Osaka is a big city whose unique blend of urban, cultural, and edible delights has made it a perennial favorite amongst travelers both within and outside of Japan. So, you know it’s saying something when we propose that April might be the perfect month to experience the city to the fullest. Of course, the warm weather as spring has settled in makes it that much more enjoyable for sightseeing, letting you comfortably hop from one place to another. Not to mention the fact that the cherry blossoms would have fully bloomed by the end of March/early April, making Osaka’s already picture-perfect sites even more snapshot-worthy.
But with the blooming of the cherry blossoms comes also a cultural blossoming, which sees events – of nature, tradition, and the future that is to come – popping up throughout the country. Catch the ephemeral beauty of these beautiful flowers as well as festivals that you can only experience this April – in some cases, literally, only on this year’s April – in ever so charming Osaka:
Hanami Spots
Cherry blossoms at Osaka Castle – Photo Credit: Expo 2025 Hungary website
Osaka Castle
This symbolic landmark of Osaka also happens to be one of the best spots for cherry blossom viewing, or “hanami.” With over 3,000 trees blossoming all at once at the base of the castle, it truly becomes a sight to behold. Out of all of this, 300 are gathered in Nishinomaru Garden, which offers perfect views of the castle and its surrounding moat as well as night illuminations of the cherry blossoms. Make use of the hectares of lush open land and lay down a picnic blanket under the falling petals for a proper hanami experience.
Date: Early – Mid-April
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (main castle tower and Nishinomaru Garden), open 24 hours for Osaka Castle Park
Location: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-0002
Website: https://www.osakacastle.net/
Price: Free for Osaka Castle Park, 350 yen for Nishinomaru Garden during cherry blossom season
Cherry blossoms at Osaka Mint Bureau – Photo Credit: Japan Guide website
Osaka Mint Bureau
The head office of the Japan Mint is not just responsible for the issuance of coins, as once a year, it graciously opens its garden gates to share the beauty of its 300 cherry blossom trees with the world. Consisting of 141 varieties, the majority are of the “yaezakura” kind, which has more than five petals per flower and makes for especially fluffy-looking cherry blossoms. Stroll along the Okawa River under the 560-meter tunnel formed by these cute blossoms, which really resemble lavish lanterns under the evening illumination.
Date: Early – Mid-April
Time: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM (weekdays), 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM (weekend)
Location: 1-1-79 Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0043
Website: https://www.mint.go.jp/eng/enjoy-eng/sakura-eng
Price: Free (advance reservation through the website might be required)
Cherry blossoms at Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park – Photo Credit: Japan Guide website
Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park (& Osaka Wheel)
The site of the 1970 Osaka Expo is yet another popular spot for hanami, with its 5,000 cherry blossom trees scattered in between wide lawns, lush forests, and stunning flower gardens. Have a relaxing picnic under the trees or wander around to feel the full, unprecedented scope of nature found right in the middle of this bustling city. You can also visit the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, rent a paddle boat to discover underwater sculptures, and try to find all the remnants from the old Expo – the easiest of which to spot is the gigantic Tower of the Sun sculpture overlooking the cherry blossom trees.
This park offers many activities to keep the whole family busy throughout the day, ensuring that time flies by until the evening light-up. Snap pics of a 200-meter-long street of cherry blossom trees with Japan’s largest Ferris wheel in the background. Better yet, you can actually get on the wheel where you can enjoy exclusive views from above with cherry blossom-flavored sweets and drinks in hand!
Date: Mid-March – Early April, March 3rd – June 30th (Osaka Wheel cherry blossom event)
Time: 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM (last entry 8:30 PM)
Location: Senribanpakukoen, Suita, Osaka, 565-0826
Website: https://www.expo70-park.jp/
Price: 260 yen (park), 1600 yen (Osaka Wheel cherry blossom event; see website for more info: https://ticket.osaka-wheel.com/#158)
A cherry blossom tree and a view of the Osaka Plain from Satsukiyama Park – Photo Credit: Rakuten Travel website
Satsukiyama Park
If you want a more serene place to appreciate the beauty of the blossoms, then we recommend heading for nearby Ikeda City, where history, nature, and culture intertwine. Specifically, Satsukiyama Park at the foot of Mt. Satsuki offers panoramic views of the Osaka Plain as well as the 35,000 cherry blossoms planted right there in the park! Head to one of the observation decks to catch this stunning view – or perhaps challenge one of the hiking trails if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. Spend a relaxing day with your family at the playground or zoo, where you can interact with rare Australian wombats – the mascot of Ikeda City – and wallabies for no admission cost! At night, watch the lanterns light up the trails of pink blossoms winding all around you for a truly magical atmosphere.
