20 Parks in Osaka worth your time

Nakanoshima Park is Osaka's oldest public park, an island oasis worth visiting for its green spaces and history.

What it is

• Oldest public park in Osaka, founded in 1899.
• Island oasis of green between flowing rivers.
• Covers over 10 hectares on the eastern half of the island.

What to see

• Rose Garden with 3,700 rose bushes of 310 varieties.
• Around 100 cherry trees, illuminated at night when in bloom.
• Picturesque canal with an arched bridge in the Rose Garden.
• Stone lions at the corners of Naniwa-bashi Bridge.
• Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library (1904) and Osaka City Central Public Hall (1918).
• Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Children's Library, and Green Apple sculpture.

When to go

• Mid- to late May for the first rose bloom.
• October for the second rose bloom.
• July 25 for the Tenjin Festival river procession.
• Evenings to see illuminated cherry trees.

Getting there

• Eastern tip of the island, just beyond Tenjin-bashi Bridge.

Official site

www.osakapark.osgf.or.jp

Read more about Nakanoshima Park

A 15,000 square meter park in Sakai commemorating the 400th anniversary of Saint Francisco Xavier's arrival in Japan.

What it is

• A public park officially named Ebisu Park covering approximately 15,000 square meters.
• Opened in 1949 on the former site of the Hibiya Ryoke residence.
• Commemorates the 400th anniversary of Francisco Xavier's arrival in the city.
• Features several monuments dedicated to local history and international relations.

What to see

• A monument dedicated to Saint Francisco Xavier stands within the grounds.
• The East Meets West sculpture created by artist Jorge Vieira.
• A sculpture donated by the Portugal Pavilion in 1970.
• The Sakai Matchlock Gun Monument established in the year 2000.
• A poetry monument dedicated to the writer Fuyue Anzai.

Getting there

• Located a one minute walk from Hanadaguchi Station.
• Accessible via the Nankai Bus Matsuya Line.

Official site

www.city.sakai.lg.jp

Read more about Xavier Park

A massive 122-hectare commemorative park in Osaka featuring international gardens, a botanical conservatory, and a landmark windmill.

What it is

• A large public park spanning Osaka City and Moriguchi City.
• The former site of the 1990 International Garden and Greenery Exposition.
• Originally opened in 1972 based on a 1941 air defense greenbelt plan.
• A popular recreational space attracting over four million annual visitors.

What to see

• The Sakuya Konohana Kan botanical garden and conservatory.
• A landmark windmill overlooking fields of seasonal flowers.
• International gardens remaining from the 1990 world expo.
• Tsurumi Shinzan, a thirty-nine meter mountain built from waste and soil.
• The highest geographic point located within Osaka City.

Getting there

• Located immediately next to the Tsurumi-ryokuchi Station on the subway.

Official site

www.tsurumi-ryokuchi.jp

Read more about Tsurumiryokuchi Expo '90 Commemorative Park

Urban park in Osaka, preserving a historic farm and Yayoi period heritage.

What it is

• Urban park in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Located within the National Historic Site 'Ama Site'.
• Developed by Takatsuki City and Urban Renaissance Agency.
• Opened in phases in March 2019 and March 2021.

What to see

• Former Kyoto University farm main building from 1920.
• Main building is an Osaka Modernization Heritage site.
• Areas mimicking Yayoi period settlements.
• Areas mimicking Yayoi period rice paddies.
• Areas mimicking Yayoi period tombs.
• Park center and restaurants.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Takatsuki-shi Station.
• 13-minute walk from JR Kyoto Line Takatsuki Station.

Read more about Ama site park

Shimo-fukushima Park is an Osaka urban park with historical remnants and a restored garden.

What it is

• An urban park in Osaka, Japan.
• Built on a former factory site.
• Largest park in Fukushima Ward.

What to see

• Part of a 1894 red brick wall on the east side.
• Wall survived 1945 air raids and 1909 fire.
• Noda Fuji, the ward's flower, is cultivated.
• Restored Fujian Garden, visited by Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
• Two baseball fields at the sports ground.
• A 480-meter jogging course.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Nakanoshima Station.
• 10-minute walk from Shin-Fukushima Station.
• 10-minute walk from Fukushima Station.

Read more about Shimo-fukushima Park

A large rose garden in Osaka with diverse varieties, created for the 1970 World Expo.

What it is

• A garden in Expo Commemoration Park, Suita City, Osaka.
• Created for the 1970 Japan World Exposition.
• Renovated and expanded on April 1, 2019.
• Located in the park's cultural zone.

