Nishinomaru Garden (西の丸庭園) is the area around the western side of famous Osaka Castle (大阪城) which I already covered in this article. It is a very lovely garden that houses over 600 cherry trees, making it a splendid location to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Season in late March/early April every year. Likewise, it displays a beautiful autumn foliage later in the year.
Aside from the many cherry trees, the garden is home to an ambient tea house as well as the former Osaka (大阪) Guest House, where the former government greeted important political guests. Nishinomaru Garden was first officially opened in 1965, 34 years after the reconstruction of the Osaka Castle Tower.
As a residence and political symbol of famous shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉), the Nishinomaru Garden area was home to his wife, Kita no mandokoro.
Nishinomaru Garden offers a great view of both Osaka Castle itself and the surrounding walls. If you’re interested in the castle and its history, I would highly recommend taking a stroll through the garden. It has a very small entrance fee, but that shouldn’t stop you from going!
Nishinomaru Garden is also a very good place have a picnic or do sports as it is very spacious and scenic at the same time.
That’s it for Nishinomaru Garden! I hope you enjoyed this short little article. I will give you access and other useful information down below.
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In my next post I am going to cover the Wakakusayama around eastern Nara Park!
See you there!
Opening Hours & Admission Fee
- Opened from 9:00 – 17:00 (until 21:00 during Cherry Blossom season)
- Closed every Monday (or the day after if Monday is a holiday)
- Entrance fee is 200 Yen (1,64€/$1.85; exchange rate as of June 2019) (350 Yen (2,87€/$3.24) during the bonus hours for Cherry blossom season (17:00 – 21:00))
How to get to Nishinomaru Garden
Nishinomaru Garden lies right on the western side of Osaka Castle, so you basically get there the same way:
Osaka Castle Park’s main gate lies to the southwest and is called Otemon Gate. The nearest Station to this gate is Tanimachi Yonchome Station, which is a 15 minute and 230 Yen (1,86€/$2.13) ride from Osaka Station.
Alternatively, you can enter the park from the eastern side, coming from Osakajokoen (Osaka Castle Park) Station. This station is a destination of the Osaka Loop line (similar to the circular JR Yamanote Line in Tokyo (東京)). It’s a 10 minute ride for 160 Yen (1,31€/$1.48) from Osaka Station.
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