BEST HANAMI SPOTS IN OSAKA, KOBE, AND KYOTO

We are now down to April’s second week and what’s the best way to catch up with the falling blossoms but to track down the specific scenic spots in the middle part of Japan where these blooms are in full.

Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto are some of the finest cities in Japan for cherry blossom viewing (hanami) and we listed down the top eight of the city’s most popular hanami spots to enjoy the spring.

Shukugawa Koen

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Situated at Kobe, the Shukugawa Koen (Park) is a long stretch of Sakura and Pine trees. People from different parts of Japan gather here for a day of hanami

Kema Sakuranomiya Park

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The seemingly endless rows of 500 cherry trees is a good spot for hanami with friends and family. The long stretch of Sakura trees can be best viewed from a riverside promenade or from ships cruising the river.

Osaka Castle

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A scenic view that is highlighted with over 4000 cherry trees on the spacious ground. The Osaka castle grounds stretched far from four sides of Osaka with wide lawns good for picnics and quick rendezvous. At night, the trees were lighted along with the castle’s illumination

Oji Zoo

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Expo 70 Commemorative Park

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The former site of the 1970 World Exhibition in Osaka turned into a large public park with over 5000 cherry trees along its paths and around its large lawn areas. Sakura trees in this Koen were lighted every evening for better and much appreciation

Arashiyama

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Located in the outskirts of Kyoto you’ll find Arashiyama. Many trees can be found around the Togetsukyo Bridge at the foot of the mountains, especially in the riverside Nakanoshima Park. Around the vicinity, you’ll find the Daikakuji Temple Temple whose large pond is surrounded by abundant Sakura trees.

Ninnaji

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Well known for its locally cultivated variety of late-blooming Sakura trees, Ninnaji is surrounded by several hundred trees that are planted on the temple grounds. Omuro Cherry was considered as the late-blooming tree every season.

Maruyama Park

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Located in Kyoto. Maruyama Park is noted as the main center for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto and can get extremely crowded at that time of year. The park’s star attraction is a weeping cherry tree that becomes lit up at night.

These are just eight Sakura spots in the middle of Japan. We suggest that you make your own list and share it with us. You may also use this as a guide the next time you visit the land of the rising sun.

Ed Lorenzo
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Edryan Lorenzo, a PR and Marketing practitioner with 13 years of solid experience in the industry of lifestyle, fashion, and e-commerce. I'm into visual arts which includes photography, painting, and sketching. During my free time, I'd prefer to travel to keep my self fueled by different cultures and information. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @edryanlorenzo.

About the Author

Edryan Lorenzo, a PR and Marketing practitioner with 13 years of solid experience in the industry of lifestyle, fashion, and e-commerce. I'm into visual arts which includes photography, painting, and sketching. During my free time, I'd prefer to travel to keep my self fueled by different cultures and information. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @edryanlorenzo.