What to see

• Approximately 140 varieties and 5600 roses.
• Roses donated from 9 countries.
• Maple trees donated by the Canadian government.
• A new 'Japanese Rose Garden' area.
• Isamu Noguchi's 'World of the Moon' monument.
• The monument is a 4-meter diameter sphere.

When to go

• Rose Festa event from May to early June.

Official site

www.expo70-park.jp

Read more about Rose Garden

Explore a vast park built on the 1970 World Expo site, featuring art and the iconic Tower of the Sun.

What it is

• A natural and general park in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Built on the former site of the 1970 Japan World Exposition.
• Managed and operated by Osaka Prefecture.

What to see

• The Tower of the Sun, created by Taro Okamoto.
• Forest of Contemporary Art displays 14 art pieces.
• Festival Plaza, former event venue of the World Exposition.
• Yume-no-ike (Dream Pond) with a fountain tower.
• Fountain tower designed by Isamu Noguchi.

When to go

• Closed every Wednesday.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Official site

www.expo70-park.jp

Read more about Natural and Cultural Gardens

Aquapia Akutagawa is a free natural history museum with diverse exhibits and rooftop views.

What it is

• Natural history museum, officially Takatsuki City Natural History Museum.
• Exhibits freshwater fish, birds, mammals, insects, and plants.
• Managed by the Aquapia Akutagawa Joint Activity Group.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• Three large diorama tanks and about 30 small tanks.
• Many carp in an artificial rooftop pond.
• Rooftop views of Shiroyama and Settsukyo.
• Multi-purpose hall and various exhibition spaces.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during year-end and New Year holidays.

Official site

www.city.takatsuki.osaka.jp

Read more about Aquapia Akutagawa

Historic site commemorating a poignant samurai farewell, now a tranquil park with monuments.

What it is

• Historic site in Shimamoto-cho, Osaka Prefecture.
• Legendary site of the 'Sakurai no Wakare' episode.
• Designated a national historic site on March 3, 1921.
• Maintained as the Sakurai-no-eki Historic Site Park.

What to see

• Monument by Nogi Maresuke, erected in 1913.
• Monument with a poem by Emperor Meiji, erected in 1931.
• Monument by Harry Parkes, erected in 1876.
• Faces the Saigoku Kaido road from Kyoto to Nishinomiya.

Getting there

• Shimamoto Station opened nearby in 2008.

Read more about Sakurai-no-eki

Daisen Park offers a peaceful escape with historical burial mounds and a beautiful Japanese Garden.

What it is

• An urban park in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Planned area of approximately 81 hectares.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks in 1989.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks in 2014.

What to see

• Located between Daisenryo Kofun and Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun.
• Contains small kofun burial mounds.
• Sakai City Museum and Sakai City Central Library are on site.
• Two tea houses: Shin-an and Oubai-an.
• The 60-meter-high Peace Tower.
• Japanese Garden designed by Kinsaku Nakane.

Official site

www.city.sakai.lg.jp

Read more about Daisen Park

Osaka Castle Park offers historic castle views and beautiful seasonal blossoms, a worthwhile hour for any visitor.

What it is

• An urban park in Osaka, Japan.
• Located on the Osaka Castle Special Historic Site.
• Established in 1931, originated as Otemae Park in 1924.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

What to see

• Osaka Castle tower, an observation deck and museum.
• Osaka-jo Hall and Osaka-jo Ongakudo are within the park.
• Toyokuni Shrine, relocated here in 1961.
• Plum, peach, and cherry blossoms.

When to go

• Spring for plum, peach, and cherry blossoms.

Official site

osakacastlepark.jp

Read more about Osaka Castle Park

Hirakata Park is Japan's oldest amusement park, offering rides, a rose garden, and seasonal illuminations.

What it is

• An amusement park in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture.
• Japan's oldest amusement park operating without demolition.
• Opened in 1910 as Kori Amusement Park.
• Operated by Keihan Leisure Service.

What to see

• Rose garden with 600 varieties and 4,000 bushes.
• Illumination event called Hikari no Yuenchi.

When to go

• Illumination event held since 2014.

Getting there

• Located in front of Hirakata-koen Station.
• On the Keihan Main Line.

Official site

www.hirakatapark.co.jp

Read more about Hirakata Park

Takatsuki Castle Park offers history, recreation, and culture on the site of a former castle.

What it is

• An urban park in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Located on the site of Takatsuki Castle.
• Its name changed from Shiroato Park in 2021.

