Planning an April trip to Osaka? Then cherry blossoms are probably on your list, and there is one very special viewing spot worth booking ahead: the Osaka Mint Bureau (造幣局) and its Cherry Blossom Viewing (桜の通り抜け, Sakura no Toorinuke), which opens to the public for just seven days during blossom season. Here's how I reserved my spot.
Why I'm Booking So Early
I'm in the middle of preparing for our Osaka trip. I've already booked a hotel for our three-day stay (Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA) and paid for Universal Studios tickets. Since we'll be in Osaka in early April, cherry blossoms are a must, and this seven-day event is the one I didn't want to miss.
How to Reserve "Sakura no Toorinuke" in Advance
An advance reservation is required to join the walk. You can make one through the Japan Mint website (https://www.mint.go.jp/) by clicking the advance-reservation link.
Timing: Reservations open 3 weeks before the event day, and the reservation notice appears on the Mint website 4 weeks before the event day.
Step 1, Register Your Email: Enter your email address and name under the event participation info, and a reservation URL will be sent to the address you registered.
Register your email under the event participation info and a reservation URL is sent to that address
A Heads-Up: On reservation day I opened the Mint website at 9 a.m., and for more than 30 minutes it was nearly impossible to get in. Keep trying and you'll get through, so there's no need to panic.
Step 2, Pick a Date and Time: Click the reservation-only URL from the email and you'll see the dates available during the event. Choose a date, and 30-minute entry slots appear along with the number of spots left. Select your time slot and the number of guests, then press the apply button at the bottom. Each reservation covers up to 5 people, including the person who applies.
Step 3, Save Your QR Code: When your application is complete, a QR code needed for entry is displayed and also sent to your email. I'd recommend taking a screenshot the day before your visit and sharing it with everyone you're traveling with.
Why It's Called "Toorinuke" (Passing Through)
The name comes from the fact that the path through the Mint's grounds is one-way, so visitors literally pass through a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
Essential Visitor Info
- 📍 Location: Osaka Mint Bureau (main office), Osaka
- 🌸 Event: Cherry Blossom Viewing (Sakura no Toorinuke), open only 7 days during blossom season
- 📅 Reservations: Open 3 weeks before the event day; announced on the Mint website 4 weeks before
- 👥 Group size: Up to 5 people per reservation, including the applicant
- 🎟️ Entry: QR code (shown after booking and emailed to you)
- 🈂️ Language: The booking site is in Japanese. I booked using Google Chrome's translate feature
- 🌐 Website: https://www.mint.go.jp/
Final Verdict
The booking page can be intimidating in Japanese, but with Chrome's translate feature I finished the whole reservation without trouble. If you're planning a trip to Osaka in early April, a walk through the Mint's one-way cherry blossom tunnel is a wonderful way to see the blossoms.
Are you planning an Osaka trip in cherry blossom season? Tell me where you're headed in the comments!
