A Green Oasis Away from the Buzz of Tennoji – Finding Serenity in Keitakuen Garden

A Traditional Japanese Strolling Garden Blended into the City

Keitakuen Garden is a traditional Japanese stroll garden located within Tennoji Park in Osaka’s Tennoji Ward. It was donated in 1926 during the Taisho period by the Sumitomo family, a prominent merchant family. Designed by Jihei Ogawa VII (Ueji), a leading landscape architect of the Meiji era, the garden features a central pond surrounded by artificial hills, stepping stones, bridges, and a teahouse—showcasing the harmony between natural and manmade elements.

As you walk through the garden, you will encounter scenes such as trees reflected on the pond’s surface, birds resting among the branches, and moments of being enveloped in crisp, clean air. It feels as if you have stumbled upon the quiet of a forest in the very center of the city.

The Contrast with Abeno Harukas in the Distance

Beyond the large pond, the towering Abeno Harukas skyscraper comes into view as borrowed scenery. The contrast between the urban high-rise and the tranquil Japanese landscape creates a unique atmosphere, offering a surprising moment of calm in the heart of the city.

Experiencing the Spirit of Tea at Choseian Teahouse

The garden also features Choseian, a teahouse built using dismantled materials donated by the Sumitomo family. These historic materials have been carefully reused, allowing visitors to sense the spirit of the tea ceremony in a space full of character. (Reservations are required to use the teahouse. During regular hours, the exterior can be enjoyed.)

Easy to Access, Enjoyable Year-Round

Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM)
In May and September, open until 6:00 PM on weekends and holidays.

Closed days: Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday), and December 29 – January 1

Admission:
Adults: ¥300
University and high school students: ¥200
Children (junior high and younger): Free
A combined admission ticket with the neighboring Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts is also available.

Access: About a 5-minute walk from JR or Osaka Metro Tennoji Station

A Garden You’ll Want to Visit Again and Again

• Enjoy seasonal flowers, autumn foliage, and blossoms floating on the water—each season brings a different beauty.

• Amid tourists and locals relaxing in the garden, you can find your own quiet moment.

• Just a short walk away is the lively Tennoji area, allowing you to experience the contrast between the city’s energy and the garden’s calm.
  
  
  

Conclusion: A Quiet Japanese Garden in the City

Keitakuen Garden is located in the lively Tennoji district, yet it leaves a lingering sense of peace, like a hidden retreat in the city. While Abeno Harukas looms in the distance, the garden surrounds you with greenery and water, offering a pleasant dissonance that soothes the mind.

Simple experiences like walking, resting, and enjoying the scenery resonate with each visitor in their own way. As part of your journey through the city, take a moment to pause in this peaceful Japanese garden—you may discover a quiet space within yourself, and a deeper sense of awareness.