Asia Travel: Biking in Osaka, Japan During Cherry Blossom Season

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When in Osaka, see the sights by scheduling a half-day bike tour. If you time your visit to cherry blossom season, you’re in for special treat.

Biking Path

Begin in the alleyways of Fukushima, and stop off at Osaka Central Hall. Walk your bike through Nakanoshima Park. Continue on to the Sakuranomiya riverside, home of 5,000 cherry blossom trees. Take a break at the Japan Mint. Make your way to Osaka Castle, surrounding park and Nishinomaru Garden. Finish the ride through Utsubo Park in Osaka’s hipster enclave of Nishi-ku.

Map of Locations

Bike from the meeting point to Osaka Central Hall

This Neo-Renaissance building was commissioned by the Japanese businessman, Mr. Einosuke Iwamoto, following a trip to the United States. He was inspired by Americans who donated their own funds to create spaces like Carnegie Hall. Iwamoto donated a million yen, about a billion dollars in today’s world.

Continue through Nakanoshima Park

Bike along the Sakuranomiya Riverside

As you bike in to Sakuranomiya, catch your first glimpses of the 5,000 cherry blossom trees that dot the riverside. It’s breathtaking.

You’d be lucky to get caught in a hanafubuki, a blizzard of falling petals. We were in town just before the cherry blossoms were in mankai, full bloom.

As you depart from the riverside, close your eyes, take in the aromas of the sweet blossoms and relish in this beautiful time of year.

Make your way to the Japanese Mint

The Japanese Mint was established in 1871 during the Meiji government. In addition to minting monies, the grounds also served as place for factories to make sulfuric acid, soda, coal gas and coke.