I was a bit tired on the first night, and actually just wanted to cross the river to have a look at the castle, in preparation for the visit tomorrow. But then, right on the river bank, I saw a few stands, and people, and then more stands, and many many more people…

Another Hanami night, at the Osaka Mint! They are famous for their cherry trees, over three hundred, mostly late blooming varieties, that form the so-called cherry blossom viewing tunnel.

Well organized (only one-way!) and under strict police control (“Do not touch the cherries! Smoking, eating, drinking, loitering and theft are prohibited! Thank you for your cooperation!” – announced even in English!) thousands are being pushed through the cherry blossom tunnel at night. It is a really spectacular sight.

Then, everybody heads to the river bank for the real reason: food.

And there is plenty. Hundreds of stands. I mostly concentrated on the food, but there was more, from shooting your favorite stuffed animal or manga character to fishing for your favorite (alive) goldfish, turtle, or tadpole.

If you come to Japan during the cherry blossom, you could think all they can do is eat, drink, and smile. Sometimes I really wished they did their specialty in a vegetarian version, it all looked so good.

A few of them actually did – I didn’t leave hungry.