Eastern Osaka

The east side of Osaka Prefecture is home to several worthwhile destinations. Highlights include Hirakata Park, a locally popular amusement park, Konosuke Matsushita Museum, which is dedicated to the founder of the Matsushita Corporation (Panasonic), and Mt Ikoma, a scenic spot on the Osaka-Nara border.

[View from Ikoma over Osaka]

The east side of Osaka Prefecture (Osaka-fu in Japanese) has two parts. On the north side, it’s a flat plain filled with industrial developments and suburban bedroom communities. The private Keihan Line traverses this area and stops near two of its most interesting attractions: Hirakata Park and the Konosuke Matsushita Musuem.

Further south, where Osaka Prefecture meets Nara Prefecture, the region is more mountainous. This area is traversed by the private Kintetsu Nara Line, which stops near Mt Ikoma, a mountain that offers beautiful views of both Osaka and Nara, especially in the evening.

Eastern Osaka Highlights

• Mt Ikoma
• Hirakata Park

[Hirakata Park: Taka-DAI / Shutterstock.com]

Things To See And Do In Eastern Osaka

• Hirakata Park (amusement park)
  A short walk from Hirakata Station on the Keihan Kyoto Line, this popular amusement park is a great alternative to the pricier and often more crowded Universal Studios Japan (Hirakata Park costs about half as much as USJ). Hirakata Park has all the rides you’d expect from a large amusement park, including roller coasters etc.
• Konosuke Matsushita Museum (museum)
  For those with an interest in electronics and Japan’s industrial history, a visit to the Konosuke Matsushita Museum in Moriguchi City is highly recommended. Matsushita founded the famous Matsushita Corporation, which is better known as Panasonic.

[Mt Ikoma: funny face / Shutterstock.com]

• Mt Ikoma (mountain)
  A 642-meter mountain straddling the border of Osaka and Nara prefectures, Mt Ikoma offers some of the best and most easily accessible views over the region.

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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