10 Best Autumn Fall Spots in Osaka! Places to Go for Fall Foliage
Osaka is Japan's second-largest city after Tokyo. 7% of Japan's population resides in Osaka. Furthermore, about 10% of foreigners living in Japan are concentrated in Osaka.
The city center of Osaka is a metropolis with many skyscrapers, including the "Abeno Harukas" (Japan's second-tallest building) and the Umeda Sky Building. There are many parks scattered throughout the city, such as "Osaka Castle Park," which serve as relaxation spots for citizens and tourists.
While Osaka is a bustling metropolis, there are also many temples and nature parks where you can enjoy the seasons in a calm atmosphere, away from the city center. Especially during the autumn fall season, when the scenery turns red and yellow, it's a recommended time for sightseeing as you can enjoy beautiful views.
Osaka has many scenic spots where you can see autumn leaves, but many of these spots are actually not well-known to tourists.
In this article, we'll introduce spots where you can enjoy the beautiful autumn fall foliage in both central and suburban Osaka.
Osaka Has Many Hidden Scenic Autumn Fall Spots
When people think of Osaka, they often think of food culture like takoyaki, comedy culture, and Universal Studios Japan. However, spots where you can feel nature are not very famous among tourists. In fact, Osaka has many spots where elegant nature spreads even in the city center.
As you move away from the center, you'll find mountains surrounded by rich nature. Spots where you can feel the four seasons are all beautiful. In fact, they are known as popular autumn fall foliage spots among locals.
Parks and shrines rich in nature have few tourists and time flows leisurely. Many places have unpaved mountain paths, so high heels and sandals are strictly prohibited. Be sure to wear sneakers when you go out.
10 Beautiful Autumn Fall Spots in Osaka You Must Visit in Autumn
Osaka Castle Park (Late November to Early December)
Source:WALKER PLUS
Osaka Castle Park is a nature-rich park spread in the middle of the big city. The plantings in the park change color with the seasons, allowing visitors to enjoy various changes depending on the time of visit.
The park is colored with autumn leaves from November to December. Especially famous is the view of Osaka Castle with the backdrop of a 300-year-old ginkgo tree turned golden, where you can feel the uniqueness of Japan's beauty.
The approximately 1km long ginkgo tree-lined path on the east side of the park is also a must-see. I also enjoy walking in the park during this season, imprinting the autumn leaves in my memory.
Osaka Castle Park is an easy place to enjoy nature in the center of Osaka, so please include it in your sightseeing plan if you want to feel nature or enjoy the autumn fall scenery!
[Basic Information]
- Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 06-6755-4146
- website
- Admission: Free
Hoshida Park (Late November to Early December)
Source:Jalan
At Hoshida Park in Osaka Prefectural Forest, there are well-maintained walking trails that can be circled in about 1 hour, allowing visitors to enjoy hiking.
The view from the symbolic suspension bridge "Hoshi no Buranko" is magnificent. The suspension bridge, 180m high and 280m long, is one of the largest in Japan. During the autumn fall season, you can enjoy a vivid contrast as the surrounding area is enveloped in orange-colored trees.
It's about a 1-hour walk from the nearest Keihan "Kisaichi Station" to the suspension bridge. As it's a bit far, don't forget to prepare necessary items like water and sneakers.
On the way from the station, there's a promenade called "Kawazoi no Michi" where you can feel the murmur of the river up close. As you can feel nature closely even on the way, it's recommended for those who want to enjoy light hiking.
[Basic Information]
- Address: 5019-1 Hoshida, Katano-shi, Osaka-fu
- Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 072-891-0110
- website
- Admission: Free
Midosuji Ginkgo Tree-lined Street (Early November to Late November)
Source:Osaka Metro NiNE
972 ginkgo trees are planted along Midosuji, the main street of Osaka city. The ginkgo tree-lined street, which stretches for about 4 km along Midosuji where office buildings and shops line up and there's a lot of traffic, is also popular as a street that gives citizens peace of mind. The ginkgo trees turn yellow in late November, dyeing the street golden.
