Springtime in Osaka: A Two-Day Itinerary of Cherry Blossoms, Sightseeing, and More!

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Osaka is truly blooming with things to see and do during spring. This two day itinerary is loaded with exciting things to do, stunning sights to see and culinary delights for anyone visiting Kansai!

Written by

Salvo

Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.

From the glittering neon lights of Namba to the opulence of Osaka Castle, Osaka boasts many wonderful places to visit and is a favored destination for visitors to the Kansai region of Japan.

This two-day spring itinerary includes cherry blossom viewing sites, dining suggestions, as well as some of Osaka's famous districts and landmarks. The best time to enjoy this itinerary is from late March to early April when the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom in Osaka.

Day 1 - Morning: Osaka Castle Park

Photo by Pixta

A prime cherry blossom viewing location, Osaka Castle Park bursts to life with hues of soft pink and white during the springtime. Making any discerning list of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kansai, the park offers photogenic views and easy access.

While you're enjoying the park, why not visit Osaka Castle and tour this glittering golden monument to the feudal era of Japan? With an extensive museum located within the castle keep, visitors who enjoy historical sites will really get excited!

Book your Osaka Castle ticket.

Lunch in the Tsuruhashi Area

Photo by Pixta

Only a short ride away on the loop-line, Tsuruhashi Station is the perfect pit stop for lunch.

Here visitors can sample Japan's take on the vibrant flavors of Korean cuisine. Well known for its abundant array of Korean eateries, visitors can enjoy barbecue restaurants along with Korean rice cakes and other delicacies. It's a great place to refuel before carrying out the rest of the itinerary.

Afternoon: Okawa River Sakura Cruise

Photo by Pixta
Beautiful pink hues adorn the Okawa riverbanks each spring, and visitors can enjoy a unique view of the cherry blossoms of Osaka via a river cruise. The Okawa River Sakura Cruise also allows passengers to see a unique side to some of the area's well-known sights, such as the Mint Museum, the Tenma Bridge, and Osaka Castle.

The cruise takes roughly 25 minutes and runs from late March to April. The cruise starts at Hachikenyahama Harbor, just north of Temmabashi Station, and departs every 10 minutes during the cherry blossom season.

Evening: Umeda Sky Building and Dinner

Photo by Pixta

In the evening, make your way to the towering buildings and bright lights of Umeda, one of Osaka’s liveliest areas and home to one of the city’s landmarks: the Umeda Sky Building. This marvel of modern architecture is made up of two colossal skyscrapers connected to each other by a dizzying aerial walkway, and the observation deck offers an incredible 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

Book your ticket for the Umeda Sky Building & Kuchu Teien Observatory.

Umeda is filled with great gourmet dining options for dinner. One place we recommend is located right under the Umeda Sky Building itself! Hidden in the building’s basement is the retro Takimi Koji, a dining area modeled to look like a Japanese street from the 1920s.

Providing Osaka staples such as okonomiyaki and kushikatsu as well as retro Japanese-style pubs, this unique dining and entertainment area will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

For recommended places to stay overnight in Osaka, please refer to the following article:

Day 2 Morning: Nagai Botanical Gardens

Photo by Pixta
One of the largest parks outside the hustle and bustle of the inner city, Nagai Park is home to both a botanical garden that features cherry blossoms as well as many plants unique to Osaka Prefecture.

Picture courtesy of Klook

The newest and most spectacular attraction is the teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka, which features teamLab's trademark interactive artworks that turn the park into a place of magic, whimsy, and wonder.

Book your ticket for the teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka!

Lunch in the Shinsekai Area and Tsutenkaku Tower

Photo by Pixta

Lunch on day two is best enjoyed in the wonderful district of Shinsekai. A microcosm of Kansai cooking, Shinsekai offers a sampling of the very best that Kansai food has to offer.

The biggest draw here is perhaps the sheer number of excellent kushikatsu places. Kushikatsu are deep-fried skewered meat and vegetable dishes. The shops in Shinsekai offer beautiful bite-sized morsels of breaded food paired with a sweet and savory brown sauce. You can choose from favorites like pork and sausage or be more experimental. This treat is perfect for a small pit stop or a long leisurely lunch.

After lunch, how about visiting the Tsutenkaku Tower? Its observatory is located 88 meters above ground and offers splendid views of Osaka City. Book your admission ticket to Osaka's Tsutenkaku Tower.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

One of the oldest shrines within Osaka, Sumiyoshi Taisha is only a short distance away from Shinsekai and has stood watch within the city for over two thousand years. Built in a style influenced by the Ise Grand Shrine, the shrine is a beautiful window into Shinto, Japan's main type of spirituality prior to the introduction of Buddhism starting from the sixth century AD.

A highlight of the shrine grounds is the Sorihashi Bridge, a beautiful vermilion arch that stretches over the shrine's pond and creates a beautiful double arch reflection on clear days.

Dinner in the Namba area

Photo by Pixta

Namba and Shinsaibashi are where Osaka really comes to life, and you can never go wrong finding a good eatery in this area of the city.

Stop by the iconic image of the Glico Man and enjoy a nice helping of takoyaki: tasty morsels of hot, steaming octopus fried in batter. Want to do some last-minute souvenir shopping? From cosmetics to pop culture items, the shopping arcades
of Shinsaibashi have you covered.

Enjoy Two Days of Sights and Cherry Blossoms in Osaka

Osaka offers a range of attractions and is even more spectacular during spring. From the soft pink blooms around Osaka Castle Park to the neon lights of Namba, this trip has something for all travelers and promises an unforgettable time!

Osaka Amazing Pass is a two-day ticket that includes the admission fees to most of the attractions featured in this itinerary. Book it here and enjoy your spring trip to Osaka!

Read also

Main image by Pixta

Written by

Salvo

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