10 Best Parks in Osaka

Osaka Castle Park opened in 1924 and took on its current name when the castle tower was rebuilt in 1931. Completely renovated in 1997, the castle tower still shines brightly in the center of Osaka. Inside the castle is a history museum where you can learn the history of Osaka Castle since its construction by Hideyoshi Toyotomi as a base for unifying the country.

Known as a famous place for cherry blossoms, the Somei-Yoshino at Nishi no Maru Garden and double-flowered cherry blossoms at the Tamatsukuri-guchi entrance attract huge numbers of visitors every spring. Osaka Castle Hall is also famous as a venue for concerts and other events.

Tennoji Park has been a hugely popular spot with the locals since it opened in 1909. Keitakuen Garden, donated by the historically important Sumitomo family, is a beautiful pond garden with a floating island in the middle. Flowers such as cherry blossoms, irises, hydrangeas, azaleas, and water lillies add color and produce a quintessentially Japanese atmosphere.

Other highlights include Tennoji Zoo and Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, with its large collection of Chinese and Japanese Buddhist artwork. Also popular is the Tenshiba facility, where you’ll find restaurants and coffee shops.

The vast grounds of Nagai Park, which used to be a racetrack, have many sports facilities, from stadiums and playgrounds to bathing pools. Nagai Botanical Garden has cherry blossom trees, seasonal flower beds, a rose garden, a hydrangea garden, a tree peony garden, and other special gardens, and the area around the pond is lush with flowers throughout the year.

You can also find woods, open spaces, and plenty of playgrounds for the little ones to run around and use some energy. The park is also home to Osaka’s Natural History Museum where exhibitions provide in-depth learning experiences about nature and creatures.

With its long riverside promenade, Kema Sakuranomiya Park is full of nature and ideal for a pleasant stroll. Many locals enjoy walking or jogging along the 42-kilometre stretch of the fertile Okawa River from Kema Overflow Weir to Tenmabashi Bridge.

This area is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing site, with about 4,500 cherry trees in full bloom attracting hordes of visitors. The old Mint building is situated on the right bank, adding some nostalgic charm to the scenery.

Utsubo Park is an urban oasis that offers lush greenery in an otherwise gray business district. An American military airfield used to be situated here. Today, the streets are lines with Zelkova trees and trendy cafés.

The rose garden reopened in 2004 is world-renowned for its beauty, while the illuminations add an extra level to its allure. In summertime the park also serves as a water playground for families with little ones.

Tsurumiryokuchi Expo '90 Commemorative Park, located on the site of the International Garden and Greenery Exposition, is rich in nature. Even today, some parts of the gardens exhibited by various countries at the Expo remain, so it’s quite a nostalgia trip. The popular Japanese garden recreates scenic spots from the Kansai area in miniature.

Built before the Expo according to the design standards of the Netherlands, the photogenic windmill surrounded by flower beds is the standout landmark of the park. Featuring one of the biggest greenhouses in Japan, various sports and cultural facilities, a natural hot spring, restaurants, and barbecue facilities, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular places to visit in Osaka.

Minoo Park is part of the Meiji no Mori Mino Quasi-National Park and is known for its impressive waterfall, which has a 33-metre drop. The Takimichi path leads to the waterfall and is an excellent hiking route full of beautiful leaves, babbling brooks and singing birds.

The Insect Museum (Konchukan) renovated in 2017 is one of the highlights of the park. Of course there are plenty of insects to observe in the park itself, but you can learn more about them at this museum.

Nakanoshima Park is one of the largest and oldest municipal parks, sandwiched between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers. Why not enjoy a pleasant stroll on the Nakanoshima Ryokudo, a 400-metre-long promenade, where a pleasant breeze blows from the river? Zelkova trees and flowers like azalea and camellia set the scene.

The recently reopened rose garden has more than 3,700 roses, making it one of the most Instagrammable spots in the park. Visit in May or October to see the roses in full bloom.

Oizumi Ryokuchi Park features impressive open spaces with beautiful green lawns. It spreads over 4.4 hectares and can even serve as a wide area evacuation site in the event of a disaster. Surrounded by large trees, it's perfect for a relaxing picnic in the shade.

Springtime highlights include a space where Yoshino cherry trees come into full bloom, a garden of Japanese irises, and colorful flower beds. There's also a BMX competition track here.

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is built on the site of the World Expo, with the Tower of the Sun designed by Taro Okamoto as its landmark. Fountain monuments designed by Isamu Noguchi are still well preserved at the Rose Garden for Peace. Look around and you'll find plenty of other objects and sculptures that also convey the mood of 1970.

This park is also a renowned cherry blossom site in springtime. And with seasonal flowers planted throughout, it's perfect for a walk at any time of the year. There's also a barbecue area at the popular glamping site.