Nakanoshima Park

Nakanoshima Park is the oldest public park in Osaka, covering the eastern end of Nakanoshima, a long island between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers in Kita Ward. It is free to enter and best known for its rose garden. Several of Osaka's finest early 20th-century buildings stand along its edge.

The park covers more than 10 hectares, about the eastern half of the island. Riverside paths run along both banks, and the lawns are popular for picnics. The rest of the island, with its museums and concert halls, is covered in our Nakanoshima district guide.

How to get to Nakanoshima Park

Three stations put you within a few minutes of the park:

• Naniwabashi Station (Keihan Nakanoshima Line): right beside the rose garden

• Kitahama Station (Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line, Keihan Main Line): about five minutes on foot

• Yodoyabashi Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Keihan Main Line): about five minutes on foot, passing the Central Public Hall on the way

From Osaka or Umeda Station, the Midosuji Line reaches Yodoyabashi in one stop. You can also see the park from the river on the Aqua Liner sightseeing boat, which is part of this castle and river cruise day.

What to see in Nakanoshima Park

Nakanoshima Rose Garden

The rose garden opened in 1980 and is the main reason most visitors come. A canal crossed by an arched bridge divides it into two sections. The roses bloom twice a year, in mid- to late May and again in October.

Osaka City Central Public Hall

The Osaka City Central Public Hall was completed in 1918. You pass it on the walk from Yodoyabashi Station, and it is the building most visitors photograph.

Nakanoshima Library and the museums

The Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library dates from 1904. Close by are the Museum of Oriental Ceramics and the Children's Book Forest, a library designed by Tadao Ando with a large green apple sculpture outside.

Naniwa-bashi Bridge

Naniwa-bashi crosses the river beside the park and is nicknamed the Lion Bridge for the stone lions at its ends.

Best time to visit Nakanoshima Park

Come in mid- to late May or in October for the roses. In late March and early April, about 100 cherry trees bloom on the island and are lit up at night. During the Tenjin Matsuri on July 25, boats carrying drummers and worshipers fill the river around the island. The Japan Tourism Agency's park description covers the island's history as a rice market.

The park is a short stop on a full city day. It is one of the Osaka sights on a two-week Tokyo to Naoshima route that also takes in Kyoto.