Osaka Castle Spring Festival

Make the most of cherry blossom season at the Osaka Castle Spring Festival. Regarded as one of the most popular sakura-themed events in all of Japan, this festival gives you a great opportunity to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

What happens?

Most people spend their time walking around and taking in the beautiful views of the 300 cherry blossoms. You can find food trucks and space for picnics in Nishinomaru Garden, and the Gozabune Boat cruise — which operates year-round — is especially popular in spring.

Schedule

Osaka Castle’s Nishinomaru Garden will hold nighttime cherry blossom viewing from March 20 to April 12, with around 300 illuminated cherry trees on display and extended opening hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Last admission is 8:30 p.m. and entry is ¥350 for high school students and older.

When the Japan Meteorological Agency officially declares the sakura in Osaka to be in bloom, Osaka Castle Tower will be lit up in cherry blossom pink from sunset to midnight. A paid barbecue area will also open near the Forest of Memorial Trees from March 20 to May 24, which is notable because barbecues are usually not allowed in the park.

From April 2 to June 26, the usually closed Hoshoan teahouse will open every Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except on April 3 and May 1, serving a matcha and Japanese sweets set for ¥1,500. There will also be seasonal goods on sale.

Tickets

Entrance to the castle park is free, however, you will need to pay admission for some of these events. One of these is the Cherry Blossom Illumination, which costs ¥350. The other is the barbecue area.

To see the temporary exhibitions, you will need to pay the regular admission price of ¥600.

How to get to Osaka Castle Spring Festival

Take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line or Tanimachi Line to Yonchome Station. From there, it is around an 18-minute walk to Osaka Castle Spring Festival.