Nishinomaru Garden

In short

A lawn garden extending to the west of the Osaka Castle main keep, said to be the former site of the residence of Kita no Mandokoro, the primary wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It opened in 1965 as a lawn garden of approximately 6.5 hectares, and, surrounded by trees, it offers beautiful views of the main keep and the stone walls of the moats. It is a facility inside Osaka Castle Park that requires a separate admission fee.

• ​The Main Keep and Cherry Blossoms​​: Around 300 cherry trees, centered on Somei Yoshino, burst into bloom, and the spot has a reputation for offering the most beautiful combination of the main keep and cherry blossoms. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal nature, with azaleas in early summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and winter camellias
• ​Inui-yagura Turret​​: From inside the garden, you can see the L-shaped Inui-yagura Turret. Built in 1620 and designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, it is, along with the Sengan-yagura Turret, the oldest surviving building in Osaka Castle Park
• ​Osaka Geihinkan and Houshouan​​: The Osaka Geihinkan, which served as the venue for the international conference "APEC '95" in November 1995, is a purely Japanese-style building modeled after the Shiroshoin of Ninomaru Palace at Nijo Castle. In the northeastern corner of the garden sits the teahouse "Houshouan," which was donated to Osaka City by Matsushita Konosuke in 1969

History and Highlights

​Nishinomaru Garden​ is a lawn garden extending to the west of the Osaka Castle main keep. It is said to be the former site of the residence of Kita no Mandokoro, the primary wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and opened in 1965 as a lawn garden spanning approximately 6.5 hectares. Surrounded by trees, it offers beautiful views of the main keep and the stone walls of the moats.

In spring, around 300 cherry trees, centered on Somei Yoshino, burst into bloom, making it well known as a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal nature throughout the year, such as azaleas in early summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and winter camellias in winter.

Within the garden stands the Osaka Geihinkan (Osaka State Guest House), which served as the venue for the "APEC '95" international conference held in Osaka in November 1995. Newly built to entertain visiting dignitaries from various countries, it is a purely Japanese-style building modeled after the Shiroshoin of Ninomaru Palace at Nijo Castle in Kyoto.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​The Main Keep and Cherry Blossoms​​: This spot has a reputation for offering the most beautiful combination of the main keep and cherry blossoms. While Osaka Castle Park as a whole has about 3,000 cherry trees, this garden is highly recommended if you wish to enjoy cherry blossom viewing with the castle tower in the background.
• ​Inui-yagura Turret​​: From inside the garden, you can see the L-shaped Inui-yagura Turret. Built in 1620 and designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, it is, alongside the Sengan-yagura Turret, the oldest surviving building in Osaka Castle Park.
• ​Teahouse "Houshouan"​​: In the northeastern corner of the garden sits the teahouse "Houshouan," which was donated to Osaka City by Matsushita Konosuke in 1969.

Walking Tips

The garden is a facility inside Osaka Castle Park that requires a separate admission fee. It is about a 10-minute walk from Osakajokoen Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line or Tanimachi 4-chome Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line. The exhibits inside the main keep as well as the remaining gates and turrets across the castle grounds are introduced in the spots for Osaka Castle and Osaka Castle Park. Touring them together will allow you to enjoy the castle's history more deeply.