The Best Guide to the Events at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

Numerous World’s Fairs have been held since the mid-19th century, and a couple of them were held in Japan (one was held in Osaka in 1970). After the exhibition, the site was turned into Osaka’s biggest park, where the locals can walk through woods and meadows and wade through small rivers. A couple of facilities can also be found in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park (万博記念公園), such as the landmark, the Tower of the Sun (太陽の塔), Japan Folk Crafts Museum Osaka (大阪日本民芸館), and a spacious Japanese Garden that is now a designated National Places of Scenery Beauty.

Table of Contents

• What to Do at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
• Expo ’70 Commemorative Park’s Plum Blossoms
• The Cherry Blossoms, Other Flowers, and the Fall Foliage at the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
• Expo ’70 Commemorative Park’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information

Refer to HERE for the park map.

What to Do at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

The Tower of the Sun will give you different impressions, depending on where you stand. The front face of the tower is the Face of the Sun (太陽の顔), representing the present time. When you check out the tower from its back, you will see a black face, the Black Sun (黒い太陽), symbolling the past.

You can pay to enter the Tower of the Sun to see the artwork called the Tree of Life (生命の樹). It pictures the evolutionary process of life from protists to humans.

Note that making an Advance Online Reservation is recommended, although you can also try your luck on the day. If you arrive in the morning, you might be able to secure a same-day ticket for the afternoon timeslots.

Other Must-See Spots in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

Moreover, you will find the world’s largest athletic tower and a three-dimensional maze in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. The two facilities are the best spots in the spacious park for physical and mental challenges. Of course, there are also playgrounds for young children to enjoy the day. If you like cycling, rent a bicycle and cycle through the bike path in the park.

For those who haven’t been to a World Expo, stop by the EXPO’70 Pavilion (EXPO’70パビリオン) for a feel of the event held in 1970.

For more information about the facilities in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, refer to HERE!

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park’s Plum Blossoms

Among the many trees in the park, around 680 are plum trees of 140 varieties. They can be found in the Japanese Garden and the Natural and Cultural Garden (自然文化園). The Natural and Cultural Garden is a must-visit if you are time-conscious. Not only does it have plum blossoms, but there are also pines surrounded by a bamboo grove. Why do the pines and bamboo matter? It makes the plum grove auspicious with the presence of the pines and the bamboo!

Various events are held during the Plum Blossom Expo Festival (万博公園梅まつり). Plum-flavored sweets are also on sale at various temporary stalls.

For example, the popular event, Osaka Ume no Jin (大阪梅の陣), is held by the famous brand Choya (チョーヤ). It is held on the weekends and public holidays from late February to the beginning of March at the Natural and Cultural Garden (自然文化園 水車茶屋). On weekends and public holidays during the festival period, visit the Japanese Garden’s tea house, Senri-an (千里庵). You can adore the plum blossoms at the tea house with a bowl of matcha tea and a traditional confectionery. The tea house is also where the Nagahama Bonbai Exhibition (長浜盆梅展) is held. You can see a couple of plum bonsais in the tatami-matted room.

The festival is usually held from mid-February to mid-March. In 2024, the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park Plum Blossom Festival was held from 10th of February to 10th of March. You can translate Expocity’s Official Website for a list of events held during the plum blossom season.

The Cherry Blossoms, Other Flowers, and the Fall Foliage at the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

In addition, Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is also one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Around 600 cherry trees of 120 varieties can be found there. The late blooming varieties start blossoming in mid-March, followed by the Yoshino Sakura, which takes over the scene from late March until early April. In 2024, the Sakura Expo was held from March 20 to April 7.

In autumn, many visit Expo ’70 Commemorative Park for its vivid colors. The Maple Valley and the Waterfall areas are the best spots in the park to hunt for autumn leaves. The Japanese Garden is another recommended spot for those who want to appreciate Japanese culture at the same time.

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information

Tips:
☛ Refer to Osaka Monorail’s Website for set ticket deals that cover the park’s admission fee.
☛ If you can read Japanese, refer to HERE for ticket deals on admission fees.

Discover Other Plum Blossom Spots in Osaka