Sakura no Toorinuke – The Cherry Blossom Passage at Japan Mint in 2022: Video Introduction

This video, titled "Cherry Blossom Passage at the Japan Mint Bureau in 2022 (Filmed in April, 2022)"｜(【おうちで通り抜け】令和4年造幣局「桜の通り抜け」(2022年4月撮影)), was uploaded by "Japan Mint."

In April 2022, the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka "Sakura no Toorinuke," an annual cherry blossom viewing event, for the first time in 3 years. This video was created so that those who could not come to the event could still enjoy the cherry blossoms. Enjoy this video showing the lovely cherry blossoms at the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka!

A Brief Introduction to Osaka, Japan

Osaka, located in central Japan, is known for its delicious street food and exciting nightlife culture, as well as famous tourist attractions like Dotonbori, Shinsekai, and Universal Studios Japan. Being located 2.5 hours south of Tokyo via bullet train, the weather is also generally a bit warmer than Tokyo's.
Many people often ask whether Tokyo or Osaka is better to visit, but it really depends on what you're looking for. Osaka is considered to have nicer people and fun nightlife activities, such as clubbing and bar hopping, and while Tokyo still has this, the culture is not as rich. Tokyo tends to be on the sharper side of things and offers a wide range of tourist attractions due to its sheer size.

How the Japan Mint Bureau Become a Famous Cherry Blossom Spot in Osaka

Photo：Japan Mint Bureau, Osaka

Sakura no Toorinuke, a passage of cherry blossoms at the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka, is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot that attracts many visitors every year. In April 2019, more than 580,000 people visited the event in one week!

The area where the Japan Mint Bureau is now located has long been known as a scenic spot for cherry blossoms in Osaka. During the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D.), cherry trees were collected and grown at the storehouse mansion of the Todo Clan, a samurai clan that ruled under the Tokugawa Shogunate. In the Meiji Period (1868-1912), those cherry trees were transplanted at the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka.

In 1883, the cherry blossoms, which could only be viewed by employees of the Japan Mint Bureau, were opened to the public for a few days during peak bloom at the behest of the then Mint Bureau Director. The event came to be known as Sakura no Toorinuke (桜の通り抜け, lit 'Cherry Blossom Passage').

The cherry blossom viewing area is limited to one week in mid-April, and visitors can view the cherry blossoms on a 560-meter-long one-way path along the riverside from the South Gate to the North Gate on the Japan Mint Bureau's premises. Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) along the Japan Mint Bureau's "Cherry Blossom Passage" has become a springtime tradition in Osaka.

Japan Mint Bureau Cherry Blossoms in 2023. Illumination Events and Other Cherry Blossom Information

Photo：Cherry blossoms at the Japan Mint Bureau, Osaka

As of April 2022, the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka has 335 cherry trees of 138 varieties. Most of them are satozakura (East Asian Cherries) cultivated for ornamental purposes, and are most beautiful later into the cherry blossom season.

Among the 138 varieties, there are rare varieties such as Benitemari, Otemari, and Kotemari, whose flowers bloom in dense clusters like temari (a traditional Japanese toy), and Yoroizakura, which have white flowers. New varieties are added every year as well.
[Video] 1:19 - Gyosho, a New Variety Added in 2022
[Video] 2:15 - Iyokiku, a New Variety Added in 2022

Every year, the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka picks one species of flower and crowns it the "Flower of the Year." Be sure to keep an eye out for it when you visit!
[Video] 0:21 - Fukurokuju (福禄寿), the 2022 Flower of the Year

Every year, the cherry blossom passage at the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka is lit up at sunset with paper lanterns and gas lamps giving it a relaxing atmosphere. Information for the 2023 illumination event has yet to be announced, so be sure to check the Japan Mint Bureau official website before visiting.
[Video] 2:51 - The Cherry Blossom Light Up

The Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms at the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka 2023 + How to Apply

Photo：Sakura no Toorinuke, Japan Mint Bureau, Osaka

The best time to view the cherry blossoms at the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka is from early to mid-April. The Sakura no Toorinuke cherry blossom passage is held for one week only during this period when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The blooming of the cherry blossoms is predicted based on past blooms, as well as weather and temperature. The date and time of the event is announced around mid-March each year based on the cherry blossom forecast.

Just like the 2022 event, the 2023 event will likely require advance reservations (first-come, first-served). To apply in advance, you will need to sign up online by following the procedures on the dedicated Sakura no Toorinuke application page on their website. Details will be announced on the Japan Mint Bureau's official website around mid-March, so please be sure to check it out!

Pick Up a Coin Set or Medal to Commemorate Your Trip to the Japan Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Passage

Coin sets and souvenir medals produced by the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka are also available for purchase.

The coin set consists of six unused coins, ranging from 1 yen to 500 yen, manufactured in the same year, and a nameplate with the year of manufacture. Proof coinage sets, in which the coins' surfaces are finished with a special technique to create a mirror-like finish, are also available.

The 2022 proof coinage set's nameplate and the commemorative medals (gold, silver, and bronze) for the cherry blossom passage feature the Fukurokuju (the flower of the year). On the front of the coin set's nameplate are the words "桜の通り抜け" (Sakura no Toorinuke) and an illustration of cherry blossoms, and on the back are the year of manufacture and the Chinese zodiac sign for the tiger. The cover case was designed with the "flower of the year" Fukurokuju.

We're looking forward to seeing what the design will be for 2023! An official announcement on how to purchase will be made in March.

Tourist Attractions Near the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka

In addition to being a great spot for viewing cherry blossoms, the Japan Mint Bureau is also very conveniently located. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is a 10-minute walk from the Japan Mint Bureau, and Osaka Castle can be reached in under 30 minutes by foot or by bus.
Located just down the road from the Mint Bureau is the Mint Museum, where visitors can learn about the production of Japanese coinage, which is also free of charge.
If you're looking for things to do in Osaka in spring, definitely consider adding the Japan Mint Bureau to your itinerary.

Spring in Japan

Spring in Japan means cherry blossoms, and in Japan, the cherry blossoms are appreciated with "Hanami," the Japanese word for "cherry blossom viewing." Whether it be cherry blossom parties with friends or simply enjoying them on their own, spring in Japan almost completely revolves around the cherry blossoms and their bloom season.
It's not uncommon to see people enjoying picnics outside at parks with cherry blossoms and there are often festivals and other events held to celebrate their arrival each spring as well. If you're in Japan during spring, be sure to participate in these events for yourself and experience a significant part of Japanese culture!

Summary of Cherry Blossoms at Osaka Mint Bureau

Photo：Sakura no Toorinuke, Japan Mint Bureau, Osaka

The Cherry Blossom Passage at the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka is a springtime tradition in Osaka that is looked forward to by many people, including both local residents and tourists.

Every year, new varieties of cherry blossoms are introduced and the design of the souvenir coin set is updated, making the cherry blossom passage an exciting event. The voluminous double-flowered cherry blossoms are great for taking Instagram photos as well!

Check out all of the amazing cherry blossoms at the Japan Mint Bureau in Osaka!

[Official Website] Japan Mint Sakura no Toorinuke, Osaka

[TripAdvisor] Japan Mint Sakura no Toorinuke, Osaka