbon, Kami Senbon, Oku Senbon

Not only Mount Yoshino, but also takes you around famous sightseeing spots in Nara, allowing you to fully appreciate the cherry blossoms of Nara and Mount Yoshino. It is a very luxurious package.

2. Relaxing Cherry Blossom Viewing on the Sagano Scenic Railway

Image: KKday Japan
Image: KKday Japan

Arashiyama Sagano is right up there as one of Japan's ultimate sightseeing spots, boasting not just the World Heritage "Tenryu-ji Temple" but also the iconic bamboo grove paths among its photo-worthy spots. When cherry blossom season rolls around, it's not just about "Tenryu-ji Temple" and "Former Imperial Villa Nijo Castle" showing off their blooms. Centered around Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama turns into a cherry blossom paradise for pretty much all of April. You've got mountain cherry blossoms popping at Hirose Pond and Osawa Pond in early April; Jiō-ji Temple's own cherry blossoms making a scene in mid-April; and by the end of April, the Fugenzo cherry blossoms at Nison-in Temple hit their viewing peak, ensuring you won’t miss the yearly cherry blossom extravaganza!

And if you want to mix up your cherry blossom viewing with something a little different from the usual stroll, why not hop on the Sagano Scenic Railway for a breezy journey through a dreamy cherry blossom tunnel? Arashiyama's cherry blossoms usually reach their prime from mid-March to the end of April. Based on the cherry blossom forecast, Kyoto's Arashiyama is expected to start blooming around March 27th, with full bloom around April 2nd, 2024!

照片來源:PIXTA
照片來源:PIXTA

The Sagano Scenic Railway was originally a small freight train that transported goods, but now it serves as a sightseeing train that takes passengers along the Hozugawa River for an up-close view of the beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. The fifth car, called "The Rich," has no windows and is an open-air car, allowing passengers to directly feel the changes in sunlight, wind, and climate, making it very popular among tourists.

Ticketing method

All carriages of the Sagano Scenic Railway are reserved seating, and you cannot get off midway. You can buy advance tickets or same-day tickets.

・For Advance Ticket Purchases:
Tickets are available for reservation from 10 a.m., one month in advance, and can be purchased on the Sagano Scenic Railway's official website.

・For Same-Day Ticket Purchases:
At the service counters of the train stations (excluding Saga Station, Arashiyama Station, Kameoka Station, and Hozukyo Station).
(*Same-day tickets can only be bought with cash, credit cards (VISA, MASTER, JCB, Diners, American Express, Discover Card), or transportation IC cards (ICOCA, Suica, etc.), cash, ICOCA, Suica, Kitaca, toica, SUGOCA.)
(*PiTaPa, Debit Card, JR PASS, Seishun 18 Ticket, PASMO, various credit cards, Japan Rail Pass, and Seishun 18 are not accepted.)

If you're worried about the difficulty of purchasing tickets on-site during the busy season, besides buying tickets in advance on the official website, you can also consider booking a half-day package tour through the reservation platform below. This way, you not only get to ride the Arashiyama Scenic Railway but also experience the popular Hozugawa River Boat Tour!

3. Enjoy Sakura Viewing on a Retro Boat Ride along the Hozu River

Image: PIXTA
Image: PIXTA

In addition to taking a scenic ride on the mountain railway, visitors to Arashiyama can also enjoy a cherry blossom viewing boat ride on the Hozu River.

The Hozu River Boat Ride has a history of approximately 400 years. Initially, it was developed as a water transportation system by wealthy merchant Suminokura Ryoi to transport timber and charcoal from Tanba to Kyoto.

However, as railway and automobiles replaced water transportation, the boats transformed into sightseeing boats for passengers to enjoy the beautiful seasonal scenery of the valley.

Image: KKday Japan
Image: KKday Japan

Hop on the "Hozugawa River Boat Tour" from the boarding area near JR Kameoka Station, and let's ride the winds and waves to admire the cherry blossoms blooming along both riverbanks. The cherry blossoms here have a more "wild" vibe compared to those on land, and you'll also catch sights like the guardian Fudo Myo-o statue and the Sagano Scenic Railway, making for a truly unique experience! Arashiyama's cherry blossoms typically reach their peak from mid-March to the end of April. Based on the cherry blossom forecast, Kyoto's Arashiyama is expected to start blooming around March 27th, with full bloom by April 2nd, 2024!

