Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

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.

The first sign of spring in Osaka is the arrival of plum blossoms, and for Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Suita, this is cause for celebration. From February 7 to March 8, the park is hosting a month-long festival to accompany the blooms. The park is home to several plum groves, which showcase around 150 varieties and more than 600 trees in total, so there will be no shortage of the fragrant white, pink and red blossoms that make this time of year so picturesque. You can expect similar abundance when it comes to plum-themed festivities. From opening day and running every weekend and public holiday, the tea ceremonies at the Japanese Garden’s Senrian teahouse will pair matcha with seasonal wagashi to enjoy while overlooking the plum-framed garden. Discounted combo tickets for this with park admission are available at entrance gates on tea ceremony days. The plum product festivities then begin mid-month with the plum-wine brand Choya’s takeover. Between February 21 to 23 and 28 to March 1, they’re set up at the Natural Culture Park Waterwheel Chaya serving tasting sets of five premium plum wines as well as selling their dangerously delicious drinks. February 21–23 will also see Choya teaming up with the Osaka Agricultural Horticulture and Food Technology College to sell collaborative plum sweets from a special tent in the plum grove. In addition, between February 28 and March 1, JA Wakayama will be bringing Wakayama’s famous pickled plums for a tasting comparison and sale....

The theme of the annual Cycle Kitchen food festival at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is ‘eat and play’. You can accomplish the former by perusing the many food trucks and booths set up on the grounds to offer a diverse range of delicacies, while two concurrent events make up the ‘play’ portion. Those springtime happenings are Cycle Mode Ride, one of Japan’s largest sports-bike festivals, and Outdoor Festival, a family-friendly event centred on camping gear and outdoor recreational goods that also features live performances you can take in over pizza or a plate of steaming takoyaki. The festival itself is free to enjoy, but you have to pay to get into the park. Admission costs ¥260 for adults and ¥80 for children of junior high school age or younger.

The Expo Vintage Market is Osaka’s biggest vintage and antiques market. Held at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park’s East Square, the three-day market takes on a festival feel, with more than 150 stalls, food and drink, and live music. Weather permitting it takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn.  The market specialises in antiques, with almost a hundred stalls dedicated to finds with good old-fashioned charm – from swanky Scandinavian furniture, delicate china and glassware to Mexican Zapotec rugs and extensive collections of memorabilia and Americana. Around 30 of the stalls are for second-hand clothing, but don’t expect the kind of bulk-bought clothes you find in many vintage shops. Instead, the festival is a place for vendors who take pride in personally purchasing the pieces they sell and the price that comes with that. Speaking of money, many of the vendors do accept cards, but to be on the safe side remember to bring cash.   The variety of items available at the market is also reflected in the food and drink on offer. In between bargain hunting you can sample baked goods, pizza and burgers, or a drink from one of the craft breweries, cocktail bars or speciality coffee roasters on site.