Early Color Comes to Expo ’70 Park
Before Osaka’s autumn leaves change, Expo ’70 Park bursts into color with 150,000 cosmos flowers and 3,600 crimson kochia plants. Discover a picture-perfect seasonal escape at one of the city’s most celebrated parks.
Color arrives early at Expo ’70 Park. While Osaka’s maples and ginkgos are still dressed in summer green, Flower Hill is already glowing with waves of pink cosmos and brilliant red kochia. The combination creates a striking preview of the season’s colors, offering photographers, nature lovers, and anyone eager for a change of scenery a picture-perfect reason to explore one of Osaka’s most beloved parks.
The annual Cosmos & Kochia Festa returns October 3–30, 2026, transforming the park’s Natural and Cultural Gardens into a spectacular autumn landscape. Approximately 150,000 cosmos flowers spread across the hillside, accompanied by 3,600 kochia plants that turn vivid crimson as temperatures cool. This year’s display also features delicate pink muhly grass and red buckwheat, adding even more color to the seasonal panorama.
The cosmos alone are worth the journey. Delicate pink and white blossoms sway in the autumn breeze, while bright yellow and orange varieties bring unexpected warmth to the landscape. Nearby, the rounded kochia plants create a completely different impression. Soft, fluffy, and almost comically spherical, they change from fresh green to deep red as the season progresses, creating one of the park’s most distinctive photographic subjects.
Part of the experience is simply getting there. Flower Hill lies within the park’s expansive gardens, and the walk passes through stretches of greenery that feel surprisingly removed from the surrounding city. For the 2026 festival, an imaginative art installation by artist duo PRO turns the approach into a playful journey, with caterpillar-inspired markers leading visitors toward the flowers. It’s a charming introduction to the colorful hillside waiting at the end of the path, where the unusual red kochia and flower-filled slopes provide plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs.
Beyond the flower fields, selected festival days bring a little extra life to Flower Hill. Small food markets showcase local baked goods and picnic treats, while hands-on workshops invite visitors to create art inspired by the surrounding colors. Families may encounter playful bubble-making activities, and occasional outdoor music performances add to the relaxed atmosphere. The program changes each year, but the flowers remain the stars of the show. See SCHEDULE below for activity dates, times, and details.
And there’s plenty of reason to make a full day of it. Expo ’70 Park is home to the unmistakable Tower of the Sun, expansive lawns, gardens, and walking paths, while neighboring EXPOCITY offers shopping, restaurants, and attractions such as NIFREL, the immersive living museum. From colorful flower fields to one of Osaka’s most recognizable landmarks, followed by an afternoon of shopping or dining, the Cosmos & Kochia Festa makes a beautiful starting point for an autumn day out.
Color Before the Leaves Change — Discover a hillside of pink, white, orange, and crimson while Osaka’s autumn foliage is weeks away.
150,000 Cosmos in Bloom — Waves of flowers transform Flower Hill into one of Expo ’70 Park’s most photogenic landscapes.
3,600 Crimson Kochia — Fluffy, rounded plants turn brilliant red, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding flower fields.
More Than Flowers — Food markets, creative workshops, bubble activities, and outdoor performances add charm on selected days.
A Picture-Perfect Day Out — Explore the Tower of the Sun, wander the gardens, and enjoy shopping, dining, or NIFREL at EXPOCITY.
Image Credit: Expo ’70 Park official website & Instagram, Japan Scenes
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN OSAKA?
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Maps
Contact
Opening Hours
THE SCENE: FAQ’s
ACCESS
Venue: Expo ’70 Commemorative Park — Flower Hill (花の丘), Natural and Cultural Gardens
Address: 1-1 Senribanpakukoen, Suita, Osaka 565-0826
Trains
- Hankyu Senri Line: Yamada Station → Osaka Monorail → Bampaku-kinen-koen Station.
- JR Osaka Station: JR Kyoto Line → Shin-Osaka Station → Osaka Metro Midosuji Line/Kita-Osaka Kyuko → Senri-Chuo Station → Osaka Monorail → Bampaku-kinen-koen Station.
Subways
- Osaka Metro Midosuji Line: Namba, Umeda, or Shin-Osaka → Senri-Chuo Station (through service onto Kita-Osaka Kyuko) → Osaka Monorail → Bampaku-kinen-koen Station.
- Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line: Higashi-Umeda → Dainichi Station → Osaka Monorail → Bampaku-kinen-koen Station.
Walking Directions
From Bampaku-kinen-koen Station, exit the ticket gates and turn left. Follow the pedestrian route past NIFREL and across the footbridge to Expo ’70 Park’s Central Gate (approximately 5 minutes).
After entering the park, follow signs toward Flower Hill (花の丘), located in the western section of the Natural and Cultural Gardens. Allow additional time for the walk across the expansive park grounds.
For an easier journey, the park operates a Mori no Train service from the Central Gate to Nishi-Oji Plaza, approximately 3 minutes on foot from Flower Hill. A direct park taxi between the Central Gate and Flower Hill is also available during the 2026 festival. Both services cost ¥500 one way for visitors aged 13 and older and ¥350 for children aged 3 through elementary school.
