Nakanoshima Park
Nakanoshima and Kitahama, Osaka
Source: osaka-info.jp, checked 13 Oct 2026.
Osaka's first city park, opened in 1891 on a strip of land between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers. It runs about 1.5 km and covers 10.6 hectares, and the rose garden holds roughly 3,700 plants of about 310 varieties.
Insider tip
Free and open at all times. The roses peak in mid-May and mid-October. It's right outside Yodoyabashi Station, and exit 1 of Kitahama Station is another way in.
What the guides say about Nakanoshima Park
The strip between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers holds Nakanoshima Park, Osaka's first city park from 1891, which is open at all times. Along it stand the red-brick Osaka City Central Public Hall and the domed Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library, both from the early 1900s. The Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka and the National Museum of Art, Osaka are here too. Read the Nakanoshima and Kitahama guide.
Nakanoshima and Kitahama has the river, Nakanoshima Park and three museums. Osaka Castle works if the park is your priority, since Osaka Castle Park is open at all times. Both have fewer restaurants than Namba or Umeda, so check the map before you book.
What's on at Nakanoshima Park
Upcoming events at Nakanoshima Park and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Osaka events calendar.
Nakanoshima Art Lights 2026
NAKANOSHIMA ART LIGHTS 2026 ～水辺を巡る、光の芸術～
Time 18:00 to 22:00
Light installations run from the rose garden to the Hanshin Expressway overpass, including suspended light orbs, rose-bouquet pieces that light the roses when touched, a projected pattern on Barazono Bridge and a light-and-mist piece. On 23 to 25 October a lit hot-air balloon (19:00 to 21:30), three live sets a night from 18:20 of jazz, R&B and soul, and a wine bar are added on the lawn plaza. Admission is free with no reservation. The lights go ahead in rain but may be moved or switched off in severe weather, and the balloon can be cancelled for rain or wind.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Christmas Commons
Christmas Commons（大阪来てな！）
Time 17:00 to 22:00
A winter market in Nakanoshima Park described by the organisers as bringing together art, craft, fashion, food and drink, music and talks. Admission is free with no reservation, and the detailed programme was still to be announced. It runs alongside the OSAKA Hikari Renaissance lights.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Nakanoshima Rose Garden, Spring Bloom
中之島公園 バラ園（春）
Station Yodoyabashi (Midosuji Line, Keihan) or Naniwabashi (Keihan Nakanoshima Line)
About 3,700 plants of 310 varieties bloom in the rose garden on Nakanoshima, a park open at all times. The city gives late April to late May as the spring season. The 2027 dates haven't been announced yet.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Nakanoshima Rose Garden, Autumn Bloom
中之島公園 バラ園（秋）
Station Yodoyabashi (Midosuji Line, Keihan) or Naniwabashi (Keihan Nakanoshima Line)
The autumn roses bloom from early October to early November. The park is open at all times. The exact dates haven't been announced yet.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Light Marche
OSAKA光のルネサンス2026 ライトマルシェ
Time 16:00 to 22:00
A market held around Naniwabashi Station during the Hikari Renaissance lights.
Smaller local events nearby
Jazzcalabash presents GREEN APPLE JAZZ Performance
Sun 25 Oct · Kodomo no Hon no Mori Nakanoshima
A jazz event presented by Jazzcalabash at the Nakanoshima library with sessions at 15:30 and 17:30.
15:30 and 17:30 · Map · Source: Kodomo no Hon no Mori Nakanoshima · Jazzcalabash presents「GREEN APPLE JAZZ」
The Witch's Bookshelf: Open the Magic Passport Festival
Sat 31 Oct · Kodomo no Hon no Mori Nakanoshima
A Halloween event at the Nakanoshima library with sessions at 15:30 and 17:30.
15:30 and 17:30 · Map · Source: Kodomo no Hon no Mori Nakanoshima · 魔女の本棚 －魔法のパスポートをひらこう－
Nearby
Around Nakanoshima and Kitahama
Brick halls, stone libraries and bridges across the river in the middle of town
Nakanoshima is a strip of land between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers, and Osaka's first city park opened there in 1891. Most of its buildings are old civic ones or museums. Kitahama on the south bank has a surviving merchant house and a 1912 building with a tea room.
Nakanoshima and Kitahama has 12 places on the Roam Osaka map: 5 landmarks, 4 museums, 1 park or garden, 1 cafe and 1 bar. Read the Nakanoshima and Kitahama guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Nakanoshima Park?
- 1 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka (in Japanese: 大阪府大阪市北区中之島1).
- How do I get to Nakanoshima Park?
- The nearest station is Yodoyabashi (Midosuji Line, Keihan) / Kitahama (Sakaisuji Line, Keihan). Nakanoshima Park is in Nakanoshima and Kitahama, Osaka.
- How much does Nakanoshima Park cost?
- Nothing. Nakanoshima Park is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Nakanoshima Park?
- Plan for 1 hour.
- When is the best time to visit Nakanoshima Park?
- Mid-May or mid-October for the roses.
Stay near Nakanoshima Park
Browse live availability and compare prices around Nakanoshima and Kitahama.
See hotels near Nakanoshima Park on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 24 October. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Osaka earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.