Osaka is a bustling modern metropolis with a gorgeous skyline and miles upon miles of bustling urban sprawl. This makes Osaka an amazing place to explore, especially if you’re interested in culture and nightlife. If you’re more geared towards the outdoors or relaxing, it’s important to find a place for a stroll or picnic.
Luckily, Osaka has plenty of green spaces to find your zen. Whether it’s the gardens surrounding Osaka Castle or the massive Sumiyoshi Park, you’ll have a number of gorgeous places to soak in the greenery.
If you’re exploring the city all day on foot, you won’t want to lug your bags around. Discover Bounce, a convenient luggage storage service in Osaka, to make your exploration of the city’s hidden parks and gardens hassle-free and enjoyable.
There are plenty of places in Osaka where you can appreciate the stunning cherry blossom trees, depending on when you visit. There are also spiritual elements to these places, with plenty of shrines and temples that give these spaces a spiritual component. Whether you’re looking for a moment of contemplation or a place to go on a jog, you’ll certainly enjoy spending time in Osaka’s many incredible gardens and public parks. You really just need to know where to look.
Nagai Botanical Garden
Osaka’s Nagai Botanical Garden (officially the Osaka Municipal Flower Garden) is one of the city’s most popular parks. Spanning over a whopping 60 acres, this expansive botanical garden is an obvious destination for spending time outdoors and appreciating the myriad plant varieties the garden houses.
Nagai Botanical Garden is famous for its vibrant flowers, tropical plants, bonsai trees, and especially rare plants from Japan and exotic origins from around the world. The garden is divided into themed sections with their own unique charms. The most popular is the picturesque Rose Garden, where thousands of roses bloom in a mosaic of colors. Fittingly, the Japanese Garden showcases traditional architecture, serene ponds, and plant species native to the Osaka region.
Nagai Botanical Garden also functions as an educational center, offering workshops, exhibitions, and guided tours that provide insights into the world of plants and horticulture. The workshops can teach visitors about plant cultivation, gardening techniques, and conservation efforts.
Osaka Castle Park
If you need another reason to visit Osaka Castle, the leafy oasis that surrounds this magnificent and historic landmark is one of the city’s best parks. Osaka Castle Park boasts beautiful cherry blossom trees, expansive lawns, and serene ponds. It’s the perfect place for post-castle tour picnics, leisurely strolls, and enjoying some peace and quiet away from Osaka’s hustle and bustle.
While it’s hardly the only park in Osaka to come alive during cherry blossom season, the grove of trees surrounding the castle makes for a striking image and even better photos! The castle’s observatory deck offers even better views of the foliage.
Nakanoshima Park
Nestled between the Dojima and Tosabori Rivers, the picturesque Nakanoshima Park is filled with impeccably-manicured gardens, walking paths, and shady groves for relaxing and picnicking. It’s a peaceful haven for relaxing, for the most part. Depending on which day you visit, Nakanoshima Park can be brimming with people celebrating one of the many events and festivals held on the park’s massive lawn.
You won’t want to skip the rose garden, which features over 4,000 vibrant roses. You can also take a leisurely boat ride along the surrounding rivers to admire the park’s beauty from the water.
Utsubo Park
Utsubo Park is a spacious park known for its massive grassy lawns and colorful flower beds. It’s a popular spot for locals to relax and spend time outside. The park’s central fountain square is lovely, and it hosts a few events throughout the year, like markets and outdoor concerts.
There aren’t many attractions or landmarks located within the park, but the grassy lawns are perfect for a pick-up game of soccer, tossing the frisbee around, or letting the kids run wild. The tree-lined pathways are also perfect for cycling and running, making Utsubo Park the perfect place to get a workout in during your trip to Osaka.
Sumiyoshi Park
Adjacent to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Sumiyoshi Park is a tranquil little green space filled with traditional Japanese gardens. The park is a testament to traditional Japanese aesthetics, as it showcases meticulously-kept greenery, stone lanterns, and ponds teeming with koi fish. Of course, the cherry blossoms light up this park every spring. Curious travelers can take part in traditional tea ceremonies held in the park as well.
Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
Built on the site of the 1970 World Exposition, the aptly-named Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is a vast greenspace located outside the city center that offers a diverse range of attractions and monuments, most notably the imposing Tower of the Sun.
The park boasts acres of beautiful gardens, expansive lawns, and even remnants of the expo’s original structures. This place is massive, so renting a bike is the best way to cover enough ground to see the whole park. The Japanese Garden is tucked away in a corner, and its serene ponds and tea houses provide a quiet place for relaxing in the shade. For even more relaxation, there’s a public bathhouse with hot springs and spa services on the western edge of the park.
Tennoji Park
Located near Tennoji Station, Tennoji Park is a large green space that houses a few attractions like the Tennoji Zoo, Tennoji Art Museum, and the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower. These are all worthwhile activities, but if you’re just looking to spend some time outside, Tennoji Park has a large pond, a few flower gardens, and open spaces for walking, running, and cycling. If you want a full view of the park and surrounding cityscape, climb to the top of Tsutenkaku Tower for an incredible vantage point.
Until next time, my wonder friends!