What to see

• Playground area with lawns and play equipment.
• Walking and relaxation zone with stone walls and a pond.
• Sports zone with a baseball field.
• History and folk museum.
• Relocated Edo period merchant house, a cultural property.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto Line Takatsuki Station.

Official site

www.city.takatsuki.osaka.jp

Read more about Takatsuki Castle Park

Ōgimachi Park is a large urban park in Osaka, great for families with children.

What it is

• An urban park in Osaka's Kita-ku.
• Opened in December 1923.
• Known as a playground for children.
• Covers approximately 7 hectares.

What to see

• Large play facilities, including a mountain slider.
• Monument of a starting platform from the former Osaka Pool.
• Ōgimachi Pool is located within the park.
• Yaegaki Daimyojin shrine on the south side.

Getting there

• 1-minute walk from Ōgimachi Station.
• 4-minute walk from Tenma Station.

Address

530-0025 大阪府大阪市北区扇町１丁目１−21 Map

Read more about Ōgimachi Park

This botanical garden in Osaka offers diverse plants, a unique greenhouse, and a relaxing escape.

What it is

• A botanical garden operated by Osaka Prefecture.
• It cultivates flowers and plants from many countries.

What to see

• A large greenhouse with a pyramid-shaped glass roof.
• Tropical plants and desert plants inside the greenhouse.
• A flower clock located outside the large greenhouse.
• A community garden designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara.
• A plum garden with about 300 plum trees.

When to go

• One day a month is designated as 'Cosplay Day'.

Address

〒586-0036　大阪府河内長野市高向2292-1 Map

Official site

gfc-osaka.com

Read more about Osaka Garden of Floral Culture

Agricultural park with flowers, animals, and crafts, offering a taste of rural Japan.

What it is

• An agricultural park in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Opened on April 14, 2000.
• Managed by Sakai Farm Co. and JA Sakai City.
• Preserves nature and allows urban residents to enjoy agriculture.

What to see

• Seasonal flower fields.
• Animals like capybaras and sheep.
• Craft beer and homemade sausages.
• Sylvanian Park, an outdoor theme park.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Izumigaoka Station.
• Accessible by car from Sakai IC.

Official site

farm.or.jp

Read more about Sakai Green Museum Harvest Hill

Kurodoriyama Park is a large park with cherry blossoms, a rose garden, and a dog run.

What it is

• A park in Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Opened in 1960.
• Covers 11.6 hectares.
• Has 2,600 trees of 59 types.

What to see

• Many cherry blossom trees.
• A rose garden.
• A dog run.
• A large lawn area.

When to go

• During cherry blossom season for viewing.
• Barbecues allowed only during cherry blossom festival.

Getting there

• Community bus from Izumi-Fuchu Station.
• Community bus from Izumi-Chuo Station.

Address

大阪府和泉市黒鳥町4-531-1 Map

Read more about Kurodoriyama Park

Sakuranomiya Park: a historic riverside park in Osaka, famous for cherry blossoms.

What it is

• An urban park in Osaka City.
• Located on both banks of the Okawa River.
• Part of the larger Kemasakuranomiya Park.
• Named after Sakuramiya Shrine.

What to see

• Fujita Tei-ato Park is within its grounds.
• Sakuranomiya Baseball Field is a facility.
• Osaka City University Rowing Club is a facility.

When to go

• A cherry blossom viewing spot since the Edo period.

Getting there

• Near Sakuranomiya JR Station.

Read more about Sakuranomiya Park

Riverside park in Osaka, famous for cherry blossoms and historical monuments.

What it is

• An urban park along the north bank of the Okawa River.
• Located in Kita Ward, Osaka City.
• Sits between Tenmabashi and Tenjinbashi.

What to see

• Three artificial grass tennis courts.
• Cherry tree-lined path shared with a bicycle path.
• Monument for the Tenma Aomono Market.
• Monument for the Shogi-jima Sodasuisei.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossom viewing.

Getting there

• Near Tenmabashi Station.

Read more about Minami-Temma Park

Rinku Park offers sea views, a marble beach, and airport plane spotting.

What it is

• A coastal park on reclaimed land.
• Faces Kansai International Airport.
• Spans Izumisano City and Tajiri Town.
• Managed by Osaka Prefectural Park Association.

What to see

• Views of planes taking off and landing.
• Shiki no Izumi, a circular fountain.
• Marble Beach, a 2.8 km white beach.
• Marble Beach has marble stones.

When to go

• Marble Beach hosts the Rinku Fireworks.
• Finish line for Senshu International City Marathon.

Official site

rinku.osaka-park.or.jp

Read more about Rinku Park