Full bloom Cherry Blossom at Osaka Castle
The cherry blossom, or sakura in Japan, is the flower of trees in Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Sakura usually refers to flowers of ornamental cherry trees, such as cultivars of Prunus serrulata, not trees grown for their fruit.
This post is my 7th time to visit Japan particularly in Osaka and Kyoto for the period April 4-11, 2026 with my best friend, Rome Frias. This was my second time in Osaka and Kyoto. Now, let me narrate how did its details unfolded from day to day and how I spent on it.
While at Rome's apartment in Pasay City
Coming from my Albay residence, I left at 5:46 P.M. boarding an airconditioned Alps Bus on April 2, 2026 for a discounted fare of P880 (Gross is P1,100) since I am a senior citizen already and arrived at Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX0 in Paranaque, Metro Manila at 3:35 A.M. the following day, barely 10 hours of road travel. I stayed with Rome until after trip's departure on April 4, 2026.
Day 0 - April 4, 2026
Upon arrival at Mactan Domestic Airport
Rome and I left NAIA Terminal III at 7:25 P.M. boarding Cebu Pacific Flight No. 5J 573 on April 4, 2026 and arrived at Cebu Domestic Airport (Mactan) at 9:05 P.M. for a layover for Kansai International Airport, with an air travel duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes. Rome treated me then for a dinner at the airport's Harbor City Restaurant.
The world-class Mactan International Airport
After our dinner, we proceed to the adjacent Mactan International Airport for an early check-in at around 10:00 P.M. It was already at dawn of April 5 leaving at 2:55 A.M. boarding Cebu Pacific Flight No. 5J 5108 and arrived at Kansai International Airport at 8:15 A.M.
Day 1 - April 5, 2026
Upon arrival at Terminal I of Kansai Airport Station
While at the airport, we did the following transactions:
- ATM withdrawal of 10,000 yen equivalent to P4,093.10 or US$61.56 with a withdrawal charge of 110 yen or P54.02 or US$0.68.
- Purchase a Kansai 3-Day Pass of 6,500 yen or P2,557.52 or US$40.01.
- Purchase a Japan sim card for 2,500 yen or P1,023.28 or US$15.39.
- Purchase an ICOCA card for 2,000 yen or P818.55 or US$12.31 where its 500 yen is a deposit or P204.64 or US$3.08 while the other 1,500 yen can serve as a train card load or can be used to purchased food or other items anywhere in Japan like the convenience stores and malls.
Lunch at Matsuya Fastfood near Namba Station
We boarded a train from the airport at 10:45 A.M. using my 3-day Kansai train pass for 45 minutes. If I did not use the train pass the regular train fare would be 970 yen or P396.99 or US$5.97. We arrived at Osaka Namba Station at 11:30 A.M. We had a long walk searching for our hotel location using the Globe Map app. This is the reason why a traveler in Japan should have an internet access starting from the airport. Since we were hungry, we stopped at Matsuya fastfood to have lunch at 12:02 Noon. My order was a grated radish beef rice bowl for 680 yen or P278.31 or US$4.19.
Locking our luggage at our hotel accommodation
It was only 12:59 Noon when we arrived in our hotel accommodation at Henn Na Hotel Express Osaka located at 1-5-20 Nipponbashi, Chu O-ko, Osaka 5420073 and the check-in should be at 2:00 P.M. Since, early check-in is not allowed, we just locked our luggage down the locker provided to us to secure valuables and then we went out for a nearby sightseeing. The hotel can be called thru their telephone number at 815055742800.
Hotel self check-in
At around 2:20 P.M., we returned back to the hotel for self check-in. Everything is done online and nobody will assist. As you encoded all the check-in details at the terminal, you will get your hotel key card.
Room 709 Henn Na Hotel Express Osaka accommodation
Upon entry in our hotel room. We rested for a couple of 2 hours. We have no sleep since coming from Mactan International Airport the other day.
My first Cherry Blossom experience at Sakuranomiya Park
From our hotel, we took a train using a 3-day Kansai train pass. But in another train route heading to our destination, the pass was not valid. Thus, we need to use the ICOCA card as an alternative thru JR Nishisakuranomiya from JR Nishitsukuhashi Station to Sakuranomiya station for 360 yen or P147.34 or US$2.22.