Date: Early April
Time: Open 24 hours, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (zoo)
Location: 2-5 Ayaha, Ikeda, Osaka, 563-0051
Website: https://www.ikedashi-kanko.jp/spot/recommend-spot01
Price: Free (both for the park and zoo)
Cherry blossoms alongside the tracks of Yamanakadani Station – Photo Credit: Hannan City website
Yamanakadani
For even more peace and quiet for your cherry blossom excursion, the mountain village of Yamanakadani is a must-visit. A row of cherry blossom trees on either side greet you the moment you step off the train, giving you a glimpse of the 1,000 trees blooming all along the Yamanaka River. Take a breath of fresh air and feel the lingering history of this once bustling hot spring resort town through the surviving architecture. Get a taste of that time period during the “Hanakaido Yamanakadani Sakura Festival,” held during peak bloom, where traditional dance and drum performances will seem to light up the cherry blossoms alongside the evening illuminations.
Date: Late March – Early April
Time: Open 24 hours
Location: Yamanakadani, Hannan, Osaka
Website: https://www.city.hannan.lg.jp/kakuka/mirai/mkatsu/spot/sakura.html
Price: Free
Events
Aerial view of the venue layout plan for the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 – Photo Credit: Expo 2025 official website
Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025
The big wait is finally over because the Osaka-Kansai Expo finally opens its doors this April, 55 years since it became the first venue in Japan – and Asia – to hold a World Expo. Witness the gathering of life-changing innovations from all over the world under one common theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” and get a taste of Japan’s iconic traditions in between.
Each month sees various limited events held across the Expo’s many facilities. Take in the beauty of Japanese flower arranging at the ikebana exhibition, an April-exclusive event, which illustrates the artform’s long history through the creations of the Ikenobo school, a representative ikebana institution. And don’t miss the special opening program of the Expo, “Physical Twin Symphony,” which promises an “experimental live entertainment where people and technology co-create.” From traditional dance and music performances to spectacular projection shows utilizing the most cutting-edge technology, there’s a lot to take in, even in just a one-day visit.
Dates: April 13th – October 13th
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location: Yumeshima, Konohana-ku, Osaka
Website: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/
Price: Ranges from 3,700 to 7,500 yen for a single-entry, adult ticket. It’s recommended to purchase a ticket in advance for cheaper prices. See the website for more info: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/tickets-index/price/
An exhibition from a previous Osaka Kansai International Art Festival – Photo Credit: Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival website
Osaka Kansai International Art Festival
With dates that coincide with the Osaka-Kansai Expo, arguably the area’s biggest event of the year, this contemporary art festival will similarly wow you with its sheer scope. Art installations by local talents and international artists – from a total of 158 countries! – will decorate Osaka’s symbolic locations, including the Expo site and the Osaka Bay area. Under the theme of “social impact,” the installations will aim to capture social issues in art form. Moreover, collaborations with countries like Germany, South Korea, and the EU will further explore the relationship that different cultures have with art and with one another. This event gives the whole family a chance to explore the city by giving you an excuse to hit up Osaka’s most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods. Follow along the trails hidden beneath the beaten path to feel the essence of Kansai culture, as expressed through these immersive artworks.
Date: April 13th – October 13th (dates vary depending on the venue)
Locations: Osaka-Kansai Expo site; Osaka Culturarium Tempozan; Osaka International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka), etc. See the website for info on venues in Semba, Nishinari, and other areas: https://osaka-kansai.art/en/pages/venue.
Website: https://osaka-kansai.art/
Price: 3,000 yen advance ticket for adults, or 3,500 on the spot, excluding the Osaka Expo and Art Fair venues. For entry to all venues, it’s a 5,000 yen advance ticket for adults or 6,000 at the door. See the website for more info: https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/ticket.
