Osaka · Osaka Castle ParkNo.127★★★Open in map →
Nishinomaru Garden
A 6.5-hectare lawn garden on the western side of Osaka Castle Park, known for its clear, unobstructed sightline to the castle keep rising above the stone walls and moat.
Nishinomaru Garden sits on the western side of Osaka Castle Park. Unlike the tree-filled enclosure of many park spots, it is a wide, open lawn — which gives it an unobstructed view of the castle's main keep as it rises above the old stone walls and moat. About 300 Somei Yoshino cherry trees make it one of Osaka's best-known spots for spring blossom viewing; during the season the garden stays open into the evening for illuminated viewing. A separate admission of 200 yen for adults is charged at the gate, and the garden opens daily except Mondays and New Year holidays.
Background & history
The garden opened in 1965 on ground long associated with the former residence of Kita no Mandokoro, wife of the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The castle keep it looks out on is a 1931 steel-reinforced concrete reconstruction, with major repair works completed in 1997. In the garden's northeast corner, the Hoshuan teahouse serves matcha in the traditional way.
What to look for — in walking order
- Nishinomaru Garden entrance
- admission gate (200 yen adults); the open lawn begins here
- Keep view from the lawn
- an open sightline to the main castle tower rising above the stone walls and moat
- Hoshuan teahouse
- a teahouse in the northeast corner serving matcha (powdered green tea)
- Spring blossoms
- about 300 Somei Yoshino cherry trees, with evening illumination during the blossom season
How to enjoy it
The garden is at its best in late March to early April, when the open lawn frames the castle keep behind a foreground of cherry blossoms; during that season it stays open into the evening for illumination. The garden closes on Mondays and charges a small admission (200 yen) separate from the main tower. Walking the outer moat loop is free and takes about 40 minutes, with views from several angles.
How to actually get there
- Osaka Stn → Osakajokoen Stn (JR Osaka Loop Line, ~10 min)
- Osakajokoen Stn → into Osaka Castle Park (walk, a few min)
- Through the park to the west side → Nishinomaru Garden entrance (walk, ~15-20 min total)
- JR Osaka Loop Line
- Osaka Stn →(JR Osaka Loop Line, ~10 min)→ Osakajokoen Stn →(walk through the park to the west side, ~15-20 min)→ Nishinomaru Garden. Total ~30 min. Trains run very often, every few minutes.
- Return to central Osaka
- Walk back to Osakajokoen Stn and take the JR Osaka Loop Line back to Osaka Stn (~10 min). Trains run frequently all day. Note the garden itself closes at 17:00 (16:30 Nov-Feb), so plan to leave before then.
Before you go
- Cash
- IC cards (ICOCA, Suica, etc.) work on the trains. The garden admission (200 yen, adults) is paid at the gate by cash or IC.
- Closing days
- The garden closes on Mondays (or the next weekday if Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year holidays. In cherry blossom season (late March to early April) it is very crowded.
- Another way
- Walking the outer moat loop around the castle is free and takes about 40 minutes, giving views of the keep from several angles.
- After you get off
- From Osakajokoen Stn, walk into the park and head to the west side, about 15-20 min on paved paths, to reach the Nishinomaru Garden entrance.