The east side of Osaka Prefecture is home to several worthwhile destinations. Highlights include Hirakata Park, a locally popular amusement park, Konosuke Matsushita Museum, which is dedicated to the founder of the Matsushita Corporation (Panasonic), and Mt Ikoma, a scenic spot on the Osaka-Nara border.

View from Ikoma over Osaka
The east side of Osaka Prefecture (Osaka-fu in Japanese) has two parts. On the north side, it’s a flat plain filled with industrial developments and suburban bedroom communities. The private Keihan Line traverses this area and stops near two of its most interesting attractions: Hirakata Park and the Konosuke Matsushita Musuem.
Osaka Holiday Essentials
- Where To Stay In Osaka: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Osaka.
- Things To Do In Osaka: Check this overview of Osaka activities with links to all the key information.
- Flights To Osaka: Find the cheapest flights to Osaka and flight times from scores of airlines with Skyscanner.
- Osaka Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Japan.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.
Further south, where Osaka Prefecture meets Nara Prefecture, the region is more mountainous. This area is traversed by the private Kintetsu Nara Line, which stops near Mt Ikoma, a mountain that offers beautiful views of both Osaka and Nara, especially in the evening.
Eastern Osaka Highlights
Things To See And Do In Eastern Osaka
- Hirakata Park (amusement park)
A short walk from Hirakata Station on the Keihan Kyoto Line, this popular amusement park is a great alternative to the pricier and often more crowded Universal Studios Japan (Hirakata Park costs about half as much as USJ). Hirakata Park has all the rides you’d expect from a large amusement park, including roller coasters etc. - Konosuke Matsushita Museum (museum)
For those with an interest in electronics and Japan’s industrial history, a visit to the Konosuke Matsushita Museum in Moriguchi City is highly recommended. Matsushita founded the famous Matsushita Corporation, which is better known as Panasonic.
- Mt Ikoma (mountain)
A 642-meter mountain straddling the border of Osaka and Nara prefectures, Mt Ikoma offers some of the best and most easily accessible views over the region.

Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help