How to buy tickets for regular cruises
Tickets will be purchased on the same day. (The online reservation site does not reflect the availability of tickets, so please refer to the site for details.)
Cost
Adults: 4,500 yen, Ages 4 to elementary school: 3,000 yen
Operating times (March 10-December 8, 2024)
Open: 9 AM - 3 PM
Regular cruise times: 9 AM / 10 AM / 11 AM / 12 PM / 1 PM / 2 PM
*Cruises will start when the number of passengers reaches about 24 on weekends and national holidays.
*Regular cruises at 9 AM may be suspended depending on the situation.
*Please make your reservation before the cruise time.
Closed
・Fixed suspension of service from December 29 to January 4 every year
・Service will also be suspended in the event of heavy rainfall, etc.

To ensure your spot before traveling to Japan, you can purchase boat tickets in advance on the reservation website. Buying tickets beforehand is very convenient, and you can purchase them here if you need to.

4. Enjoy Cherry Blossoms in Elegance by Riding Water Bus in Osaka

Image: KKday Japan
Image: KKday Japan

Besides Kyoto's "Hozugawa River Boat Tour," Osaka offers a cherry blossom viewing experience that perfectly matches the city's waterside image: a graceful cherry blossom viewing on the "Osaka Aqua-Liner" water bus. The Aqua-Liner cruises on the Okawa River, touring various famous Osaka sights. During the cherry blossom season, it even has a special route starting from Osaka Castle Port to destinations like Tenmabashi and Sakuranomiya, some of Osaka's renowned cherry blossom spots. This allows you to comfortably enjoy Osaka's cherry blossom scenery away from the crowds, and the captain will even share tips on capturing unique photos of Osaka Castle from the water!

Osaka's cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming around March 25th this year, with full bloom by April 1st, so if you're in Osaka during this period, why not hop on a boat for some cherry blossom viewing.

Besides Kyoto's "Hozugawa River Boat Tour," Osaka offers a cherry blossom viewing experience that perfectly matches the city's waterside image: a graceful cherry blossom viewing on the "Osaka Aqua-Liner" water bus. The Aqua-Liner cruises on the Okawa River, touring various famous Osaka sights. During the cherry blossom season, it even has a special route starting from Osaka Castle Port to destinations like Tenmabashi and Sakuranomiya, some of Osaka's renowned cherry blossom spots. This allows you to comfortably enjoy Osaka's cherry blossom scenery away from the crowds, and the captain will even share tips on capturing unique photos of Osaka Castle from the water!

Osaka's cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming around March 25th this year, with full bloom by April 1st*, so if you're in Osaka during this period, why not hop on a boat for some cherry blossom viewing.
March 25 - April 10, 2024
Departure Times
・Regular cruise times: 10:15 AM / 11 AM / 11:45 AM / 12:30 PM / 1:15 PM / 2 PM / 2:45 PM / 3:30 PM / 4:15 PM
* Additional cruises at 5:20 PM / 6:05 PM / 6:50 PM on Saturdays and Sundays during the cherry blossom season.
* Additional cruises may be added temporarily.
* Unscheduled sailings may be suspended if there are no reservations.
Cost
Adults (junior high school and older) 2,000 yen, children (elementary school) 1000 yen
*Non-resident infants and toddlers are free of charge. (One adult can bring only one infant on board)
Time required
Around 40 minutes
Ticket Counter/Boarding Area
Osaka Castle Pier (3 minutes walk from Osakajokoen Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line)
*The ticket counter is in front of the ferry terminal

Osaka Castle Pier (3 minutes walk from Osakajokoen Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line)
*The ticket counter is in front of the ferry terminal

5. A Spectacular Cherry Blossom Viewing Experience that Only Modern Art Can Offer

Image: PR TIMES
Image: PR TIMES

From March 8th to April 7th, 2024, you can join the evening cherry blossom viewing event "NAKED Sakura Festival 2024 at World Heritage Nijo Castle." Here, you'll get to enjoy around 300 cherry trees of 50 different varieties, along with night-time cherry blossom illuminations, important cultural property Karakami cherry blossom projection mapping, and digital art themed around the Kano school murals inside the national treasure Ninomaru Palace. Additionally, there's a dining area surrounded by cherry blossom art, with a menu that includes alcoholic cherry blossom beverages, regular drinks, desserts, and more.

Kyoto's cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming around March 23rd this year, with full bloom around March 31st, making it a perfect time to join this cherry blossom feast.

Image: PR TIMES
Image: PR TIMES
Period
March 8 - April 7, 2024
Hours
6 PM - 10 PM (Last entry at 9 PM)
Prices (tax incl.)
Advance Tickets:
General admission
・Mondays through Thursdays: Junior high school and older: 1,600 yen, elementary school: 1,000 yen
・Fridays, weekends, and national holidays: Junior high school and older: 2,000 yen, elementary school: 1,400 yen

Special day tickets
・March 23, March 30: Junior high school and up: 2,400 yen, elementary school and up: 1,800 yen
*Normal admission is not available on March 23 and 30.
Special day tickets have a limited quantity.
*Advance tickets are available for purchase from February 1 at 10 AM to March 7 at 11:59 PM Japan time.
*Free admission for preschoolers.
*Discounts available for people with physical and mental disabilities.
*On-site ticket prices are higher than advance ticket prices.