When the ginkgo trees turn yellow, Midosuji is illuminated (from November 3, 2024, to January 31, 2025, for 2024). The beauty of the city lit up by illuminations is exceptional, and I was very moved when I first saw it. This fantastical space that can only be seen during this season is also recommended for dates. As it's along the main street and easily accessible from anywhere, please drop by at the end of your day.
[Basic Information]
- Address: Kitahama 3/4-chome to Namba 3/4-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi
- website
Minoo Park (Mid-November to Early December)
Source:Rurubu
Minoo Park is a nature-rich park spread at the foot of Mount Minoo. As it's easily accessible, just 30 minutes by train from Osaka city, it's crowded with many families and people enjoying hiking on holidays.
It's a famous autumn fall foliage spot in Kansai, and many people from various places visit to see the autumn leaves during the season. Especially breathtaking is the scenery of autumn leaves with the backdrop of the 33m high "Minoo Otaki" waterfall.
In the park, Minoo's specialty "Momiji Tempura" is sold, where maple leaves are wrapped in sweet batter and fried. The tempura made from maple leaves that have been salt-pickled for a year is rare in Japan and can only be tasted here. Please enjoy this slightly sweet and crispy delicacy along with the autumn leaves.
[Basic Information]
- Address: Minoo Park, Minoo-shi, Osaka-fu
- Hours: Freely open
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 072-721-3014
- website
- Admission: Free
Daisen Japanese Garden (Mid-November to Late November)
Source:Weather News
At Daisen Japanese Garden in Daisen Park in Sakai City, you can enjoy a pond and bridge full of Japanese atmosphere and carefully maintained seasonal plantings in an evocative garden that makes you feel Japanese-ness. The garden is spacious and less crowded compared to the city center, so you can enjoy a leisurely time.
During the autumn fall season, about 100 maple and ginkgo trees planted in the garden change color, creating a different scenery from usual. The contrast between the green pines and the red-dyed autumn leaves is captivating.
I especially recommend the illumination event that takes place at night. The sight of the illuminated trees reflecting in the pond is very fantastic. You can also see a scene as if a different world is spreading in the water.
[Basic Information]
- Address: Daisennakamachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka-fu
- Hours: 9:00-16:30
- Closed: Mondays (next day if it's a holiday), New Year holidays
- Phone: 072-247-3670
- website
- Admission: 200 yen
Expo '70 Commemorative Park (Early November to Early December)
Source:Official website
The park created on the site of the 1970 Osaka Expo is a vast park due to being on the expo site. Within the spacious grounds, there are various facilities such as a Japanese garden, a natural cultural garden where you can enjoy seasonal plants, an athletic park that children will enjoy, and former pavilions, making it attractive for a full day of enjoyment.
There are many autumn fall foliage spots within these vast grounds. The 360m long plane tree-lined path near Nishioji, separated by stone pavement, is a popular autumn fall foliage spot. You can feel a scenery like a European cityscape.
In the Japanese garden around Momiji Valley and Momiji Falls, you can enjoy vividly red-colored autumn leaves.
The park is so large that there are more autumn fall spots than can be introduced here. Please explore the park and find your favorite scenery.
[Basic Information]
- Address: Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita-shi, Osaka-fu
- Hours: 9:30-17:00
- Closed: Wednesdays (next day if it's a holiday)
- Phone: 0120-1970-89
- website
- Admission: 260 yen (Natural Cultural Garden & Japanese Garden)
Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple (Mid-November to Late November)
Source:tenki.jp
Ushitakisan Daitokuji Temple, which has long been famous as an autumn fall foliage spot, is also a hidden gem not well-known to tourists.
The vermilion-colored "Tahoto" (pagoda), the symbol of Daitokuji Temple, is a national important cultural property and was built over 500 years ago in the Muromachi period. The sight of it illuminated together with the autumn leaves of ginkgo and maple trees is captivating.
Daitokuji Temple is a nature-rich temple surrounded by mountains, and hiking courses are also prepared.
The course that goes around four waterfalls can be completed in about an hour. It's also recommended to enjoy the autumn leaves while savoring the natural air along with the murmur of the waterfalls.
Every November, during the peak of autumn leaves, the "Ushitakisan Momiji Festival" is held, where local specialties and famous confections are sold, and it's crowded with people. If you visit Osaka during this period, please make sure to stop by.
