Spring has come! Walk through flowers and history in Sakai, Osaka

Springtime brings colorful flowers to the Sakai area in Osaka, Japan. Rhododendrons in Asakayama, wisteria in Ohama Park, and a flower festival in a famous shrine – Spring in Sakai is the perfect blend of nature and culture. Take a walk through the city and enjoy the changing of the seasons. Let’s go on a whimsical trip through Sakai in spring.

A sea of vibrant colors at the Tsutsuji Matsuri Festival in Asakayama

From the end of April to the beginning of May, the Asakayama Tsutsuji Matsuri Festival is held at the Asakayama Purification Plant. “Tsutsuji” is the Japanese word for rhododendrons. This festival signifies spring in the area where around 2,500 rhododendrons bloom and the riverside is colored with red, pink, and white. The tunnel of rhododendrons along the river is especially beautiful. Walk among the flowers swaying in the wind, and feel the beauty of nature on your skin. At night, there are light-up events, so you can see a more mystical side of the rhododendrons. You won’t be able to help yourself from stopping to stare at the stunning night view.

Event period/hours	End of April – Beginning of May Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address	Higashi-Asakayama-cho, Kita-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka Prefecture
Access	・Kanku Izumiotsu Washington Hotel: 30-min. car ride from the hotel. Or get on a shuttle from the hotel to Izumiotsu Station and ride the Nankai Line to Shin-Imamiya Station. Transfer to the JR Line and get off at Asaka Station. ・Kansai Airport Washington Hotel: 35-min. car ride. Or from Rinku Town Station, ride the JR Hanwa Line to Asaka Station.
URL	https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/foreign-language/english/visitors/index.html

Appreciate the wisteria at Ohama Park

The wisteria at Ohama Park are in peak bloom starting the middle of April. The wisteria flowers dangle down, glowing in the spring sun, and sway in the wind. It looks like a painting come to life. At the park, you can enjoy a nice walk while enveloped in the comforting scent of the flowers. Ohama Park is one of the oldest parks in Sakai, Osaka, and it is known for its abundance of nature. Not only are there wisteria flowers, there are pine trees and grassy areas, so it’s a great place for a picnic. Come and enjoy the warm spring sun and scent of wisteria flowers.

Viewing season	Mid-April
Address	4 Ohama-kita-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai-cho, Osaka Prefecture
Access	・Kanku Izumiotsu Washington Hotel: 30-min. car ride from the hotel. Or get on a shuttle from the hotel to Izumiotsu Station and ride the Nankai Line to Sakai Station.
URL	https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/foreign-language/english/visitors/index.html

History and tradition live through the Hanatsumi Festival

The Hanatsumi Festival is held at Otori Taisha Shrine on the third Saturday of April. “Hanatsumi” means “flower picking” in Japanese. In this festival, offerings of flowers are placed in front of the shrine at the start of spring to pray for bountiful harvests and health. Otori Taisha Shrine is a popular shrine for its cute stamps and protective charms. Every year, a limited edition stamp is available at the festival. This stamp has a beautiful design based on the festival and often has pink details and cherry blossoms. We recommend getting this special stamp to commemorate your visit here in spring.

Event date	April 19th, 2025 (3rd Saturday of April)
Address	1-1-2 Otorikita-machi, Nishi-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka Prefecture
Access	・Kanku Izumiotsu Washington Hotel: 20-min. car ride from the hotel. Or get on a shuttle from the hotel to Izumiotsu Station and ride the Nankai Line for Tengachaya Station. Get off at Otori Station. ・Kansai Airport Washington Hotel: 25-min. car ride. Or from Rinku Town Station, ride the JR Hanwa Line to Otori Station.
URL	https://www.ootoritaisha.jp/