To join this splendid event, you can purchase tickets in advance through the online reservation website, which is cheaper than buying them at the venue! Additionally, there are package deals for renting a kimono. Dress up in a beautiful kimono and join the evening cherry blossom viewing tea party at Nijo Castle!

Source: PR TIMES

6. Dazzling Sakura Illumination - A Dreamy Nighttime Experience

Image: KKday Japan
Image: KKday Japan

Cherry blossom viewing isn't just for the daytime; night-time offers a whole other experience with illuminated cherry blossoms that, under the glow of lights, have a more mature and sophisticated ambiance. Our editor has specially selected a few spots in Kyoto worth checking out for night-time cherry blossom viewing. You can enjoy these enchanting night-time views around the expected bloom start date of March 23rd in Kyoto!

Maruyama Park

Gion Maruyama Park is one of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in Gion, known for its sprawling Japanese-style gardens dotted with restaurants and tea houses. It's the oldest park in Kyoto city. Last year, the star of the night cherry blossoms, the weeping cherry trees, nearly finished blooming by early April. While this year's schedule hasn't been announced yet, it's essential to act quickly and seize the opportunity once it does!

Kodai-ji Temple

Kodai-ji Temple was constructed by Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and features seasonal nighttime illumination events throughout the year. This year's theme is "Light of Remembrance." The fourth-generation weeping cherry tree planted in the Hassoku-no-niwa (Waves' Heart Garden) is particularly famous and shouldn't be missed!

・Special Spring Evening Viewing in 2024
・Period: March 15th - May 6th, 2024
Time: Illumination starts at 5 PM - 10 PM (Last entry at 9:30 PM)
* Itinerary subject to change without notice.
・Admission: Adults 600 yen, High school and middle school students 250 yen

  • Kodai-ji Temple
    • Address 526, Kodai-ji Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 605-0825
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Gionshijo Station (Keihan Line)
      10 minutes on foot
    • Phone Number 075-561-9966

To-ji Temple

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, To-ji Temple boasts around 200 cherry blossom trees, including Somei Yoshino and Kawazu Sakura varieties, making it one of Kyoto's prime cherry blossom viewing spots. Among them, the spectacular Yae-beni Shidare-zakura, known as the "Mt. Fuji Cherry Blossom," is particularly impressive!

・Special Evening Viewing of Cherry Blossoms in the Kondo and Lecture Hall
・Period: March 16th - April 14th, 2024
・Time: 6 PM - 9:30 PM (Last admission at 9 PM)
・Closed: Open daily during the event period
・Admission: Adults/High school students 1,000 yen, Junior high school students and younger 500 yen

If you want to visit these three cherry blossom viewing spots with ease, you can refer to KKday's itinerary, which includes a sightseeing bus and dinner. This hassle-free experience allows you to enjoy the night cherry blossoms without worrying about getting lost or where to eat. Plus, since the tour is at night, you can still run other activities during the day. It's highly recommended for those who want a convenient cherry blossom viewing experience!

  • To-ji Temple
    • Address 1, Kujocho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 601-8473
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Toji Station (Kintetsu-kyoto Line)
      10 minutes on foot
    • Phone Number 075-691-3325

Experience an amazing cherry blossom season in 2024!

In recent years, the ways to enjoy cherry blossom viewing have become more diverse than ever! Whether it's gracefully viewing cherry blossoms on a water bus or attending a night-time cherry blossom festival to experience light projection art, the options are truly varied. Have you started to find cherry blossom viewing a bit monotonous? Then it's time to try out these trendy cherry blossom viewing experiences. They're sure to bring a fresh and exciting twist to your spring!

(*This article was produced in March 2023 and updated in February 2024. For the latest information, please refer to the official websites.)

Written by:
Nemi Lin
Nemi Lin

Nemi has been living in Japan since 2015. She attended a Japanese-Chinese translation school in Japan and volunteered as a translator at the Osaka International House Foundation for 2 years. A busy mother, she explores trendy cafes, value-for-money buffets, and captures beautiful moments of cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and maple leaves in her free time. She often travels with her family during holidays, collecting regional snacks and sampling local puddings. Nemi regularly shares top foodie spots, the best locations for picturesque views, and family-friendly guides to Osaka on her Instagram.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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