Complete Guide to Cherry Blossom Viewing in Kansai, Japan 🌸

Spring is here, and it's cherry blossom season again! According to official data from Japan, cherry blossoms in Osaka and Kyoto are expected to start blooming on March 26 and reach full bloom by April 3. The "snowfall" period will last until mid-April, making it the perfect time for a Qingming holiday trip! If you're planning to visit Kansai for cherry blossom viewing and photography, feel free to join our group for discussions. 🌸 Cherry Blossom Map - Osaka ➡️ Osaka Castle Park🏯: Over 300 Yoshino cherry trees surround the castle tower, creating a dreamy atmosphere, especially when lit up at night! The Nishinomaru Garden is the prime spot for photos, and wearing a kimono guarantees stunning shots! ➡️ Osaka Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Passage🌸: A 560-meter cherry blossom corridor with about 125 varieties and 370 cherry trees. It will be open to the public from April 5 to April 11, and reservations are required for entry. ➡️ Kema Sakuranomiya Park🌊: A 4.2-kilometer riverside cherry blossom trail, perfect for cycling or boat rides. The small shrines along the way add to the ambiance! ➡️ Katsuo-ji Temple🛕: An ancient mountain temple and cherry blossom secret spot where you can capture Daruma dolls and cherry blossoms together, combining prayer and photography! 🌸 Cherry Blossom Map - Kyoto ➡️ Kiyomizu-dera Temple🏛️: A World Heritage site with a stunning combination of the Kiyomizu stage and night cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom bells are perfect for spring! ➡️ Randen Cherry Blossom Tunnel🚃: Wait for the Randen train to pass through the 200-meter cherry blossom forest for a perfect shot of the train and flower sea! You can also take the Randen Kitano Line (between Utano and Narutaki stations) and capture the best views from the front or back of the train! ➡️ Keage Incline🛤️: A mix of abandoned railway and century-old cherry blossom forest, blending industrial style with natural beauty! Nearby are Nanzen-ji Temple and the Philosopher's Path, perfect for a sakura walk! ➡️ Sewari-tei (Yawata City)🌸: Kansai's top cherry blossom spot with a 1.4-kilometer cherry blossom corridor and 300 ancient trees forming a pink canopy, ideal for leisurely picnics and photography! ➡️ Gion Shirakawa🎎: A representative area of Kyoto's charm, where stone paths, townhouses, and weeping cherry blossoms create a picturesque scene. You might even encounter geisha under the night cherry blossom lights! ➡️ Hirano Shrine⛩: Unlike ordinary shrines with bright red colors, Hirano's spring is a gentle pink tone with lanterns and a sea of flowers, where cherry snow covers the sky, making even the air sweet! ‼️ Last year, I went to Japan with my best friend and joined a custom tour🚗, which was much more convenient than taking the train! During cherry blossom season, Japan is crowded, so it's best to visit during off-peak times or early in the morning. Flexibility in timing is crucial for capturing shots without people in the frame. ‼️ Additionally, we encountered many beautiful scenes while driving, which required stopping to capture fleeting light🌤️ or gaps in the crowd. ‼️ We were pleasantly surprised when our local driver took us to hidden paths and secret spots🗺️, not only transporting us but also guiding us on angles and poses. After traveling to 30 countries, I can say that our Asian friends have the best photography skills! #SpringIsForCherryBlossoms #JapanTravel #KansaiTravel #Osaka #Kyoto #CherryBlossoms #JapanCherryBlossomViewing #TravelGuide