As autumn deepens and the trees turn vivid shades of red and gold, I visited the Hoshi no Buranko, one of Japan’s largest suspension bridges, located in Hoshida Park in Katano City, Osaka.
With a total length of 280 meters, an elevation of 180 meters, and a maximum height of 50 meters above the ground, the panoramic view of the autumn foliage from the bridge is simply breathtaking. The scenic view from the observation deck is also not to be missed!
It’s a highly recommended destination for autumn outings.
Starting the Walk from Keihan Railway Kisaichi Station
The nearest station is Keihan Kisaichi Station, and it takes about one hour on foot to reach Hoshi no Buranko.
Since the bridge is located within Hoshida Park, you can enjoy the scenic hiking trails of the park on your way to the bridge.
Exploring the Hiking Trails of Hoshida Park ♪
Kawazoi no Michi (Riverside Trail)
The first part of the hiking course follows the Amano River, offering a peaceful riverside walk.
The Amano River is famous in folklore as the river that separates Orihime and Hikoboshi from the Tanabata legend.
The water flow is gentle, and the surrounding scenery of trees and calm water is truly beautiful.
Enjoy Forest Bathing Among Towering Trees
After passing through the riverside area, you’ll find yourself surrounded by tall, dense trees—almost like a jungle!
You can see how tall the trees are by comparing them with the people walking ahead. It’s a perfect spot for a refreshing forest bath.
Beautiful Autumn Foliage Along the Hiking Trail
When you think of autumn in Hoshida Park, you probably picture the view from Hoshi no Buranko. But as you can see, the foliage along the hiking trails is also stunning!
The overlapping leaves create a magnificent gradation of colors!
It was so beautiful—almost like a watercolor painting—that I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
Shortcut via the “Bouken no Michi” Trail
In the latter half of the hiking course, there’s a rest area called Piton no Koya. A little further ahead, the trail splits into two paths.
The left path is an uphill route that takes about 25 minutes to reach Hoshi no Buranko.
The right path is a staircase trail called Bouken no Michi (Adventure Trail), which takes only about 15 minutes to the bridge.
I chose the Bouken no Michi route this time.
As you can see, it’s a long stretch of stairs that feels like a light mountain climb.
It was a bit tiring, but since it only took 15 minutes and I could enjoy the forest atmosphere along the way, it wasn’t too tough.
Breathtaking Autumn Views from Hoshi no Buranko
After about an hour of walking from Kisaichi Station, I finally reached Hoshi no Buranko!
The mountains across the bridge were glowing in bright shades of orange.
The combination of Japan’s largest suspension bridge and the colorful autumn mountains made for a truly picture-perfect scene.
A Sea of Autumn Leaves Ahead
This is the view in front of you while crossing the bridge.
Surrounded by vibrant foliage on all sides, it felt as if I were walking through a sea of autumn colors!
A Flower Field of Autumn Colors to the Side
This is the side view from the bridge.
From above, the trees look like blooming flowers, creating a breathtaking view that resembles a vast field of autumn blossoms!
A Carpet of Autumn Colors Below
Looking straight down from the bridge, you can see a vivid natural carpet of green, red, orange, and yellow trees perfectly layered together — a masterpiece created by nature itself!
Photo Spots
At the entrance to the bridge, there’s a heart-shaped monument, and at the exit, a swing-style bench — both popular photo spots.
There are stands where you can place your smartphone, so you can take photos even if you’re alone.
As for me, I didn’t quite have the courage to do that 😅
Panoramic View from the Observation Deck – Hoshi no Buranko Floating Over a Sea of Autumn Colors
About 12 minutes uphill from Hoshi no Buranko, you’ll find an observation deck.
The view from here is absolutely spectacular and not to be missed!
As you can see, from the observation deck you can admire the Hoshi no Buranko bridge gracefully spanning a sea of autumn foliage, with the cityscape spreading out behind it — truly a magnificent view!
This zoomed-in shot makes the bridge look as if it’s floating above a vast sea of autumn colors — it’s truly magical!
This was actually my second visit to Hoshi no Buranko, but during my first trip, I didn’t know about this observation deck and went home without seeing it. I really regretted that!
If you’ve come all the way to Hoshi no Buranko, don’t miss the observation deck — the view is absolutely worth it!
You Can Even See the Tower of the Sun!
Looking to the left from the observation deck, I could actually spot the famous Tower of the Sun!
The photo is heavily zoomed in, but you can just barely see it with the naked eye — it looks tiny, like a little bean 😅
It’s located just to the right of the Ferris wheel, so try looking for it when you visit!
Piton’s Cabin and Food Truck Information
In the latter part of the Hoshida Park hiking course, there’s a rest area called Piton’s Cabin.
Inside, you’ll find vending machines and ice cream for sale, along with tables and chairs where you can take a break.
There’s also a public restroom next to it, so it’s a good idea to stop here before heading to Hoshi no Buranko.
In the same area, there were two food trucks — let’s take a look!
hachiiro kitchen
hachiiro kitchen offers drinks made with honey produced right here in Hoshida Park!
They also serve pasta, curry, and other foods — you can get a good deal by ordering a drink and meal set.
I ordered the “Honey Lemonade”, which cost 600 yen.
The balance between the lemon’s tartness and the sweetness of the honey was perfect — it was delicious!
Buraun-tei Food Truck
Buraun-tei sells churros, corn dogs, and coffee.
You can choose from six flavors of churros — sugar, chestnut, purple sweet potato, and more.
Prices are very reasonable for a tourist spot: churros cost 300 yen, coffee 300 yen (small) or 350 yen (medium), and corn dogs 200 yen each!
I ordered a sugar-flavored churro and a medium hot coffee.
The churro was freshly fried — crispy, hot, and perfectly sweet! Absolutely delicious.
Access
You can reach Hoshida Park either by public transportation or by car.
- By train: About 60 minutes on foot from Keihan Kisaichi Station to Hoshi no Buranko.
- By car: About 27 minutes on foot from the paid Hoshida Park parking lot to Hoshi no Buranko.
(To access the parking lot, take National Route 1 or 163 to Route 168, cross the river, and follow the signs to the park’s parking area.)
The park’s trails are well-maintained, so wear comfortable walking shoes for your visit.
Summary
Hoshi no Buranko in Hoshida Park is the perfect place to enjoy a stroll through the air while taking in the beautiful autumn scenery.
The hiking trails are rich in nature, and you can enjoy the sound of the Amano River flowing as you walk through the forest.
After crossing the bridge, don’t forget to head up to the observation deck for an unforgettable panoramic view.
It’s an ideal destination for a weekend trip or an outing with family and friends — come and experience the stunning autumn colors for yourself!
In the article below, I explain how to get from Kisaichi Station to Hoshi no Buranko with photos 👇
