What to do in Osaka in March
Are you planning to go to Osaka and thinking about what is good to do in Osaka in March?
We know that there are many places to visit in Osaka. But there are other places that are good to visit depending on the season.
In this article, I would like to share the best things to do in Osaka this March. Many places to go and events that you can participate in and enjoy.
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
March in Osaka
March is one of the best months to visit Osaka. This is due to its perfect weather, being the beginning of spring and the end of the winter season. This is also the month when there are many cherry trees blooming early and there are many places or tourist spots that can be visited in Osaka for Sakura viewing.
Many events are held in different places in Osaka where you can enjoy the seasonal foods that are popular. Because of the nice weather, it is also good to go for a walk or sightseeing; there is an average temperature of 9°C around the Kansai region but sometimes it reaches 20°C during the daytime and there are days that are still cold even during daytime. Here are the 10 things to do in March 2024 in Osaka.
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1. Osaka Castle Park, Plum Grove
Osaka Castle (大阪城) is not only famous for its cherry blossoms but also known for having the best spots to view the plum blossom in the Kansai Region.
There are 1,235 plum trees with different types in 104 varieties that you can see every year from January to March; from its early bloom up to its late bloom.
Official Website: https://www.osakacastlepark.jp/flower/plum_grove2024.html
Access | 11 minutes walk from Osakajokoen Station. |
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2. Watch the Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament
Sumo (相撲) was originated in Japan; it’s a Japanese style of wrestling and considered Japan’s National Sport. Japan is the only country where it is practiced professionally and even at the present time, the Sumo sport has ritual elements included such as the use of salt purification from Shinto.
This March, there will be a Grand Sumo Tournament held in Osaka Edion Arena ( Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium) from March 10 to 24, 2024.
Official Website: https://www.sumo.or.jp/En/
Access | 3 minutes walk from Namba Station. |
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For more information about Sumo wrestling, check out the following articles!
▶︎Sumo Wrestling: Things to Know
3. Osaka Asian Film Festival 2024
The Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) is an annual event held in Osaka focusing on showcasing the richness and diversity of Asian cinema. It aims to promote cultural exchange and understanding through the medium of film, featuring a wide range of movies from across the Asian continent.
The event will be held from the 1st to the 10th of March at the ABC Hall, Cine Libre Umeda, Umeda Burg 7, Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, and the National Museum of Art, Osaka
Official Website: https://oaff.jp/en/
4. Join the Universal Studio Japan Events
Universal Studio Japan in Osaka is one of the best theme parks in Japan. It gives world-class entertainment such as unique and authentic attractions and shows etc. All months of the year are great to go. They have events scheduled for the month of March as follows.
- Universal Cool Japan 2024
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba XR Ride
- Uni Spring 2024
Official Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us
<<Book Universal Studio Tickets Online HERE!!>>
Check out more about seasonal events at Universal Studios Japan in the following article!
▶︎Universal Studios Japan Ticket and Pass List
5. Visiting Yamazaki Whisky Museum
A place where you can taste and experience amazing Japanese whisky. If you are looking to gain a good knowledge of whisky, the Yamazaki Whisky Museum offers tours and free tastings. You can enjoy this extraordinary experience throughout the month of the year so you can also include it in your list that you can visit this March.
Official Website: https://www.suntory.co.jp/factory/yamazaki/
6. Visit Osaka Expo Park
Osaka Expo park (万博記念公園) has more than 260 hectares; it has various facilities such as the Japanese Garden and the Japan Folk Crafts Museum Osaka.
It is also a cultural park that protects the natural environment. You can relax at the park and enjoy sightseeing in the plum grove of the natural cultural gardens with over 600 plum trees of 120 varieties and the Japanese Garden with over 80 plum trees of 40 varieties. Admission is free from 9:30 – 17:00. The event period is from February 10 to March 10, 2024.
This is also where the Sakura Expo 2024 is scheduled to be held from March 20 to April 7, 2024. There are various cherry blossom-related activities to enjoy at this event such as cherry blossom light up and fireworks at night.
Check out the following article for more information about Osaka Expo Park.