The layout plan for the Gundam Next Future Final Exhibition in Osaka, which includes life-sized displays of Gundam heads – Photo Credit: Bandai Hobby website
Gundam Next Future Final Exhibition in Osaka
If you’re a mecha fan, Osaka has even got you covered with this time-limited exhibition. It’s set in the two-week lead-up to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which will see a life-sized Gundam at the franchise’s very own space station-themed pavilion. But even if you can’t make it to the Expo, this final stop of the nationwide exhibition tour promises a grand scale – a fitting celebration for the franchise’s 45-year anniversary. In addition to venue-only Gunpla models, get an exclusive first look at the new anime, “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX.” And if you’re still missing that full-scale Gundam action, feast your eyes on the GQuuuuuuX head on display for the anime’s world premiere. Get hands-on by assembling Gunpla models on-site, using the sight of yet another full-sized arm monument made from recycled runners to feed your creativity (and competitiveness).
Date: April 1st -14th
Time: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (7:00 PM on the last day; last entry is 30 minutes before closing)
Location: Grand Front Osaka, 4-20 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0011
Website: https://bandai-hobby.net/site/gnf/2025/osaka/
Price: Free
Bugaku dancers performing at the Shoryoe Memorial Ceremony – Photo Credit: The KANSAI Guide website
Shoryoe Memorial Ceremony
Arguably the most important ceremony held by the historic Shitennoji temple, this event honors Prince Shotoku, the one responsible for the spread of Buddhism in Japan, as well as the building of Shitennoji over 1,400 years ago. It’s a rare chance to see the ancient art form of “bugaku,” which has been performed in the Japanese imperial courts for over 1,200 years. The highlight of the Shoryoe Memorial Ceremony will surely mesmerize you with its striking aesthetics, from the dancers’ butterfly costumes and elaborate masks to the stage decorations shaped like red spider lilies. Don’t miss out on the flea market, which has been held on the 21st and 22nd of every month for the past 200 years, for some Osaka delicacies and an antique souvenir to commemorate this special occasion.
Date: April 22nd
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: 11-18 Shitennoji 1-chome, Tennoji-ku, Osaka City, Osaka, 543-0051
Website: https://www.shitennoji.or.jp/
Price: Free
Poster for the National Treasures of Japan Exhibition – Photo Credit: Tsumugu Japan Art & Culture website
National Treasures of Japan Exhibition
History lovers will not want to pass up on this exhibition, which sees nearly 130 of Japan’s designated Natural Treasures gathered in one very fitting location. Coinciding with two special occasions, the Osaka-Kansai Expo and the grand reopening of the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts after two years of renovations, it’s a chance to look back on traditional Japanese culture whilst also heading towards the future. From ancient relics marking the start of Japan’s shared history to the treasures that capture the heart and soul of Osaka culture specifically, you’ll find that there are countless fragments shaping the unique city we see now. With the exhibition being held in six phases, you’ll be sure to see different parts of the puzzle depending on when you go. Who knows, maybe you’ll even decide to visit again to satisfy that curious mind by the end of your trip!
Date: April 26th – June 15th (closed on Mondays, except special openings on April 28th & May 5th)
Time: 9:30 AM – 5:00 P.M. (Tuesday – Friday, Sundays), 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Saturdays, May 4 & 5)
Location: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Tennoji Park, 1-82 Chausuyamacho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, 543-0063
Website: https://tsumugu.yomiuri.co.jp/kokuhou2025/
Price: 2,400 yen for adults; 1,700 for university & high school students; 500 for elementary & junior high school students
No matter which specific dates you decide to visit Osaka, rest assured that you’ll be able to catch at least one unforgettable event to color your memories. From the delicate pink of the cherry blossoms to the vibrant lights and banners at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, you’ll find that this normally lively destination will be bursting with even more vivid shades in April 2025. With the pleasant spring weather bringing out the full kaleidoscope of its charms, why not hit up some of the events held in this culturally rich city, which’ll let you go beyond just the friendly people and delicious food – though no one’s going to complain about that!
Featured Photo Credit: Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park website
