What other travelers are saying about Fumin no Mori Narukawa Garden, Osaka
Really nice hiking place with beautiful view of the city. Ride your bycicle or bring it beyond the gate is prohibited so i have to walk from the parking area and that's a bummer.
The azaleas at Narukawa Garden typically bloom during spring, with peak viewing usually occurring from mid-April to early May. Wild cherry blossoms bloom earlier in the season, followed by the spectacular azalea displays that cover the 500-meter winding path. Weather conditions can affect exact timing, so contact the Narukawa Park Management Office at 072-988-4184 for current bloom status before visiting.
The garden requires a moderate hike of approximately 45 minutes from Kintetsu Hiraoka Station or 80 minutes from Kintetsu Ishikiri Station. The trail involves uphill walking on mountain paths. However, the garden features the Raku-raku Trail, which is designed with gentle slopes to accommodate senior citizens, families with strollers, and wheelchair users who want to reach the hilltop viewing area.
Admission to Narukawa Garden is completely free. Parking is available at no charge during regular operating hours. The garden is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except during New Year holidays from December 29th to January 4th when facilities and parking are closed, though the park itself remains accessible.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times and are not permitted inside park facilities. The garden is ideal for picnicking, particularly at Bokura no Hiroba, the open hilltop space that offers panoramic views of the Osaka Plain and Osaka Bay. This grassy area provides an excellent spot to enjoy lunch while taking in the mountain scenery.
Mount Ikoma hosts two other Osaka Prefectural Nature Parks: Nukata Garden (famous for having the largest hydrangea gardens in the prefecture with about 30 varieties and 25,000 plants) and Kusaka Garden. These parks offer different seasonal flowers including cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and various wildflowers. All three gardens are part of the Kongo-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park and can be explored during a full day of hiking.
