Thursday, March 31, 2011

Cherry Blossom Viewing in Osaka 2011



Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, is a popular activity during springtime in Japan. This year in Osaka the cherry blossoms are expected to open today (March 31st), and reach the peak of their brilliance during the second week of April.

There are several locations that are perfect for viewing sakura (cherry blossoms) in and around the city:

Osaka Mint: This location is situated near a riverbank and is densely populated with cherry trees. The promenade offers a lovely stroll with some of the best cherry blossom sights in Japan. The Ministry of Finance’s Mint Office is a short walk from Osaka Tenmangu Station.

Osaka Jo: The spacious grounds of Osaka Castle Park make for a perfect location to enjoy the cherry blossoms, have a picnic, and take some great photos. Many locals come to this area with their blue tarps to sit, eat and drink with friends under the cover of the trees. Osaka Jo can be accessed via the Osaka Jo Koen Station, as well as other stations in the area.

Expo Memorial Park: This location is outside of the city in Suita. If you are looking for more of a countryside setting without having to travel too far, perhaps the Expo Park grounds are worth checking out during the Hanami season. You can reach this location by riding the monorail to Banpaku Kinen Koen Station.

No comments:

Post a Comment