It's been 10 years since I moved to Osaka. What really captivated me about this city is how we spend the "autumn" season.
Osaka's autumn is different from Kyoto's glamorous temple foliage tours. The easily enjoyable autumn leaves in parks and city streets, a wide range of autumn flavors from casual gourmet to high-end cuisine, and autumn events where you can fully experience the cheerfulness of Osaka people. These elements intertwine perfectly to create a unique autumn atmosphere that's distinctly Osaka.
Let me introduce you to the charms of Osaka's autumn from a local's perspective. I'll cover everything from the best spots for autumn leaf viewing to recommended autumn cuisine and events that liven up the streets of Osaka.
Let's embark on a journey to fully enjoy Osaka's autumn together!
Table of Contents
・Recommended Autumn Foliage Spots in Osaka
・Osaka's Autumn Cuisine
・Osaka's Autumn Events
・Things to Note for Autumn Travel in Osaka
Recommended Autumn Foliage Spots in Osaka
When it comes to autumn, the highlight is definitely the autumn leaves. Unlike Kyoto, in Osaka, it's more common to enjoy autumn leaves in parks rather than at temples and shrines.
I'll introduce you to some especially recommended places from the many spots I've visited over the past 10 years.
When is the Best Time to See Autumn Leaves in Osaka?
The autumn foliage season in Osaka peaks from mid-November to early December in many places. However, it's important to note that this can vary greatly depending on the climate of that year.
In recent years, due to the impact of rising temperatures, there's a tendency for the best viewing time to be later. From my experience, if you visit around late November, you can enjoy beautiful autumn leaves at most places.
If you come too early, you might find many leaves still green, or if you're too late, the leaves might have already fallen, so timing is crucial.
Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Castle Park is also very popular among foreign tourists as an autumn foliage spot. It's an excellent photo spot where you can enjoy autumn leaves with the castle tower in the background, and I make sure to visit every year.
The contrast between the autumn leaves and the historical building is beautiful, presenting a breathtaking view. The best season is from mid to late November.
Access is convenient, with JR Loop Line "Osakajokoen Station" and Subway Chuo Line/Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line "Morinomiya Station" nearby. It gets crowded on holidays, but if you visit early in the morning on weekdays, you can enjoy the autumn leaves in a quiet atmosphere.
Website: https://www.osakacastlepark.jp/?lang=en
Minoh Park
Minoh Park is a bit away from central Osaka, but it's absolutely worth visiting during the autumn foliage season. The spectacular view of the 33-meter-high Minoh Waterfall with autumn leaves is breathtaking.
You can also enjoy magnificent autumn leaves along the walking path to the waterfall, appreciating the beauty of nature while strolling.
The best time to visit is from mid-November to early December. If you visit during this period, you'll encounter scenery that looks like a painting. The contrast between the red-dyed trees and the white waterfall is wonderful, and I never get tired of seeing it.
Moreover, the charm of Minoh Park isn't just the autumn leaves. You can also enjoy specialty foods related to autumn leaves, such as "Momiji Tempura" (deep-fried maple leaves).
The sweet and crispy texture of Momiji Tempura is an unforgettable taste once you try it. It's a spot where you can enjoy both nature and food, truly experiencing the essence of autumn.
Website: https://www.mino-park.jp/
Expo '70 Commemorative Park
Expo '70 Commemorative Park is a vast park that utilizes the site of the 1970 Osaka Expo, where various types of autumn foliage trees are planted.
The best time to visit is from mid-November to early December, when the entire park is dyed in autumn colors. The Japanese Garden is especially popular for autumn leaves, and the sight of autumn leaves planted around the pond reflecting on the water surface is spectacular.
Also, it's lovely to have a picnic with the autumn leaves as a backdrop, utilizing the vast grounds. Spending time eating lunch surrounded by autumn leaves on an autumn afternoon is truly a blissful moment.
There's a commercial facility called Expocity adjacent to the park, where you can buy lunch boxes and drinks.
