On March 3, cherry blossoms bloomed in Kobe, and now cherry blossoms bloom all over Kansai.
In Kyoto, it blooms in full bloom the earliest since statistics were collected.
This year's cherry blossom viewing is interesting, but it is showing a different appearance from last year.

Cherry blossom viewing at Osaka Castle Park for the first time in four years

Osaka's cherry blossoms bloomed on March 3.
Along with Ototoshi, it was the earliest flowering in the history of observation.
Osaka Castle Park, which has a standard tree that is used as a guideline for flowering, is a famous place for cherry blossoms.

On the site of about 19 hectares, about 105,3000 cherry trees such as Yoshino cherry trees are planted.

At Nishinomaru Garden in the park, the ban on cherry blossom viewing accompanied by eating and drinking with unfolded sheets has been lifted for the first time in four years, and it is crowded with cherry blossom viewers.

"It's so beautiful, it's not in full bloom yet, but I'm glad I came," she said,

"I enjoy coming with my grandchildren the most. It's been a long time since I was able to sit down and see the cherry blossoms, about 4~4 years ago." "Everyone has taken off their masks, so I think it's a little closer to their daily lives" The number of visitors is expected to increase further towards next week,

when the best time to see the cherry blossoms is to come.

The BBQ venue will also open on the 24th, and you can have a BBQ empty-handed if you make a reservation in advance until mid-May.

Haruki Minato, Osaka Castle Park Center:
"Someiyoshino will be in full bloom from now on, but the weeping sakura in Nishinomaru Garden is already in full bloom, and I think you can enjoy the cherry blossoms for a while."

The first illumination of the cherry blossoms in four years has begun and will be held until April 5th.

Bookings for water buses increased

I want to enjoy cherry blossom viewing from the river.
Reservations are increasing for water buses that go around famous cherry blossom spots in Osaka City.

In the special cherry blossom viewing course starting on the 25th, you can enjoy about 4800,<> cherry trees, including Yoshino cherry trees planted on both sides of the river.

The company that operates the water bus is busy making reservations, and the number of passengers during the cherry blossom viewing period until April 4 is expected to be more than double last year.

In addition, with the relaxation of restrictions on the movement of the new corona, the restriction on the number of seats, which was previously set at 5% to 8% of the usual level, has been lifted, and it seems that the wearing of masks by customers has been left to the discretion of individuals.

"It was nice to be able to see the cherry blossoms in person, without a mask" Osaka Water Bus Co., Ltd.

Planning and Publicity Department Toshinori
Kishida "We have about 1700,80 reservations, and we have been receiving calls from the morning almost every day, so we expect to return about <>% of the time compared to before Corona. I feel that if people can enjoy the cherry blossoms while sightseeing, the atmosphere of old sightseeing will return."

Not from a hotel room...

During the period when cherry blossom viewing was not possible due to the Corona disaster, there was a movement to enjoy cherry blossom viewing at home or in a private room.

The hotel next to Osaka Castle Park has also come up with plans that allow you to enjoy yourself in your hotel room.

However, this year, we are focusing on selling "hanami bento" to the general public with an awareness of cherry blossom viewing in parks.

Despite the high price range of 1,6000 yen per piece, reservations are made, and the number of reservations has increased by about 1.5 times compared to last year, when eating and drinking at home was expected.

Miku Hamakawa of Hotel New Otani Osaka
: "I think we can see a reaction like enjoying the new season that has finally been lifted.

The flowering status in various parts of Kansai is ...

Here, we have summarized the flowering dates of this year in 2 prefectures and 4 prefectures of Kansai.

Kyoto and Shiga bloomed 9 days earlier than normal, Osaka and Nara 8 days earlier, meaning that cherry blossoms bloomed earlier than normal in all prefectures.

This year's cherry blossoms earlier than usual.
The spectacle of a new season is returning in many places.