◷ FROM CENTRAL OSAKA
Namba: Approximately 45–55 minutes by subway and monorail to Bampaku-kinen-koen Station.
Osaka-Umeda: Approximately 35–45 minutes by subway and monorail to Bampaku-kinen-koen Station.
Allow additional time to reach Flower Hill after entering the park.
Official Access Information:
https://www.expo70-park.jp/guide/access/
2026 Festival Transportation Details:
https://www.expo70-park.jp/event/77306/
SCHEDULE
Festival Dates: October 3–30, 2026
Hours: 9:30–17:00
Last Admission: 16:30
Closed Days: None during the festival
Seasonal Activities — 2026
Autumn Petit Marché (秋のおいしいプチマルシェ)
- October 25: 11:00–15:00
- Small food market featuring baked goods, sweets, and picnic treats from local Hokusetsu businesses.
Yorimichi Kitchen Garden (よりみちキッチンガーデン)
- October 20, 22–25: 10:00–16:00
- Rotating food and drink vendors near the kochia display.
Bubble Play on Flower Hill
- October 24–25: 9:30–16:30
- Hands-on bubble-making activities for families.
Pastel Art Workshop
- October 25: 10:00–15:00
- Create artwork inspired by the cosmos and kochia using colorful pastels.
Snap Drink — Personalized Souvenir
- October 24: 12:00–16:00
- Turn a favorite photograph into a personalized beverage-can label.
Outdoor Wind Ensemble Performance
- October 25: Approximately 15:30
- An informal performance by members of the Hirano Wind Orchestra.
Throughout the Festival
Caterpillar Pathway Art Installation
- October 3–30
- An imaginative outdoor artwork along the approach to Flower Hill.
Festival-Exclusive Drinks
- October 3–30
- Seasonal strawberry and mango drinks at NUGGET NUGGET and WEST.
Activities may change or be canceled due to weather. Food and workshop availability varies by date, and some activities require additional fees.
Official Schedule:
https://www.expo70-park.jp/event/77306/
ADMISSION
Adults (High School Age and Older): ¥450
Junior High School Students and Younger: Free
Festival Admission: No additional charge beyond regular park admission.
Additional Fees: Some workshops, food markets, and activities require separate payment.
Tickets: Available at Expo ’70 Park entrance gates. Advance reservations are not required for general park admission.
Official Admission Information:
https://www.expo70-park.jp/guide/price/
THE EXPERIENCE
Cosmos & Kochia Festa offers more than a colorful hillside. From seasonal photography to creative activities and local treats, Expo ’70 Park invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the changing scenery.
- Explore Flower Hill: Wander among approximately 150,000 cosmos flowers and 3,600 kochia plants, with pink, white, orange, and crimson colors across the landscape.
- Discover the Seasonal Plantings: Look for yellow cosmos, feathery pink muhly grass, and red buckwheat flowers alongside the festival’s two headline attractions.
- Follow the Caterpillar’s Journey: The 2026 art installation （むしくい）の園路, created by artist duo PRO, brings a playful caterpillar story to the pathway leading toward Flower Hill.
- Enjoy Local Food and Drinks: Selected festival days feature the Autumn Petit Marché and Yorimichi Kitchen Garden, offering baked goods, picnic treats, and refreshments.
- Join a Seasonal Activity: Depending on the date, visitors can enjoy bubble-making, pastel art workshops, personalized photo souvenirs, and informal outdoor music performances. See SCHEDULE above for details.
- Make a Day of It: Visit the Tower of the Sun, explore the park’s gardens, and continue to neighboring EXPOCITY for shopping, dining, and NIFREL.
The flowers are the main attraction, but the combination of open space, seasonal activities, and nearby attractions makes this an easy half-day excursion—or the beginning of a full day exploring Expo ’70 Park.
INFO & TIPS
Best Time to Visit: Cosmos and kochia reach their peak at different times, depending on weather and temperature. Check the park’s latest flowering reports before visiting.
Flowering Updates:
https://www.expo70-park.jp/flower/
Photography: Flower Hill offers sweeping views of the cosmos and kochia. Stay on designated paths, respect photography restrictions, and avoid entering planted areas, particularly the delicate pink muhly grass.
Weather: Most activities take place outdoors. Rain or strong winds may affect workshops, markets, and performances. Check the official festival page for updates.
Getting Around: Flower Hill is a considerable walk from the Central Gate. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the grounds. Paid internal transportation may be available; check current operating details before visiting.
Food & Refreshments: Food vendors operate on selected dates, with festival-exclusive drinks available at designated park outlets. Bringing a picnic is another option, subject to park rules.
EXPOCITY: The shopping and entertainment complex is located outside the park near Bampaku-kinen-koen Station. It offers restaurants, shops, and attractions including NIFREL.
Accessibility: Expo ’70 Park provides barrier-free facilities and accessible routes, although distances between attractions can be substantial. Check the park’s accessibility information when planning your visit.
Official Park Guide:
https://www.expo70-park.jp/guide/
