[Cherry Blossom Spots in Osaka] Twelve of Osaka’s Parks Perfect for Cherry Blossom Picnics—from Hidden Gems to the Classics!

All in all there are approximately 314 parks in Osaka.
As we move into spring, you’ll probably want to enjoy a cherry blossom picnic or walk among the cherry trees with your family and friends.
To give you an idea of where to go, I’ll be introducing some of Osaka’s best parks for beautiful cherry blossoms, from the classics to hidden gems!

Osaka Castle Park

Osaka Castle Park is a gorgeous green space that sprawls in all directions around Osaka Castle, one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions. Inside the park you’ll find Nishinomaru Garden, a sprawling 105 hectares garden that’s surrounded by important cultural properties on all sides. It is known as a particularly beautiful place to see the cherries since there are approximately 300 cherry trees, mainly Somei Yoshino inside the garden, and there are gorgeous views of the main castle tower from within the garden. There are approximately 3,000 cherry trees in total throughout Osaka Castle Park, so you can feel spring everywhere you go.

The cherry blossoms in Nishinomaru Garden are lit at night so it is an especially beautiful sight to see. It is a cherry blossom spot that you will want to visit again and again to experience the gentle atmosphere of the flowers during the day and the fantastic atmosphere of the cherry blossoms at night!

Expo Commemorative Park

The cherry blossoms at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park are so beautiful, the park has been selected as one of the “100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan.” The park boasts approximately 5,500 cherry trees in 12 varieties that compliment the park’s iconic statue “Tower of the Sun,” a symbol of the 1970 Japan World Expo (Osaka Expo).

The spacious park of about 260 hectares is painted pink with the various shades of cherry blossoms from Higanzakura and Kanhizakura trees that begin blooming in mid-March, followed by Somei Yoshino and other cherry tree varieties.

This year, “SAKURA EXPO 2025” will be held from March 20th (National Holiday) to April 6th (Sunday), 2025. Events to enjoy the cherry blossoms will be held in the park, including cherry blossom gourmet food from about 20–40 stands. Plus a section of about 100 cherry trees will be lit evenings March 28 thru April 8.

Nagai Park

Nagai Park is a vast park in the south of Osaka, known for its many sporting facilities, like the sports stadium, athletics fields, skateboard park, tennis courts, and futsal court. In total it has an area of ​​approximately 65.7 hectares.

The park is home to about 500 cherry trees, many of which can be found in the Woods of Hometowns and Woods of Memories areas. Plus there is a sprawling outdoor Nagai Botanical Garden, located in the southeast corner of the park, where you can enjoy about 400 different varieties of cherry trees, mainly around the island and the large pond.

Inside Nagai Park there are also stylish cafes and restaurants, sweets shops, and athletic courses that you can enjoy with children, many of which opened in 2022. So there are plenty of gourmet foods and activities to enjoy along with your cherry blossom viewing.

Flower Expo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi

Flower Expo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi, often called simply Tsurumi Ryokuchi, was developed on the site of the former EXPO’90 International Garden and Greenery Exposition. You can enjoy the seasonal cherry blossoms that brighten up the park for a long period of time, including Kawazu cherry blossoms—which are in full bloom from late February— in addition to later varieties like Okame, Yohko, and Somei Yoshino.

There are an impressive 1,100 Somei Yoshino cherry trees planted throughout the park. In some areas many cherry trees are planted side by side and in other areas there are only a few are planted here and there. So it’s fun to stroll around the park and look for your favorite cherry blossoms♪

Daisen Park

Daisen Park is a lush green park located near the famous Tomb of Emperor Nintoku, one of the world’s largest tombs, and part of the Mozu Tomb Group, a registered World Heritage Site. It has also been selected as one of the “100 Best Historical Parks in Japan” and is a symbolic park representing the city of Sakai.

The park, which stretches over 81 hectares, is home to about 1,000 cherry trees of various varieties, including Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, and Oshimazakura. Every spring it is bustling with people enjoying cherry blossoms and picnics! In addition to the cherry blossoms, there are cultural facilities such as museums, teahouses, and Japanese gardens. You can easily spend a meaningful holiday with your family and friends while experiencing history and culture at Daisen Park♪

Hanazono Central Park

Hanazono Central Park is the cultural and sports hub of Higashi Osaka City. In this lush park, you can enjoy early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms, Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, and late-blooming double cherry blossoms. In particular, the cherry blossom line on the south side of Hanazono Rugby Stadium creates a cherry blossom corridor with about 1,000 cherry trees.

