Osaka’s autumn leaves transform quiet corners of the busy city into seasonal treats, from temples to mountains and beyond.
Turning a tempting blend of golden browns and pleasing reds from mid-November to early December, Osaka is a great city to explore in autumn. While some spots are day-trip destinations or hiking adventures, you can also pick from the central options if you’re short on time. Walking up Midosuji Avenue or visiting the castle are perfect ways to see Osaka autumn leaves even if you’re on a tight schedule.
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1. Osaka Castle
The sightseeing spot that just keeps on giving, Osaka Castle’s hundreds of cherry and plum trees transform the surrounding Nishinomaru Park into an autumnal beauty spot. Rows of golden gingko trees line the paths leading to the iconic castle tower, with one aged at over a century old.
While enjoying the colors from ground level is pretty satisfying, a trip up the tower offers a vista of the whole city, with the various parks providing a seasonal take on the already stunning view.
- Hours: 9 am to 5 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
- Closest stations: Osaka Business Park, Osakajo-koen or Temmabashi Station
- Entry: ¥200 for the gardens, ¥600 for the castle tower.
2. Hoshida Park Suspension Bridge
Located in a quasi-national park, the Hoshi no Buranko (meaning “star swing”) is possibly one of the most stunning autumn views in the whole of Japan, let alone Osaka. Offering views across the 105 hectare park, the largely wooden suspension bridge is 50 m high and allows you to look down across the trees (assuming you’re not scared of heights, of course).
The park is home to multiple hiking trails and a 16 ft artificial climbing wall, so there are plenty of ways to experience the foliage. The park is a 40-minute hike from the nearest station and they are currently expecting peak colors at around mid-November.
- Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (final entry to the bridge is at 4 pm)
- Access: Hike from Kisaichi Station on the Keihan Line, 45 minutes from Osaka Station
- Entry: Free
3. Daisen Park | 大仙公園
Home to one of the country’s top 100 Japanese gardens, Daisen Park is a popular autumn spot as it combines landscaping with deep-red leaves. The views in miniature aren’t overwhelmed with autumnal colours, but the carefully selected trees provide a beautiful scene straight from traditional paintings. The garden has a small teahouse where you can try a seasonal sweet with green tea while enjoying the view before exploring the rest of the park.
- Hours: Open 24 hours for the park. The Japanese garden is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (last entry at 4 pm); closed Mondays.
- Access: Head to Mozu Station on the Hanwa Line – 35 minutes from Osaka or 10 from Tennoji.
- Price: The park is free. The Japanese garden costs ¥200.
4. Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park | 万博記念公園
Known as Banpaku Kinenkoen in Japanese, this large park was once used to host the pavilions of the Japan World Exposition in 1970 and is still going strong on that claim to fame. Featuring forests, lawns, a Japanese garden, thousands of cherry trees and the Momiji Waterfall, it’s a great place to view the autumn leaves (70s clothing optional).
Stroll along Sorado Promenade for views of the waterfall as the maple leaves turn a deep red as the season progresses. The park itself is also pleasant to meander trhough, with plenty of pleasing hues surrounding the unusual park symbols like the Tower of the Sun by Taro Okamoto.
- Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm, last entry at 4:30 pm. The park is closed on Wednesdays.
- Access: Catch the Osaka Monorail to Expo Memorial Park Station (bampakukinenkoen on Hyperdia), about 20 minutes if you take the Midosuji Line from Umeda to Senri-Chuo and change there.
- Entry: Park entry is ¥260, the Japanese garden costs an additional ¥260.
5. Mino Falls & Katsuoji | 箕面公園 & 応頂山 勝尾寺
One of the most popular spots for an afternoon out in Osaka, Minoo Park is a soft hike along a river with a few bonus spots along the way. Ending in the picturesque view of Mino Falls complete with small bridge (and probably lots of people), the walk is about 3 km long and has a few bonus spots along the way, like Katsuoji, a small but popular temple known for its links with Daruma (the small red figures). There are shops and small restaurants along the way too, so be sure to try the fried manju leaves—an autumn specialty. They hold a momiji festival through November, with stalls and plenty of tasty autumnal treats.
- Hours: Always open
- Illumination: Katsuoji is lit up during early evening on weekends and holidays during the season (early November to November 30). Note: Tansport is limited, so plan ahead.
- Access: From Umeda Station, take the Takarazuka Line to Ishibashi, then change to the Minoo Line, getting off at Minoo Station. It takes just under 30 minutes and costs ¥270.
- Entry: Free
6. Ushitakisan Daitokuji | 大威徳寺
An area of mountains well known for autumn foliage, Ushitakisan is home to Daitokuji—a temple with a two-story pagoda designated as an Important Cultural Asset. Framed with the colors of autumn, the Tahoto pagoda, bell tower and Daishodo Hall all make for a stunning view, and although it’s at the end of a pretty long bus journey, it’s worth it.
There is a momiji (maple) avenue to stroll down, the beautiful Kinryu Falls nearby and stalls selling local, seasonal goods. The temple is one of Japan’s oldest and was used by Kukai in the 9th century.
On the same bus route, get off at Ushitaki-Onsen Seseragiso-mae bus stop if you fancy a soak in the feather-like waters of Iyoyaka no Sato—an onsen with outdoor baths.
- Hours: No closing hours, but public transport is relatively limited, so check in advance
- Access: From Kishiwada Station (25 minutes from Namba Station on the airport express), catch the local Nankai bus to Ushitakayama (50 minutes). You can also catch the bus from Kumeda Station on the JR Hanwa Line (50 minutes from Osaka Station with one change).
- Entry: Free
7. Midosuji Avenue | 御堂筋
A 4 km stretch of unusually wide road, Midosuji Avenue is lined with ginkgo trees and transformed into a golden haven every autumn. Located in Shinsaibashi, the avenue is home to high-end stores and boutiques as well as being a romantic place for a stroll in the evening.
Nicknamed the Champs Élysées of Japan, it has over 800 trees and is an easy-to-visit autumn spot right in the heart of the city.
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Access: The street is between Hommachi and Yodoyobashi Station but is within walking distance of Shinsaibashi, Kitahama, and Higobashi Station too.
- Entry: Free
8. Mount Kongo
On prefectural border with Nara, Mount Kongo is Osaka’s tallest mountain and is popular in winter for ice trees (juhyo), but also has some stunning autumnal foliage to admire. Part of the Kongo Katsuragi range, it is 1,125 m tall and home to castle ruins, temples, and shrines, as well as plenty of hiking routes perfect for all levels.
- Hours: Open all year round
- Access: From Namba Station, catch the Nankai Koya Line f to Kawachinagano Station. From there, catch the Nankai Bus bound for “Kongosan Ropeway Mae”.
- Entry: Free
9. Kyuanji Temple
Kyuanji Temple is one of the most popular spots to enjoy fall leaves in northern Osaka.
The ancient temple is known for its traditional and long-lasting buildings as well as its maple leaves which enhance the already beautiful gardens. Be sure to see the pagoda, bell tower and ancient trees—and if you have time, try the forest-bathing course.
The temple also has its own autumn leaves festival which is generally held on the third Sunday of November. The festival was canceled in 2020, and it has not yet been confirmed for this year (check back for updates). When it does run, the event features a tea ceremony as well as traditional practices making it a great way to celebrate the sights and flavors of autumn.
- Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
- Access: Head to Ikeda Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. From there, catch the bus for Kyuanji (15 minutes).
- Entry: ¥300
This post is updated annually. Last update: September 21, 2021.