▶︎Osaka Expo Park: One of Osaka’s Most Attractive Parks
7. Visit the Tsurumi Ryokuchi park
The Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park (花博記念公園 鶴見緑地) is a large park and flower garden with different types of facilities such as a pond, sporting facilities, and a tulips farm with its famous giant windmill. There is a lot to do in this park, there are also different events in each area of the park and one of the often-visited places here is the mountain area.
This site has 55 gardens exhibited from different countries during the international flower and greenery exposition. Here are their events for March.
- Horse Interaction Event (March 10, 2024)
- Recruitment of potato school participants! (Park Event / March 10, to June 23, 2024)
Official Website: https://www.tsurumi-ryokuchi.jp/
Access | 2 minutes walk from Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Station. |
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8. Cherry Blossoms
Spring season is the time for cherry blossom which is from early March to late April. It is one of the reasons many tourists visit Japan during this period. Osaka is one of the popular places in Japan with many hotspots to view cherry blossoms.
But there is a right time and best season to view cherry blossoms depending on the area. Cherry blossoms develop early in warmer areas and later in cold climates and the peak season or full bloom of the cherry blossom lasts only for about a week. Here are some places where you can view these cherry blossoms.
- Osaka Castle Park– one of the famous tourist destinations in Osaka and one of the best places for cherry blossom with almost 3,000 cherry trees.
- Osaka Mint Museum- The mint museum has a large coin collection and historical exhibits and even the design of the museum is according to the historical Meiji era. It is also known for its cherry trees which are visited during the spring season. The museum is open throughout the year. It is also good to visit in the month of March.
- Hirakata Park– An amusement park with almost 300 Yoshino cherry trees that bloom from late March to early April.
- Satsukiyama Park- One of the well-known cherry blossom viewing spots in the city. It is located in central Ikeda City with almost 35, 000 Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura cherry trees that bloom from late March to early April.
Check out the following article for more information about cherry blossom hotspots in Osaka.
▶︎10 Best Spots to View Cherry Blossoms in Osaka
9. Experience Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
There is a giant Ferris wheel at Tempozan Harbor Village (天保山ハーバービレッジ) which is a compound entertainment place facing Osaka Bay. It opened in 1997 and was called the world’s largest Ferris wheel at the time. It has a height of 112.5m and a diameter of 100m. Riding it, you can enjoy the view of the large city of Osaka; and uninterrupted views to the north, south, east, and west.
The night view of Universal Studios Japan, the colorful night view of the skyscrapers of the Umeda area, and also the night view of Kobe and the Akashi Kaikyo bridge. It is good to include it in your itinerary. If you want to visit this place in March, it is open from 10:00-22:00 depending on the season or you can check their website for more information.
Official Website: http://www.senyo.co.jp/tempozan/index.html
Access | 4 minutes walk from Osakako Station. |
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10. Visit Dotonbori
Osaka is home to numerous attractions, among which Dotonbori (道頓堀) stands out as a favorite among tourists. Often referred to as the “Japanese Broadway,” this vibrant district is renowned for its massive neon signboards and is a culinary hotspot, offering Osaka’s renowned delicacies.
The area comes alive at night, offering a plethora of activities. Visitors can enjoy the Tombori River Cruise, snap memorable photos by the iconic Glico sign, and indulge in shopping for unique souvenirs to take back for their loved ones.
For more information about the Dotonbori, check out the following articles!
▶Best Restaurants in Dotonbori
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Thank you for reading. I hope this article helps and provides the information you are looking for about the places to visit in Osaka in March. It is also the best season to see the cherry blossoms with some flowers blooming early in March.
Check out more things to do in March in other popular areas in Japan, too!
▶Top 10 Things to Do in Japan in March
▶Tokyo in March: Best Things to Do
▶Best Things to Do in Kyoto in March
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Written by
Greetings to all mommies I am a supermom from Philippines. Previously, I worked and lived in Dubai for seven years, until 2015 the year I moved in Japan. Currently, I am happily settled here with my Japanese husband and our 7 months old baby. I could only describe my almost 6 years of living here as a roller coaster ride more so, after I gave birth to my son. Japan had changed me in ways unimaginable. It has influence my lifestyle, my perceptions and beliefs. I was able to witness firsthand the pros and cons of living in the country. From their language, culture and ethnicity, the people, place and in work. Those years were enough to give me quite personal and memorable experiences which I would be more than delighted to share with you.