Located in the heart of Nagai Park, the Nagai Botanical Garden is a relaxing spot where about 1,000 species and 120,000 plants bloom in harmony. It’s a beloved oasis where visitors can enjoy the changing seasons right in the middle of the city. When I visited, the Cosmos Fair was taking place, and the entire garden was beautifully filled with colorful flowers. The fair is held annually from October to late November, attracting many people as one of Osaka’s most iconic autumn events.
Strolling Through the Rose Garden and Dahlia Beds
The Tunnel of Bald Cypress Trees
The first thing that catches your eye as you enter the garden is this beautiful row of bald cypress trees!
The vivid colors truly form a tunnel of autumn leaves. While the dominant tone is golden yellow, hints of orange can be seen here and there, making it even more beautiful.
The Central Pond
Once you pass through the cypress tunnel, a large pond appears before you.
As its name suggests, the pond is quite large. The autumn leaves reflected across the water look stunning! You can also see a light blue bridge called Ichimonji Bridge in the distance — I decided to cross it later!
The Rose Garden
No visit to Nagai Botanical Garden is complete without seeing the famous rose garden!
This rose garden showcases a variety of colors and species.
Which color of rose do you like best? For me, the pure and elegant white roses were the most captivating.
The Dahlia Beds
Although the sign said the dahlias were past their peak, they were still quite charming!
The tall flowers in the back are Emperor Dahlias. They can grow over 3 meters tall — a truly majestic sight! (The formal name is Tree Dahlia.) While most regular dahlias were fading, these Emperor Dahlias had just started to bloom.
Some beautiful dahlias were still blooming like this one! If you look closely, you can even spot a bee resting on a flower in the background.
A Butterfly on a Dahlia
This was my favorite shot of the day! I managed to capture a butterfly delicately sipping nectar from a white dahlia. I was silently praying, “Please don’t fly away!” while taking this photo (laughs).
Scenic Views from Ichimonji Bridge
Here is the Ichimonji Bridge that could be seen from the pond earlier.
Beyond the bridge, a vivid landscape of autumn leaves spreads out — it’s picture-perfect! And when you turn your gaze to the side…
The fountain in the pond and the reflection of autumn leaves on the water create a beautiful scene. If you visit Nagai Botanical Garden, make sure to cross Ichimonji Bridge and take in the view!
The Cosmos Fair – A Field of Autumn Flowers
And here it is — the star of Nagai Botanical Garden in autumn, a vast field of colorful cosmos flowers!
The endless field of cosmos flowers was truly breathtaking!
There are small paths winding through the flower field, allowing you to walk among the colorful cosmos and enjoy them up close.
Food Trucks at Nagai Botanical Garden｜Crepes & Hot Sandwiches
Near the entrance of the garden, there were two food trucks serving sweets and light snacks — perfect for a quick treat after a stroll.
Crepe Truck
This crepe truck offers six types of sweet crepes and brulée-style desserts. Their most popular item is the Caramel Banana Cream Crepe!
Hot Sandwich & Coffee Truck
This truck mainly serves hot sandwiches and freshly brewed coffee. They also have plenty of drink options like strawberry milk and apple lemonade. What’s special is that their coffee is hand-dripped — highly recommended for coffee lovers!
I tried the ham and cheese hot sandwich — it cost 450 yen. Eating it while gazing at the flower fields made it taste even better! If you visit Nagai Botanical Garden, I highly recommend giving it a try.
Access Information
The garden is located inside Nagai Park, just a short walk from Nagai Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji Line / JR Hanwa Line). Follow the signs within the park to reach the garden entrance.
Address: 1-23 Nagai Park, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City
Nearest Station: Nagai Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji Line / JR Hanwa Line)
Admission Fees
- Adults: 300 yen
- High school / university students: 200 yen (student ID required)
- Junior high school students and younger, Osaka residents aged 65+, and persons with disabilities (plus one caregiver): Free
*Additional fees may apply for nighttime or special events.
Annual Pass: Adults 1,500 yen / Students 1,000 yen
Opening Hours & Closed Days
Opening Hours
- March – October: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM)
- November – February: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)
Closed Days
- Every Monday (or the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday)
- New Year holidays (Dec 28 – Jan 4)
Summary
In autumn, Nagai Botanical Garden bursts into color with cosmos, autumn leaves, and many seasonal flowers. It’s a peaceful oasis in the middle of Osaka, perfect for photography, dates, or simply unwinding in nature. The view from Ichimonji Bridge is especially beautiful, and the scenery changes with every season. With easy access from Nagai Station, it’s an ideal destination for an autumn stroll in Osaka.
This article features the autumn foliage of Nagai Park and a relaxing forest walk in the Local Forest area 👇