Access is easy, just a short walk from "Bampaku-kinen-koen Station" on the Osaka Monorail. If you're coming from central Osaka, I recommend taking the Subway Midosuji Line to "Senri-Chuo" and then transferring to the monorail.
The view from the monorail is also enjoyable, so please enjoy the scenery from the train window.
Website: https://www.expo70-park.jp/languages/english/
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park is an area that was turned into a park after hosting the "International Garden and Greenery Exposition" in 1990.
The feature of this park is that you can enjoy autumn leaves in various landscapes, such as Japanese gardens and international gardens. The best time to visit is from mid to late November, when the entire park is dyed in autumn colors.
I particularly like this park because it has a more local atmosphere compared to other spots. There are relatively fewer tourists, and I often see local people leisurely enjoying the autumn leaves.
It's a perfect spot for those who want to enjoy autumn leaves in a quiet environment.
Access is easy, just a short walk from "Tsurumi Ryokuchi Station" on the Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line. It's also easily accessible from central Osaka, making it convenient to visit.
Website: https://www.tsurumi-ryokuchi.jp/
Mount Kongo
Mount Kongo is a mountain located between Osaka and Nara. Although it's a bit far from central Osaka, it's absolutely worth visiting during the autumn foliage season.
The panorama of autumn leaves viewed from the ropeway is breathtaking.
The best time to visit is from mid-October to mid-November, allowing you to enjoy autumn leaves a bit earlier than in central Osaka. I recommend taking the ropeway to the summit and then hiking down on foot.
After enjoying the view from the summit, hiking surrounded by autumn leaves is exceptional.
For access from the Osaka direction, you can take a bus from "Kawachinagano Station" on the Nankai Koya Line to "Kongo Ropeway-mae", and then use the ropeway to ascend. It gets crowded on weekends, so I recommend arriving early.
Osaka's Autumn Cuisine
Osaka is famous as a gourmet city, known as the "city of kuidaore" (eating until you drop). When autumn comes, you can enjoy even more delicious seasonal foods.
Matsutake Mushroom Dishes
When it comes to autumn flavors, matsutake mushrooms are the epitome. In high-end restaurants in Osaka, matsutake dishes appear as featured menu items when autumn arrives.
The aroma of matsutake rice cooked in an earthenware pot is the very essence of autumn's rich fragrance. When I take a bite, the flavor of matsutake mushrooms spreads throughout my mouth, and it's so delicious that I can't help but close my eyes.
Other dishes like matsutake dobin-mushi (steamed in a teapot) and grilled matsutake are also exquisite.
Matsutake dishes are expensive, but they're worth experiencing once during your autumn trip to Osaka. Not only in high-end restaurants, but you can also easily purchase matsutake rice at the delicatessen corners in the basements of department stores, so you can enjoy it according to your budget.
Pacific Saury
When it comes to fish in season during autumn, it's Pacific saury. It's very fatty and delicious, and you can easily enjoy it at izakayas and conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Osaka. The charm of Pacific saury is that you can savor its umami with simple cooking methods like grilled with salt, sashimi, or simmered.
Grilled Pacific saury with salt is especially delicious, with a perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior. When eaten with the accompanying grated daikon radish and squeezed citrus, it balances out the fattiness of the saury, making it refreshingly edible.
Also, at conveyor belt sushi chains like "Daiki Suisan" that are common in Osaka, Pacific saury nigiri appears as an autumn-limited item. The umami of fresh Pacific saury and the sourness of the sushi rice match perfectly, making me want to eat several plates.
Pacific saury isn't a high-end dish, but its taste is exceptional. If you want to experience Osaka's casual food culture, I highly recommend trying Pacific saury dishes.
Chestnut Sweets
When autumn comes, chestnut sweets become very popular throughout Osaka. Especially in the basement of Hankyu Department Store in Umeda, various chestnut sweets appear every autumn, and I look forward to it every year.
