Written by Lily Crossley-Baxter
In Osaka, autumn leaves transform the busy city, temple precincts, nearby mountains, and beyond into a pleasing mélange of sunny yellows, golden browns, and deep reds.
Osaka is a great city to explore in autumn. While some spots are day-trip destinations or hiking adventures, you can also pick from more central options if you’re short on time. Walking down Midōsuji Avenue or visiting the castle are perfect ways to check out Osaka’s fall foliage displays, even on a tight schedule.
Osaka autumn forecast 2024: When is the best time to go?
For 2024, autumn leaves in Osaka are expected to peak between late November and early December, depending on the exact location and elevation.
Higher altitudes and the outskirts will experience peak color changes earlier, with urban spots like Osaka Castle and Midōsuji Avenue usually peaking later in the season.
Pro tip: Check out our all-Japan autumn leaves forecast and the top spots to visit while you’re traveling Japan in the fall season.
Top picks for fall foliage spots in Osaka
Without further ado, here are our top picks for the best places to see autumn leaves in Osaka.
1. Osaka Castle
10-minute train ride from Osaka Station¥200 for Nishinomaru Garden; ¥600 for the castle tower
The sightseeing spot that just keeps on giving, Osaka Castle has hundreds of cherry and plum trees that transform the surrounding Nishinomaru Garden into an autumnal beauty spot. Meanwhile, rows of golden ginkgo trees line the paths leading to the iconic castle tower, including one that is over 100 years old.
While enjoying the colors from ground level is pretty satisfying, a trip up the tower offers a vista of the whole city.
2. Hoshida Park Suspension Bridge
45-minute train ride from Osaka Station, and then a 40-minute hike from Kisaichi StationFree
Located in a quasi-national park, the Hoshi no Buranko (meaning “Star Swing”) is possibly one of the most stunning autumn viewpoints in the whole of Japan, let alone Osaka. Offering views across the 105-hectare park, the largely wooden suspension bridge is 50 meters high and allows you to look down across the trees (assuming you’re not scared of heights, of course).
The park is home to multiple hiking trails and a 16-ft artificial climbing wall, so there are plenty of ways to experience the foliage. Note that Hoshida Park is a 40-minute hike from the nearest station.
3. Daisen Park
30-minute train ride from Osaka Station¥200 for Japanese Garden
Home to one of Japan’s top 100 gardens, Daisen Park is a popular autumn spot as it combines clever landscaping with deep-red leaves. The garden has a small teahouse where you can try seasonal sweets and green tea, while enjoying the view.
4. Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park (Bampaku Kinen Kōen)
35-minute train ride from Umeda StationPark entry is ¥260; the Japanese garden costs an additional ¥260
Known as Bampaku Kinen Kōen in Japanese, this large park hosted the pavilions of the Japan World Exposition in 1970. Featuring miniature forests, manicured lawns, a Japanese garden, thousands of cherry trees, and the Momiji Waterfall, it’s a great place to view the autumn leaves.
Pro tip: Stroll along Sorado Promenade for views of the waterfall as the maple leaves turn red. Also, take a photo in front of the famous Tower of the Sun statue by Taro Okamoto.
Middle School students: ¥80
Elementary School students: ¥80
5. Minō Falls and Katsuō-ji Temple
30-minute train ride from Umeda StationFree
One of the most popular destinations for an afternoon out in Osaka, Minō Park offers a gentle hike along a river, with a few bonus spots along the way. Ending in a picturesque view of Minō Falls, complete with a small bridge (and probably lots of people), the walk is about 3 km long.
Look out for Katsuō-ji, a small temple known for its links with daruma (the round, red, one-eyed dolls). There are loads of shops and eateries along the way too — be sure to try the fried momiji (maple) leaves, a local autumn specialty.
Minō hosts a momiji festival from mid-November to early December with stalls, forest yoga, illuminations, and plenty of tasty autumnal treats.
6. Ushitakisan Daitoku-ji Temple
26-minute train ride from Namba Station, then a 50-minute bus trip from Kishiwada StationFree
An area of mountains well known for autumn foliage, Ushitakisan is home to Daitoku-ji — a temple with a two-storey pagoda designated as an Important Cultural Asset. Framed with the colors of fall, the Tahōtō pagoda, bell tower, and Daishidō hall all make for stunning views. And although it’s at the end of a pretty long bus journey, it’s worth it.
There is a momiji (maple) avenue to stroll down, the beautiful Kinryū Falls nearby, and stalls selling local seasonal goods. The temple is one of Japan’s oldest, and was used by the monk Kūkai in the 9th century.
Pro tip: On the same bus route, get off at Ushitaki-Onsen Seseragiso-mae bus stop if you fancy a soak in the feather-like waters of Iyoyaka no Sato-an, a hot-spring complex with outdoor baths.
7. Midōsuji Avenue
2-minute walk from Shinsaibashi StationFree
A 4-km stretch of unusually wide road, Midōsuji Avenue is lined with ginkgo trees and transformed into a golden haven every autumn. Located in Shinsaibashi, the avenue features high-end stores and boutiques, and is also a romantic place for a stroll in the evening.
Nicknamed the Champs Élysées of Japan, Midōsuji Avenue has over 800 trees and is an easy-to-visit autumn spot right in the heart of Osaka.
8. Mt. Kongō
30-minute train ride from Namba Station and then a 40-minute bus from Kawachinagano StationFree
On the prefectural border with Nara, Mount Kongō is Osaka’s tallest mountain and is popular in winter for its ice trees (juhyō), but also has some impressive fall foliage. Part of the Kongō Katsuragi range, the peak is 1,125 meters tall and home to castle ruins, temples, and shrines, as well as plenty of hiking routes for all levels.
9. Kyūan-ji Temple
35-minute train ride from Osaka Station and then a 15-minute bus from Ikeda StationFree
Kyūan-ji Temple is one of the most popular spots to enjoy fall leaves in northern Osaka.
The ancient temple is known for its traditional and long-lasting buildings, as well as its maple leaves, which enhance the already beautiful gardens. Be sure to see the pagoda, bell tower, and ancient trees — and if you have time, try the forest-bathing course.
Kyūan-ji also has its own autumn leaves festival, which is generally held on the third Sunday of November (November 17 in 2024).
10. Settsukyo Gorge
20-minute train ride from Osaka Station, 10-minute bus ride from Takatsuki Station, then a 30-minute hikeFree
Located in the upper-mid section of the Akutagawa River basin, Settsukyo Gorge is a scenic area in the Osaka/Hokusetsu region. It spans 42.65 hectares of mountains and forests. It’s a year-round beauty, with cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in autumn.
There are five hiking trails within the park, but the mountainside forest trail is particularly stunning in autumn. This trail takes you through a valley of maple trees, and you’ll encounter a 15-meter waterfall midway through your hike.
If you prefer something a bit different, the ravine course allows you to stroll along the bank of a clear river, admiring the park’s famous rock formations.
Pro tip: Settsukyo Hananosato-onsen Sansuikan, a hot-spring ryokan with outdoor baths, is nearby as well.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in October 2018. Last update: September 2024.