With Rome at Sakuranomiya Park
The park is just a walking distance from the train station and it was quite accessible. It was an overwhelming experience and looking around, I was amazed that most of the people there groups or families having picnic enjoying food and drinks. There is no entrance fee in this massive park.
One of my best pictures at Sakaranomiya Park
The park is a long stretch of land along Okawa River which is officially the lower section of the Yodo River. It is actually a section of the waterway famous for its name Kema Sakuranomiya Park, a 4.2-kilometer linear riverside park that features approximately 4,500 cherry trees, making it one of the most popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots in the city.
The following pictures were still taken at Sakuranomiya Park:
We stayed at the park until 6:28 P.M. In returning to our hotel accommodation, we took a train using ICOCA card at the Entrance Earth Bridge of Daichi Nihonbashi to Sakuranomiya stations amounting to 190 yen or P77.36 or US$1.17. The rest of the 2 train routes were charged in our 3-day Kansai train pass. On our way back to the hotel, we had dinner at Family Mart Nihonbashi 1-chrome store with a meal pack of Spiced Cutlet Curry for 645 yen or P263.98 or US$3.97.
Day 2 - April 6, 2026
The hotel has a complimentary breakfast, though unlike my previous accommodation in Fukuoka of Unplan Fukuoka where breakfast items are unlimited, here it only provides one frozen meal pack without coffee or other drinks.
Heading to the Hydrangea and Deutzia Garden
Our first destination for the day is the Osaka Castle arriving there at 9:55 A.M. using my 3-day Kansai train pass. This is my second time to visit this tourist spot. The first time was when I first visited Japan. The body of water visible in the picture is called moat, an artificial body of water surrounding the castle. Hydrangea and Deutzia Garden is just a short walking distance from Tanimachi 4-chrome train station and facing the Southern Outer Moat.
While at Hydrangea and Deutzia Garden
Osaka Castle is consist of the inner castle grounds covering approximately 60,000 square meters (15 acres). However, when including the surrounding Osaka Castle Park - which encompasses moats, fortifications, and extensive public green spaces - the entire complex spans 1,056,000 square meters (105.6 hectares or about 260 acres).
There is no entrance fee to the castle complex, but if the visitors desire to enter the main castle, the fee is 1,200 yen or P491.13 or US$7.39 for adults. On my part, I did not enter the castle since the complex itself is more than enough to enjoy.
Miraiza Osaka-Jo Complex
Getting inside the Otemon Gate might be almost 90 meters away from Hydrangea and Deutizia Garden and as we enter the castle complex, we reached the Miraiza Osaka-Jo Building, a chic complex in a historic building, featuring restaurants, bars and samurai and ninja themed stores.
A stone's throw from Miraiza complex
Most of the trees inside the castle complex are not of cherry blossom species. Though the complex offers the best scenery whatever angle you maybe.
Capturing the castle at its totality
There are a lot of concrete benches around the castle and even food stalls and souvenirs. We did not bother to enter the castle for we were contented already with the whole complex.
The view from the elevated foot of the castle
The other side of the castle
This part is just near the Marked Stones and Yamazato-maru where it empties to the Northern Inner Moat connected by the Gokurakubashi Bridge.
Overlooking the North Outer Moat
The other part of the castle complex
The best thing visiting tourist spots is the accessibility and availability of the comfort rooms without fee at all with a very clean facility, but I do not see any cleaning staff.
The Osaka Museum of History
At 11:51 A.M., we had crossed the street heading to the Osaka Museum of History where it has an entrance fee of 600 yen or P245.55 or US$3.69. It is a 13-storey building with two basement levels, and features 4 main exhibition floors (specifically levels 7, 8, 9, and 10) dedicated to showcasing the city's 1,400-year history. Visitors typically take an elevator directly to the 10th floor and work their way down, viewing full-scale replicas, historical dioramas, and excavation sites. The upper-level windows also offer a stunning elevated view of nearby Osaka Castle.
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