Osaka is more than just tall buildings and neon – it’s got some great parks and green spaces. Starting in mid-October, the leaves turn color and you can enjoy the autumn foliage right through December. Here are our picks for the best spots.
Ginko trees in Autumn on Midosuji Boulevard © hetgacom
In a hurry? Scroll down to find our list of Osaka’s best fall foliage spots. For some information on foliage season, read the following section.
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.
When is fall foliage season in Osaka?
In and around Osaka, the leaves start changing color sometime in October. The peak of fall colors usually comes in mid-November, and you can usually see colors on the trees until mid-December. Thus, in an average year, the foliage season in Osaka lasts from 15 October to 15 December, with a peak around 15 November.
Note that the fall foliage is spectacular in nearby Kyoto and Nara. If you are early for the leaves in Osaka, head to Kyoto, where the leaves turn a little earlier.
Fall foliage in Banpaku Memorial Park © takapprs_flickr
Osaka’s best fall foliage spots
Osaka Castle Park: The most convenient and appealing foliage spot in Osaka is the spacious park that surrounds Osaka Castle. This park, known as Osaka-jo-koen in Japanese, has some great maple and gingko trees. The castle looks great when viewed through the colorful leaves.
Mino Falls: Located in northern Osaka Prefecture, about half an hour by train from central Osaka, this mountain park has the best foliage in Osaka. A stroll up along the river to the falls is a great way to spend an autumn day in Osaka.
Banpaku Memorial Park: An easy 30-minute trip from central Osaka, this spacious park makes a great trip out of the city. The foliage in the park is fantastic and the nearby Expo City dining and entertainment complex makes a nice add-on to the trip.
Midosuji Boulevard: Osaka’s “main street,” this wide boulevard is lined with gingko trees that burst into bright yellow during foliage season. While the street runs right through Honmachi (in Central Osaka), the best place to enjoy the colors along this street is along the section that runs through Minami.
Osaka Castle with fall foliage © picsoflife
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
- Get a prepaid Icoca card to make travelling around Osaka easy – here's how
- 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