Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge

What you'll do

Get off the beaten path and discover quieter sakura hotspots with your host, like Tondabayashi City and Expo Commemoration Park, hidden gems not often featured in guidebooks. Or, if you’re brave enough, fight your way through the frenzy at famous landmarks like Osaka Castle and the Osaka Mint, where hanami picnic spots are ridiculously tough to pin down, but the reward is an enviable photo!

Have your own hanami party featuring pink sakura mochi rice cakes stuffed full of sweet bean paste, and nibble on ichigo daifuku, a strawberry sweet that adds to the color of the countrywide festivities. Soak in the overwhelming significance of the celebrations, and learn how they coincide with fresh starts and new opportunities from your host.

Where you’ll go

Cherry blossom season is a stunning - but fleeting - time of celebration in Japan, but luckily you’ll have a local insider to help you make the most of it! Your local host will share a magical hanami experience with you - the local word for a cherry blossom viewing party - planning a classic Japanese picnic under the delicate flowers known as sakura. You’ll want to see the spectacular blooms at Osaka Mint and Osaka Castle, but it can be tough to find a spot to sit.

Not to worry - your host will lead you to local secrets like Sakuranomiya, near the Imperial Osaka Hotel, where sakura lines the riverbank with explosions of pastel pink. Indulge in festive delicacies and discover the cultural significance of this mystical annual celebration!

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 4 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking tour (may use public transport)

  • Hosted in English (On request: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish)

  • Your hotel/apartment or any other central location

Experience outline

  • Celebrate cherry blossom season like a local, with expert guidance from your host.
  • Visit Osaka’s most spectacular sights and see them painted pastel pink.
  • Learn all about the cultural significance of the season, with plenty of local insight.
  • Treat your tastebuds to festive sweets like sakura mochi rice cakes.
  • Indulge in a hanami picnic under a cherry tree in one of the city’s beautiful parks.
  • Snap stunning pics at iconic locations like Osaka Castle.

Things to know

What’s included

  • A traditional Japanese picnic (bento box, shared sushi platter, Japanese sweets, two drinks)
  • A private and personalized walking experience
  • 4 hours with a host
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s not included

  • Food and drinks, other than the ones included above
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Transportation costs
  • Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 14 days before the experience for a full refund
  • Worry-free cancellation terms: book with peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    Thomas is kind and patient. Told us so many kind of Japan culture. We are very happy with the Cherry blossom places that he brought us.

    April 2023

    Marlia H

    Thomas is kind and patient. Told us so many kind of Japan culture. We are very happy with the cherryblossom places that he brought us.

    April 2023

    Marlia H

    We signed up for a cherry blossom viewing because the timing worked out perfectly (being the peak cherry blossom) but otherwise we weren’t particularly interested in the ritual of cherry blossom viewing. Luckily, our tour guide Aki was extremely flexible and was willing to let us shape our experience around our requests, and after spending some time at a cherry blossom viewing area popular among locals, we hit the streets and saw more of the highlights of Osaka. Aki has fantastic English. She is articulate, entertaining, and enthusiastic. I would absolutely recommend her a tour guide for any of the excursions in Osaka

    March 2023

    Shin K

    Really great experience. Our guide Bennet was extremely interesting and enjoyable to get to know, he really made the experiencespecial.We had to make some last minute changes and we were really grateful that Bennet and the team were so helpful and the tour was personalised.

    April 2018

    Mike K

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Osaka. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

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