Among them, I particularly recommend kuri-yokan (chestnut sweet bean jelly). Kuri-yokan is a Japanese sweet where candied chestnuts are enclosed in yokan (sweet bean jelly), and the elegant sweetness and texture of chestnuts are exquisite.
For Western-style sweets, I recommend Mont Blanc. With chestnut cream generously placed on top of fluffy meringue, it's not only beautiful to look at but also delicious.
Also, many chestnut sweets appear in supermarkets and convenience stores when autumn comes. If you want to easily enjoy the taste of autumn, try stopping by supermarkets like Life or convenience stores like 7-Eleven. You can enjoy authentic flavors at reasonable prices.
Osaka's Autumn Events
Osaka's autumn is not only about beautiful foliage and delicious cuisine but also various events that liven up the season. I'll introduce you to some events that have particularly left an impression on me during my 10 years of living in Osaka.
Midosuji Autumn Party
The Midosuji Autumn Party is a large-scale event held every autumn on Midosuji, the main street that runs north-south through the center of Osaka.
Midosuji, usually overflowing with cars, becomes a pedestrian paradise, and the event space spreading across the entire street is an impressive sight.
The event features a variety of performances including street performances, live music, and dance.
Also, along Midosuji, food trucks and stalls line up, allowing you to enjoy Osaka's unique cuisine and autumn flavors.
It's typically held in November, and in 2023, it was held on November 3rd. The 2024 schedule hasn't been announced yet, but if it follows the usual pattern, it's expected to be held in early November.
I highly recommend participating for those who want to fully enjoy Osaka's autumn.
Website: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o070080/miryokuzukuri/party/index.html
Osaka Castle Illuminage
Osaka Castle Illuminage is an illumination event held at Osaka Castle Park every year from autumn to winter.
The charm of this event is that it's produced with a different theme each year. Many illuminations are themed around the history and culture of Osaka Castle.
Visiting this event with someone special on a cool autumn night is sure to create unforgettable memories. It's an illumination event where Osaka's history and culture fuse with modern technology.
Website: https://x.gd/mEdCQ
Things to Note for Autumn Travel in Osaka
For those planning to visit Osaka, I'd like to share some points to keep in mind to ensure you have a comfortable trip.
Climate and Clothing
A characteristic of Osaka's autumn is the significant temperature difference between day and night. While it's warm and comfortable during the day, the temperature drops rapidly from evening to night. I also caught a cold in the beginning because I wasn't careful.
Therefore, choosing the right clothes is very important. Basically, I recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt or blouse and bringing an extra layer to wear over it.
It's also important to choose comfortable shoes. Osaka's tourist spots surprisingly involve a lot of walking, so the comfort of your footwear greatly affects the quality of your trip.
I use sneakers with good cushioning. They don't tire me out even after walking for long hours, allowing me to comfortably enjoy exploring autumn foliage spots.
Transportation Access and Crowding
Autumn is the high season for tourism in Osaka, and famous autumn foliage spots get especially crowded on weekends.
From my experience, traffic jams around tourist areas can be quite stressful. Therefore, I recommend using trains as much as possible for areas that can be reached by train.
Osaka's public transportation system is highly developed, and you can access most tourist spots by train or bus. For example, multiple lines serve Osaka Castle Park, making it easily accessible from any direction.
Also, the subway is convenient for moving around within Osaka city, covering most major tourist spots.
For those who want to avoid crowds, I recommend sightseeing early in the morning or on weekdays. I sometimes use my days off to go autumn leaf viewing on weekdays. There are fewer people, allowing you to enjoy the autumn leaves at a leisurely pace.
Especially in Osaka Castle Park, which has vast grounds, if you visit early in the morning, you can enjoy the autumn leaves in a quiet environment.
Osaka's autumn is a wonderful season packed with attractions including autumn leaves, gourmet food, and events.
From historical buildings colored with autumn leaves, to seasonal dishes lined up in department stores, to lively events, I hope you'll visit Osaka during this charming season!