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Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

  • Things to do
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Time Out says

The Osaka World Expo in 1970 was the first world’s fair to be held in Asia and it turned out to be a great success. The event took place in the hills of Senri outside of the city of Osaka and featured 77 countries and regions, with more than 64 million people visiting during its six-month run. Today, the Expo site is preserved as Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, where you can explore the legacy and history of the event as well as visit museums such as the Japan Folk Crafts Museum and the National Museum of Ethnology.

One of the highlights is the Tower of the Sun, an installation by the avant-garde artist Taro Okamoto. About 70m tall, it was built as part of the theme pavilion for the 1970 Expo and was open to visitors during the event, after which it was closed for renovations. However, it reopened in 2018 and you can now enter the tower on tours (priority for those with advance reservations; ¥720, ¥310 for children of elementary and junior high school age, in addition to the park entrance fee of ¥260/¥80). Inside, you can see the 41m-tall ‘Tree of Life’ installation, which was designed by Okamoto and tells the story of evolution.

The park also encompasses an expansive Japanese garden and the Rose Garden for Peace.

Details

Address
Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita
Osaka
Transport:
Banpaku Kinen Koen Station (Osaka Monorail Main, Saito lines); Koen-Higashiguchi Station (Osaka Monorail Saito line)
Opening hours:
9.30am-5pm / closed Wed (Thu if Wed is a holiday)

What’s on

Expo Garage Sale

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is home to two of Osaka’s most popular and best-attended flea markets, one in its Festival Square and one in its East Square. The Expo Garage Sale is noted for the wide range of goods its vendors sell. Expect handmade items, accessories, antiques, bric-a-brac, and plenty of second-hand and vintage clothes.  Most importantly, expect bargains. The organisers pride themselves on the market being a true-to-its-name ‘out of the garage’ sale. That means you’ll need to bring cash, and that bargaining – albeit politely – is encouraged. If you prioritise low prices over being particular about the products, know that in the afternoon, the crowding calms down and many of the amateur vendors lower their prices.  The market also attracts food trucks, and the park has several cafés and restaurants so there are plenty of options for a picnic in the park. The Expo Garage Sale takes place up to three times a month but on irregular dates and is subject to weather conditions, so make sure to check the website for an up-to-date schedule.
  • Markets and fairs

Hydrangea Festival at Expo '70 Commemorative Park

Just before summer rolls in, Osaka will experience a brief period of rainy days. But don’t let that dampen your spirits, as this is exactly when the city’s hydrangeas bloom in their multi-coloured glory. Nestled in the northwest corner of the expansive Natural and Cultural Gardens at Expo '70 Commemorative Park, the gorgeous Hydrangea Forest was renovated just last year. It now boasts roughly 50 varieties of hydrangeas in a spectacular array of vivid hues.  During the festival, you can also check out two site-specific installations that double as photo spots. The ‘Forest Palette’ features a circular formation with vibrant ribbons radiating from a central tower. Meanwhile, ‘Graffiti Street’ is more interactive. Here, you are encouraged to write down messages on colourful stickers and affix them to large boards adorned with outlines of rainbows and hydrangeas, ultimately transforming the displays into a collaborative work of mosaic art. You can check the hydrangeas’ blooming status here before you go. Do note that the Natural and Cultural Gardens requires an admission fee of ¥450 for adults and high school students.
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