Featuring a distinctive red brick facade, the Osaka Mint Bureau stands as one of the city’s last few pieces of Western-style architecture from the Meiji-era (1868–1912). Aside from housing the Japan Mint Museum, the grounds also boast a spectacular garden with over 300 sakura trees, most of which are of the late-blooming yae-zakura variety.
Needless to say, it’s one of Osaka’s most popular cherry blossom spots, especially for those who missed out on the earlier-blooming somei yoshino sakura that are more common across the city. However, this beautiful garden is open to the public fully for just one week in spring. This year, the Japan Mint Cherry Blossom Viewing event runs from April 9 to April 15.
Advance registration is required to enter the garden during this period, and spots fill up fast – so don’t delay. Registration opens March 18 via this dedicated webpage.