We previously covered the top cherry blossom events to enjoy in Japan’s Kanto region for this year’s hanami. If you’re travelling to the Kansai region however―which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe and many others―then we’ve got you covered for that too. Here are our Top 3 picks for cherry blossom events you should visit this flower-viewing spring season in Kansai.
Kyoto Botanical Garden – Sakura Light-Up 2019
Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Sakura Light-Up 2019 will run from March 25 to April 7 followed by the Sakura Sanpo cherry blossom strolling event from April 19 to 21. The garden boasts a long cherry blossom season. In many famous cherry blossom spots in Japan the Yoshino cherry trees bloom for one week at the beginning of April, but at Kyoto Botanical Garden they sprout early in mid-March and stay until the end of April, meaning you can enjoy the beautiful pink hues for even longer.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/163353
■Information
Kyoto Botanical Garden
Address: Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
Price: General ¥200 / High School Students ¥150 / Junior High School Students and below – Free / 70+ Years and Disabled – Free
TEL: 075-701-0141
Website: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/plant/
Sakura Light-Up 2019
Running: March 25, 2019 – April 7, 201
Time: After Sunset (Around 6:30PM) to 9:00PM (Last Entries: 8:00PM)
Price: The price of entry only
*The park hours are extended from the usual 5:00PM closing time to 9:00PM
Sakura Sanpo
2019/4/19 @ 1:00PM-1:45PM
2019/4/20 @ 1:00PM-1:45PM, 5:00PM-5:45PM
2019/4/21 @ 5:00PM-5:45PM
Price: The price of entry only
*Due to opening hour extensions form April 8 to May 19 the usual 5:00PM closure time will extend to 6:30PM (Last Entries: 6:00PM)
*Those wishing to participate at either 1:00PM or 5:00PM must meet in front of the Shokubutsuen Kaikan.
CAFETEL Kyoto Sanjo for Ladies – SAKURA ROOM
CAFETEL Kyoto Sanjo for Ladies is a female-oriented café and hostel that is now taking bookings for its SAKURA ROOM. This beautiful room radiates a spring vibe with its light coloured ribbon curtains, a cherry blossom fragrance that permeates the room, pretty cherry blossom flower crowns and more. There are plenty of places to snap some Instagrammable pictures. From outside the window guests can the scenery of the city of Kamogawa so they can enjoy hanami from their room!
■Information
CAFETEL Kyoto Sanjo for Ladies – SAKURA ROOM
Running: March 10, 2019 – April 30, 2019
No. of Rooms: 1 (accommodates 3 people)
Price: From ¥15,000 (*Tax & service charge included. Separate accommodation tax fee applies. Price will vary depending on the day of booking.)
CAFETEL Kyoto Sanjo for Ladies
Address: 173 Shingokencho, Higashiyama, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Website: https://cafetel.jp/
Osaka Hirakata Park – Enjoy 300 Cherry Trees桜300本が楽しめる 大阪ひらかたパーク
From the end of March to the beginning of April, sakura will bloom at Hirakata amusement park. There are approximately 300 sakura trees and eight varieties of tree including Yoshino cherry blossoms. Amongst the park attractions is the “Skywalker”; a giant ferris wheel that overlooks the park. The path to the ride is hilly and lined with sakura trees, so during full bloom, the path is completely covered in a bed of pink petals. Enjoy the cherry blossoms while riding the attractions!
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/186019
■Information
Hirakata Park
Address: 1-1 Hirakatakōenchō, Hirakata, Osaka
Opening Hours
Weekdays: 10:00-17:00
Weekends & Holidays: [March 25 – April 5] 10:00-18:00 / [April 27 – May 6] 10:00-19:00
*Closed Wednesdays from March 13 to June 26 (except March 27, April 3 and May 1)
Entry Price: General (Junior High School and above) ¥1,400 / Children (2-Year-Olds to Elementary School) ¥800
Website: http://www.hirakatapark.co.jp/
Did you enjoy this list? Be sure to see as many cherry blossom spots as you can when in Japan.
RELATED ENTRIES
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Cafe Accueil Ebisu is currently offering a limited Sakura-themed menu featuring pancakes, afternoon tea, and drinks until April 10, 2022. Sakura & Strawberry Pancakes
Sakura Afternoon Tea Special Latte with Cherry Blossoms The seasonal menu includes Sakura & Strawberry Pancakes with pale pink and strawberry red accents, and savory items such as a croissant with cherry cheese cream. Guests can also enjoy Sakura Afternoon Tea, a colorful 12-item menu featuring cherry and strawberry delights. Come enjoy the coming of spring at this gorgeous Tokyo cafe! Information
Cafe Accueil Ebisu Sakura Season Special Menu
Available until April 10, 2022
Address: 2-10-10 Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00-22:00 (Last Order at 21:00)
Official Site: http://accueil.co.jp/ebisu/
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People flock to Kanda Myojin to pray for good luck at the start of the new financial year, surrounded by beautiful pink blooms. The shrine offers beautiful sights during the day, and this year, it's collaborating with digital art collective NAKED to host a beautiful light-up event every evening from March 26 until April 10, 2022. Kanda Myojin is a hidden cherry blossom viewing spot in Tokyo. This spring-only event is held in the hope that people will pray at Kanda Myojin, one of the most popular power spots in Tokyo, for a great start to the new year. Guests will be able to see cherry blossom trees lit up in iridescent lights with pink petals projected on the ground. Some of the digital sakura are interactive and change shape and color when you’re nearby. Digital art is even incorporated at the hand sanitizing station, where you’ll see vivid pink sakura projected onto your palms. Visitors will also be handed a special Naked Distance Lantern, which naturally creates distance between others as you hold it up.