[Basic Information]
- Address: 1178-1 Osawachō, Kishiwada-shi, Osaka-fu
- Hours: 8:00-16:00
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 072-423-9486
- website
- Admission: Free
Katsuoji Temple (Mid-November to Early December)
Source:Official website
Katsuoji Temple has long been believed to be a temple where "you win in all aspects of life, such as sports and illness" if you pray.
The daruma (red-colored dolls with beards) seen throughout the temple are called "Kachi Daruma" (Winning Daruma). It's a tradition at Katsuoji to write your life's purpose on the bottom of the daruma and dedicate it to the temple with gratitude. The "winning" at Katsuoji doesn't mean defeating others, but "facing yourself and overcoming your weak heart."
While Katsuoji is famous for its daruma, it's also famous as an autumn fall foliage spot. The season when maple and ginkgo trees planted in the vast grounds turn color is beautiful, and illumination events are also held to match the autumn leaves. My recommended spot is in front of the mountain gate. The scenery dyed red with autumn leaves all around is breathtakingly beautiful.
[Basic Information]
- Address: Katsuodera, Minoo-shi, Osaka-fu
- Hours: Sun-Fri, Holidays 8:00-17:00 / Saturday 8:00-18:00
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 072-721-7010
- website
- Admission: 500 yen
Settsukyō Park (Mid-November to Early December)
"Settsukyō Park" is a nature park located in a forest surrounded by nature. It's a recommended spot for those who want to feel the great outdoors away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The approximately 4km hiking course allows you to enjoy rich nature while feeling the flow of the river in the valley.
There are 5 courses, but my recommendation is the course that passes through "Momiji Valley." It's a course that can be completed in about 100 minutes, and Momiji Valley, where maple trees grow in clusters, turns completely red during the autumn fall season.
In the northern part, there's a beautiful "Shirataki" waterfall with a 15-meter drop. Although it's deep in nature, it's also popular with families as there are plenty of playground equipment like swings and slides.
There's also a hot spring nearby where you can enjoy day bathing, so it's also recommended to soothe your tired body from hiking in the hot spring.
[Basic Information]
- Address: 5-3-4 Tsukawaki, Takatsuki-shi, Osaka-fu
- Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 072-687-9449
- website
- Admission: Free
Inunakisan Onsen (Mid-November to Late November)
Source:WALKER PLUS
"Inunakisan Onsen" is about 1 hour from the center of Osaka. It's a nature-rich hot spring area that can be visited on a day trip.
The hot spring area, with a flowing river and surrounded by mountains, is full of nature. It's a popular spot among locals for enjoying maple and ginkgo autumn leaves during the fall season. Especially, the approach from Inunakisan bus stop to Inunakisan Shipporyuji Temple is known as a famous hiking course for autumn leaves. At Inunakisan Shipporyuji Temple, there's "Gyoja no Taki" waterfall, where you can enjoy the autumn leaves with the waterfall as a backdrop.
There are long-established inns scattered throughout the hot spring area, where you can soak in the hot spring while looking at the scenic beauty of nature. When visiting Inunakisan, it's recommended to combine it with the hot spring. You can enjoy it on a day trip, but if you have more time in your schedule, it's also recommended to stay at an inn.
[Basic Information]
- Address: Ogi, Izumisano-shi, Osaka-fu
- Phone: 072-469-3131 (Izumisano City Tourism Association)
- website
Kyoto's Autumn Fall Spots Are Also Recommended for Those Who Want to Enjoy Shrines, Temples, and Autumn Leaves
For those who want to enjoy autumn leaves along with shrines and temples, it's also recommended to extend your trip a bit from Osaka to Kyoto. Kyoto has many shrines and temples that are famous autumn fall foliage spots. As shrines and temples are concentrated, you can visit many spots.
Kyoto is easily accessible from Osaka, less than an hour by train, and the last train is late, so it's easy to incorporate into a one-day sightseeing plan.
Access from the station is also good, and many temples hold illumination events during the autumn fall season. Even for those with limited stay schedules, it's recommended to enjoy Osaka during the day and then extend your trip to Kyoto at night.