When in full bloom, this cherry blossom tunnel is crowded with many visitors every year. Plus there are lots of attractions for families! The Planet City Sports Stadium is of course popular and there’s a plaza and playground with a space theme featuring a giant rugby ball reminiscent of a rocket. Kids love it here so it’s a great park for families.

Hamadera Park

Hamadera Park is one of the oldest parks in Osaka. It covers an area of ​​approximately 22.1 hectares and is well-equipped with sports facilities such as tennis courts and a sports field. Plus there is an amusement park with children’s trains and go-karts, making it a popular all-purpose park that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Cherry trees with different flowering periods and colors, including Somei-Yoshino, Oshima-zakura, Youkou, and Yaezakura, are planted here, allowing you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing for a relatively long period in spring. The cherry trees in Hamadera Park are generally low-growing, so you can admire the beautiful flowering cherries closely even while seated. It is a great park for cherry blossom viewing picnics♪

A new BBQ spot called “GoodBBQ” opened in 2024 where you can enjoy grilling your own meal without the hassle of bringing anything. Why not hold a cherry blossom viewing BBQ with your family and friends?

Uchiagegawa Chisui Ryokuchi Park

Uchiagegawa Chisui Ryokuchi Park is located in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture. The park was built to control the flow of the Neyagawa and Uchiage rivers in the event of flooding, and the land is generally low and flat. This means when you visit, you can enjoy great visibility and a wide open ambiance that is refreshing.

In spring, about 200 trees along the promenade create a 400-meter-long cherry blossom tunnel. When in full bloom, you can enjoy so many cherry blossoms that your line of site will be filled with beautiful pink blossoms. This is definitely a hidden gem spot for viewing cherry blossoms♪

The park has a lawn area, a sports zone where you can play ground golf and gateball, a barbecue area, and a dog run. The park is also a great spot for bird watching near the water. It’s a popular park, but not necessarily on everyone’s cherry blossom radar, yet.

Sayamaike Park

Sayamaike Park is named after the large Sayama Pond in the center of the park, which is located in Sayama City, Osaka. Approximately 1,000 cherry trees have been planted along the park paths and around the Sayamaike Museum, making it a spot where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing from an early season in Osaka!

Many of the cherry trees in the park are of the Koshinohigan variety, which produces lovely pale pink blossoms. As they flower earlier than Somei-Yoshino, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom earlier than at other famous cherry blossom spots in Osaka. On sunny days, the contrast between the cherry blossoms, sky, and river is beautiful, creating a spring landscape of pinks, greens, and blues.

Momogaike Park

Momogaike Park, located in Abeno Ward, Osaka City, is named for the flowering peach trees (momo) planted throughout the park. They boast beautiful bright pink flowers from February to March. Beginning in mid-March, the cherry trees around Momogaike Pond bloom all at once, signaling the arrival of spring. When the cherry petals begin to fall, the petals accumulate in Momogaike Pond, creating a dreamy pink swirls on the water surface.

The park is calm with a peaceful atmosphere. Children can be seen playing on the playground equipment and joggers are often running in the park. It is definitely a special place that local residents enjoy to the fullest. There isn’t much seating space, neither grass nor benches. So it is probably better for enjoying a cherry blossom stroll rather than planning your cherry blossom viewing picnic here.

Oizumi Ryokuchi

Oizumi Ryokuchi is a large wooded park boasting an incredible 320,000 trees of about 200 different species. Approximately 600 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are growing in the area called Sakura Hiroba, located on the north side of the park. There is a lot of grass, so it’s the perfect place to lay out a picnic blanket and enjoy a leisurely day under the cherry blossoms.

On the south side, there are a number of sports facilities, where you can enjoy activities such as baseball, tennis, and other ball games. But reservations are required in advance.

Fukakita Ryokuchi Park

Fukakita Ryokuchi Park boasts a full range of facilities, including tennis courts, a dog run, a skateboard park, a large playground, and a barbecue area, all within its 44.7-hectares.

In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms that grow all throughout the park, and in the area known as the “Sakura Garden,” you can enjoy a pink landscape that seems as if you are buried in cherry blossoms♪

Many types of cherry blossoms are planted, including early-blooming Kanhizakura, weeping cherry, and double cherry, with a focus on Somei-Yoshino. At night, a light-up Night Cherry Blossom Light Walk is held, allowing you to enjoy the fantastical cherry blossoms at night.

What did you think of this list of beautiful cherry blossom parks in Osaka?
I hope you could find your favorite park and enjoy a springtime in and around the city!