【Osaka】 Natural Arts! Let’s go enjoy fresh green leaves in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park.
“Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park” is located in the former site of the “Japan World Exposition” held back in 1970. There is “Tower of the Sun”; the symbol object of the park, wide varieties of trees and flowers and activity centers in a site as large as 260 ha (approximately).
Given that it is now the best season for fresh green leaves in Japan, we will tell you about 3 recommended spots in the park where you can fully enjoy nature.
1. Sorado (Aerial Promenade)
Aerial promenade to observe the woods on wooden deck that are between 3 to10m above the ground. You will be able to observe the grown-up 40 years old woods from various angles and learn about its size and ecology. Also enjoy a magnificent view from the top of 19m observation tower. (Full length 300m, width 1.2m)
Along the road, you will fine various “tricks” awaiting for you to further enjoy nature including the “sundial” to know time using your own shadow and the “kaleido scope of the woods” that allows you to observe the woods through a kaleido scope.
Sound Collector of the woods
Sit down on a bench and you will be able to hear sounds in the nature including whispers of birds, sounds of wind, singing of insects. Something that you don’t usually easily notice in cities.
Colorful Tunnel (Iro-no tunnel)
Here, there are 3 screens of different colors set up. Look at the scenery through each screen and everything will look completely differently. For example, if you use the smoky grey screen, the scenery you are looking at is what spiders are seeing.
2. Momiji River Lawns (Momiji-gawa Shibafu Hiroba)
If you want to take it easy and relax on lawn, head to “Momiji River Lawn”. It is a wide open space and often used for various events. That will be also a good idea to take a picnic sheet and lunch box and have a picnic there.
3. Japanese Garden
A magnificent Japanese garden in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. This is exactly what is called natural art created by human. Initially, the garden was developed back in 1970 when the world expo was held to introduce people from around the world the gardening techniques that Japanese craftsmen had and also to offer people resting and gathering area surrounded by nature. The garden is divided into 4 parts each showing different time period between 8th and 19th century.
Suhama (from the 12th to the 16th century)
Two streams from the spring separates into north and south, meet again and flow into the pond together. This is a water flow from river to the ocean.
Shinji-ike Pond
A pond as large as 11,000 ㎢. If you look down at the pond from strait above, it looks like a Japanese kanji character “心 (mind)”.
Lotus Pond
When early summer arrives, approximately 1,200 bulbs of lotus with 26 varieties of types as well as approximately 1,000 bulbs of water lily with 7 varieties of types start to bloom all over the pond. With blooming of the flowers, an event called “Early Morning Lotus Viewing” is held.
Black pines
The beautiful black pine trees as if they were in a piece of art were planted where they can be observed from the central rest area in the Japanese garden. To keep them in good shape, they are taken care of every year by craftsmen using the traditional trimming techniques.
Basic information on [Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park]
