According to USNews, Osaka, the "port city is worth a visit for its food alone." In Osaka, there are historical ruins, a bustling area with a modern city, and nature surrounded by mountains in three directions. Therefore, many flower viewing spots represent the Kansai region. The annual cherry blossom season in Osaka is from late March to early April.
To meet cherry blossoms in spring or fall foliage, we'll take you to one of the most famous viewing ports in Osaka: The Osaka Castle. We can’t miss the famous “Dotonbori”. This is the busiest food street in Osaka, with delicious restaurants to choose from. Nearby you can go to Shinsaibashi, which is a whole shopping street.
From Port of Osaka, we also can take you to Kyoto for a day tour.
Our Japan shore excursions are designed by Western destination experts who live in Japan along with local Japanese tour specialists to showcase all the best attractions in Japan and provide a unique understanding of Japan from a Western perspective. In particular, we know where to find cherry blossoms and autumn leaves in Osaka that most cruise lines do not emphasize in their shore excursion programs.
Take a private tour of Osaka's cherry blossom attractions with an English-speaking guide. Unlike your cruise line's shore excursions, you'll be able to experience the cherry blossoms at Osaka Castle, Namba Shrine, and Expo '70 Park on this tour. You won't enjoy the most beautiful fall foliage with your regular shore excursions sold by your cruise line.
Cruise passengers: You may get this excursion for FREE if you book the cruise through us or transferring your existing reservation to us (meaning we are your travel agent who booked the cruise for you with nothing changed). Please contact us to learn how.
Below is a sample schedule. We'll customize it to fit your ship's docking hours.
09:00
Depart for Osaka Port for Osaka Castle. We'll pick you up from cruise terminal with a sign of your name.
11:00
Head to Namba Yasaka Shrine, the second famous place to check out the beautiful cherry blossoms.
12:00
Dotonbori - eating and shopping. This is the best place for lunch.
16:00
Head back to Osaka Port.
Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks. It played a crucial role in the unification of Japan in the sixteenth century during the Momoyama-Azuchi period. The Nishinomaru Garden in Osaka Castle, surrounded by important cultural properties, has a total of 300 cherry trees, mainly the Someiyoshino cherry trees. The stone wall made of stone engraved with the motifs of daimyo from various places at that time, and the five defensive turrets, including the Senkan turret that protected the castle, can only be seen in Osaka Castle Park, the contrast between the thickness of the stone wall and the gorgeous and light weight of the cherry blossoms.
Visit Namba Yasaka Shrine, famous for its giant lion stage, mainly prays for studies, careers, and sucking away bad luck. In addition, the shrine also prays for feelings and health. Here, when the wind blows, you can also see cherry blossoms falling on the head like snow, which is the so-called cherry blossoms.
The name “Dotonbori” generally refers both to the Dotonbori Canal and to Dotonbori Street which runs parallel to the canal’s southern bank. It is one of the most colorful areas in Osaka and an absolute must-visit location when traveling through Kansai region. Osaka’s obsession with food is often summed up with the expression “kuidaore” which is often interpreted to mean “eat till you drop” but actually means to spend so much on food that you fall into financial ruin! Dotonbori is said to be the best place in Osaka to experience this kuidaore style extreme love of food!
Osaka Port
11-8, 3-Chome, Chikko, Minato-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 552-0021
We highly recommend that you book our shore excursions now if you will be taking a cruise in 2024. 2023 has already seen large crowds, and 2024 will see even more. We expect many tourists will be unable to book their shore excursions in 2024, so please make your plan as soon as possible.
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