H
ere are the Top 8 Cherry Blossom Spots in Kansai Area located in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hyogo. Hope you can witness the beauty of cherry blossoms in Kansai.
Osaka Castle
Okawa Riverside & Kema Sakuranomiya Park
Kyoto
When is the Best Season? What to wear?
It's hard to determine when exactly the Cherry Blossom Season is because it's different each year depending on the climate. It does not bloom if the weather is too cold. But roughly, it’s end of March until early April. Cherry Blossoms starts to bloom a week before the Full bloom date and lasts around a week after full bloom. The lifespan of the cherry blossom flower lasts only for 2 weeks.
Here is the data for the Full Bloom of Cherry Blossom from the past years (Data from Japan Meteorological Agency)
Here is the data for the Full Bloom of Cherry Blossom from the past years (Data from Japan Meteorological Agency)
| Year | Full Bloom Date |
| 2015 | April 1st |
| 2016 | April 1st |
| 2017 | April 6th |
| 2018 | March 26th |
| 2019 | April 4th |
| 2020 | April 3rd |
You may have to expect cold weather during this time and consider bringing some winter clothes (knitted shirts, thick coats, thermal jackets, etc.,).
Top 8 Cherry Blossom Viewing in Kansai?
Osaka
Osaka Castle
Location: 10 mins walk from Tanimachiyonchome Sta
With the Osaka Castle as its center, there are around 300 cherry blossom trees and around 1000 plum blossom trees in the Osaka Castle Park.
The view of the Osaka Castle and Cherry Blossom from Nishinomaru Garden is spectacular, especially the light up at night time.
The view of the Osaka Castle and Cherry Blossom from Nishinomaru Garden is spectacular, especially the light up at night time.
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Okawa Riverside & Kema Sakuranomiya Park
Location: Near JR Sakuranomiya Sta, Osakajokitazume Sta and Temmabashi Sta
Around 15 mins walk from Osaka Castle.
There are around 4500 Cherry Blossom Trees at Okawa riverside with 5 kilo meter long. The view at the river of Kema Sakuranomiya Park with Cherry Blossoms is so fantastic and magical.
There are around 4500 Cherry Blossom Trees at Okawa riverside with 5 kilo meter long. The view at the river of Kema Sakuranomiya Park with Cherry Blossoms is so fantastic and magical.
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Kyoto
Kiyomizu Temple
Location: 10 mins bus ride and 10 mins walk from JR Kyoto sta or 30 mins walk from Gion-Shijō sta while enjoying to roam around
Kyoto is a region that you can visit from Osaka via train. In here, you can witness the beauty of the combination of historic temples and Cherry Blossoms. There are around 60 Temples and Shrines in Kyoto that you can enjoy and different kinds of Cherry Blossoms. Among these most famous one is the Cherry blossom viewing at Kiyomizu Temple. Kiyomizu Temple is one of the worlds heritage site, surrounded by the beautiful "three-storied pagoda" and "Sanneizaka", "Nineizaka" (The path way to Kiyomizu Temple has many traditional stores.) Around 1500 Cherry blossom trees are waiting for you.
Arashiyama
Location: 5 mins walk from Arashiyama sta
Arashiyama is well known for the bamboo grove but also famous for the cherry blossom as well. The mountain in Arashiyama will turn into pink with the cherry blossoms. The Majestic view of mountainscape covered by Cherry blossom can be seen from Togetsukyo Bridge.
Arashiyama is well known for the bamboo grove but also famous for the cherry blossom as well. The mountain in Arashiyama will turn into pink with the cherry blossoms. The Majestic view of mountainscape covered by Cherry blossom can be seen from Togetsukyo Bridge.
Nara
Yoshinoyama
Location: 3 mins rope way ride from Yoshino sta or 15 mins walk from Yoshino-yama sta
The full blossom date in here is later than other places, around early to mid of April as altitude is high and temperature is lower.
The Cherry Blossom of Mount Yoshino (Yoshinoyama) is the top of the top in Japan.
It is also said that the first cherry blossom trees were planted in here and the mountain is covered by around 30,000 cherry trees of many different varieties. As there are different varieties of cherry blossom, the mountain will be the pink gradation.
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Nara Deer Park
Location: 5 mins walk from Kintetsu Nara sta or 15 mins walk from JR Nara sta
Nara is another region that is accessible from Osaka via train. Nara Deer Park is one of the famous Cherry Blossom spots. The deer in this park vows their head in front of you just like the Japanese culture etiquette. Plus, you can even feed them!
Todaiji Temple
Location: 15 mins walk from Kintetsu Nara sta or 25 mins walk from JR Nara sta
Nara is famous for the unique Narayae-Sakura, which blooms from end of Apr to early May. With the combination of cherry blossoms and temple, the Great Buddha of Nara is so impressive to look at!
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Hyogo
Himeji Castle
Location: 15 mins walk from Himeji sta
Himeji castle is registered in World Heritage. It's called the "White Heron Castle", the white painted castle.
More than 1000 cherry trees are there and you can enjoy color combination of white and pink.