Information
NAKED Sakura Pilgimage
Location: Kanda Myojin Shrine
Running: March 26 – April 10, 2022
Hours: 18:00-20:30
Admission: FreeOfficial Site: https://myoujin-sakura.com/
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Lake Biwa Canal, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Shiga, will be completely illuminated each night from March 25 until April 10! The nearby Onjo-ji Temple will also be lit up during the duration of the event. Lake Biwa, Otsu Spring Illumination - Cherry Blossoms on the Lake Biwa Canal
The Lake Biwa Canal carries water from the biggest lake in Japan to Kyoto and was built during the Meiji era using the best civil engineering technology of the time. Both sides of the bank are lined with almost 200 cherry trees, making it one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots with a spectacular view leading to Onjo-ji Temple. Onjo-ji Spring Illumination 2022 Over 600 lights will be set up around the temple grounds to illuminate the cherry blossoms. The national treasures and designated cultural properties will be completely open to the public for nighttime viewing. Information
Lake Biwa, Otsu Spring Illumination – Cherry Blossoms on the Lake Biwa Canal
Running: March 25 – April 10 (Dates may change depending on when cherry blossoms bloom)
Hours: 18:00 – 21:30
Location: Lake Biwa Canal
Sponsored by the Lake Biwako Otsu Tourism AssociationOnjo-ji Spring Illumination 2022
Running: March 25 – April 10
Hours: 18:00 – 21:30 (Last Entry at 21:00)
Location: Onji-ji Temple
Admission: Adults ¥1,000 / Children ¥500
*Public transportation is recommended due to heavy congestion on surrounding roads during the event period. -
Wishing you could be in Japan to see the cherry blossoms? The Cherry Blossom Drone Project on March 27 will be live-broadcasting some of the most beautiful blossoms in the country to viewers around the world. Incredible 4K aerial footage will be available to watch on YouTube LIVE for free from 12:00 until 19:00 on March 27, 2022. No matter where you are, you’ll be able to lose yourself in the feeling of spring. Three Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots Chosen by Sakura Enthusiasts Breathtaking Mountain Cherry Blossoms at Mount Yoshino in Nara
The First New Sakura Species in Over 100 Years Found in Wakayama Prefecture A Sea of Cherry Blossoms at Takato Joshi Park in Ina, Nagano Prefecture Information
Online Hanami
Date: March 27, 12:00-19:00
Fee: Free
Where to Watch: YouTube LIVE
https://www.youtube.com/channelUCb8WTSeDH2LcxPtkIrKwSEw
Official Site: https://drone-entertainment.co.jp/ -
Creative company NAKED has opened its popular annual spring event NAKED Sakura Aquarium at Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa until April 17, 2022. Since winter 2015, Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa and NAKED have held a number of collaborative events each season based on blending the concepts of sound, light, images, and living things. The centerpiece of this spring event is the immersive area titled ‘Patterns.’ The walls of the aquarium are decorated with fluttering cherry blossoms as petals dance across the ground, pulling guests into a virtual Japanese garden. The Garden of Dancing Sakura
Fluttering Sakura Flower Lantern Nighttime Dolphin Performance 'Sakura Story' NAKED Tsukubai - Sakura Version Guests can also enjoy a cherry blossom version of NAKED Tsukubai, a virtual hand-washing experience. Why not come experience spring in a whole new way? Information
NAKED Sakura Aquarium
Address: Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa (4-10-30 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Running: March 12 – April 17, 2022
Details/Tickets: http://www.aqua-park.jp/special/sakuraaquarium2022/Official Site: www.aqua-park.jp
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Flower Miffy Juice Garden, a drink stand featuring Dick Bruna’s popular character Miffy, is now offering a limited-time cherry blossom beverage at its Asakusa location!
Strawberry
Green Apple
Cherry Blossom Season with Miffy
The Slightly Sakura Drink is inspired by springtime and features a sweet whipped topping with cherry blossom-colored copeau de chocolat. The base of the drink is sakura-colored milk available in green apple and strawberry flavors. Each beverage comes with a Miffy cookie for added cuteness! A Cherry Blossom flower arrangement is also available for purchase at the Flower Miffy online store. Illustrations Dick Bruna Ⓒ copyright Mercis bv,1953-2022 www.miffy.comInformation
Flower Miffy Slightly Sakura Drink
Available Now
Location: Flower Miffy Juice Garden Asakusa
Cherry Blossom Season with Miffy
Locations:Flower Miffy Net Shop: https://www.benelic-flower.com/
Product Page:https://bit.ly/3BHpNEL