Osaka: Just Opened

This year's cherry blossom season started slow and a little later compared to the average year, due to the below-average temperatures for a large proportion of March. However, the temperatures since Friday have been higher than average, and consequently, the opening of the cherry blossoms has been sped up. As expected, almost all the prefectural capitals west of Kobe in Kyushu, Shikoku, Chugoku regions have announced the opening of their first blossoms by today.

I was in Osaka today, which was the same day as the announcement of the opening of the first blossoms. I found less than one percent of the blossoms open in the two spots I visited, but given the warmer than average temperatures forecast for the next few days, the cherry blossoms would require less time than average to open. As such, I predict the best viewing period to start from the middle of next week, then continue for another week or so barring inclement weather.

Other prefectural cities that announced the opening of their first blossoms today include Oita, Okayama, Wakayama, Shizuoka and Tsu.

I started my day at Kema Sakuranomiya Park, a popular cherry blossom spot in central Osaka. I found few open blossoms in the park, and most of the blossoms were still in their buds. I expect many of the blossoms to open by the first half of next week, and the best viewing period to start from the middle of next week.

I walked to Osaka Castle from Kema Sakuranomiya Park, and like the park, the cherry trees on the castle grounds did not have many open blossoms at all. Osaka City's representative cherry tree, whose blossoms determine the opening of the season and full bloom, can be found on the castle grounds. The opening of the first blossoms is announced when 5-6 blossoms are observed, and I counted 7-8 blossoms when I was there. The warmer temperatures forecast for the next few days should hasten the pace of the blossoms opening, and I expect many of the blossoms to be open by the first half of next week, and the best viewing period to start from the middle of next week.

Until April 7, the Nishinomaru Garden is illuminated in the evenings from 18:00 to 21:00. The garden itself is open from 9:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:30). Admission to the garden only costs 350 yen.