Nagai Botanical Garden, Osaka
The gardens were built in Nagai Park in 1974, which is in the south part of Osaka. There are over 1,000 trees which is its primary focus, but also has major seasonal floral installations.And that's all the info I have! Wiki fail, people.
Anyways it was a last-minute thought to go, and since fall had been delayed so much this year, I took a gamble that there would still be blooms (the website has a current bloom list that I found out researching for this post). It was a good gamble.
The Arrival
I took the Midosuji subway line south to Nagai station. It's about a 25 minute ride from Osaka station, and interesting to navigate their subways for a foreigner. Google maps actually worked pretty well for telling me where and when to be for trains/connections.I then walked across the park, which is pretty large and took a bit of time. I actually arrived before opening time and waited around a few minutes at the ticket booth.
Floral Things
First, I think I should focus on the flowers and not make you go through everything to just see them (like some places do). The whole area is kinda centered around the middle lake which is definitely a focal point of the gardens.Trees and Art
Now, this was the best spot I found in 3 cities for fall colors on trees. I just didn't have time to wait until December when it looked like they might change. Also there are a lot of art displays around the grounds, which are quite expansive.You can really get your walk on here.
A mixed bed of flowers, for visual pleasure
Ornamental grasses are very popular here and the pink muhly was in full force
The dahlias were doing quite well in mid-November
Ahh, the rose garden was in great form with all bushes blooming still
The western centerpiece of the rose garden
By any other name still smells as sweet, and photographs as well
The climbing roses are what I am trying to keep alive at home in my garden
A huge sea of cosmos that was very nice feast for the eyes
Personally, I have never understood the attraction to marigolds, bad fragrance, rough petals, shrug
Over 3 weeks, the best fall shot I could find.
Your framed entrance to the gardens drawing you in
Lost in a forest of bamboo
The east shore of the central lake
The fish know when you are here, showing they can be trained
I've seen this movie before, so I will leave these 'eggs' alone
Walking through wooded lands on soft trails
Interesting art installations scattered around the garden
Summary
Really nice gardens, with features that are changed seasonally. A very large space with very purposely designed paths as one would expect in Japan. There are some hidden delights for you to discover. Use the website (if you can read Japanese or have a translator) to learn the state of the gardens every week.When the reality of "Japanese City Life" becomes a little too much to bear, head out to this space for some serenity and fragrant plants.