All you need to know about the latest forecast plus sakura events and illuminations in Osaka, Kyoto and other Kansai cities
Cherry blossoms are a cause for celebration. Not only do they mark the arrival of spring, but these pale pink blooms also transform Osaka’s parks, gardens and streets into a soft, pastel-coloured landscape.
Due to the flower's fleeting nature – sakura last only one to two weeks after blooming – many of the city’s top cherry blossom spots host festivals and illuminations to make the most of the short season.
At these festivals, you can partake in the local hanami tradition, enjoying a picnic beneath the blooms, accompanied by entertainment as well as food and drink stalls. The illuminations, meanwhile, give you extra time to admire the delicate flowers. Cherry blossoms are beautiful in daylight, but at night, they become truly enchanting when set aglow.
So for the next couple of weeks from late March to early April, make sure to fill up your calendar with as many cherry blossom events and illuminations as you can. We especially love the festivals at Osaka Castle Park and Expo ’70 Commemorative Park – get all the details below.
GOING TO KYOTO? Here are Kyoto’s top cherry blossom events and illuminations for 2026.
