Osaka Prefectural Hana no Bunkaen (大阪府立花の文化園) in Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, will hold the special evening opening event "Bamboo Lights and Autumn Leaves Illumination" (竹あかりと紅葉のライトアップ) on four days only: November 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun), and December 5 (Sat) and 6 (Sun), 2026. The event, which first took place in 2017, marks its 10th edition this year.
About 120 maples of roughly 20 varieties, including Iroha-momiji, Yama-momiji, Nomura-momiji, and Itaya-kaede, grow throughout the garden and are lit by about 40 lights. About 200 handmade bamboo lanterns (takeakari) light the ground along the paths, and brightly colored Japanese umbrellas (wagasa) add to the scenery.
Highlights of This Year's Event
- The 10th edition expands the illumination to four days.
- Visitors who bring a bamboo lantern they made at the November 15 workshop can enter in the evening for free.
- A limited evening menu and festival-style food are available, including a limited-quantity "Autumn Leaf Viewing Bento" and glowing cotton candy.
- Junior high school students and younger enter free, as during the day.
Make a Bamboo Lantern on November 15 for Free Evening Admission
Ahead of the illumination, a "Bamboo Lantern Making" (竹あかりづくり) workshop will be held on Sunday, November 15, as part of "Kansai Culture Day" (関西文化の日), when admission to the garden is free for everyone. Visitors who bring the lantern they made to one of the illumination evenings can enter the evening opening for free.
Guests who enter the garden during the day on the same day can also enter the evening opening at no charge by showing their daytime admission receipt.
Event Details
- Event name: Bamboo Lights and Autumn Leaves Illumination (竹あかりと紅葉のライトアップ)
- Dates: November 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun), December 5 (Sat) and 6 (Sun), 2026
- Hours: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (last entry 7:30 PM). The garden closes at 5:00 PM after regular hours and reopens at 5:30 PM as a special evening opening.
- In case of bad weather: The event is canceled in severe weather. Any cancellation will be announced on the official website by 12:00 PM (noon) the day before.
- Evening admission: ¥300 for adults and high school students
- Junior high school students and younger: free, as during the day. Visitors who entered during the day on the same day can enter in the evening with their receipt.
- Visitors who bring a "bamboo lantern" made at the November 15 workshop: free
- As during the day, visitors with a disability certificate and one caregiver: free
- Dogs: Dogs are not allowed in the garden in the evening.
Pre-Event Workshop: Bamboo Lantern Making
- Event name: Kansai Culture Day "Bamboo Lantern Making" (関西文化の日 「竹あかりづくり」)
- Organizer: NPO法人フルル花と福祉の地域応援ネット DIYグループ
- Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026 (admission to the garden is free for everyone that day as part of Kansai Culture Day)
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (last reception 2:00 PM)
- Location: Craft Room (工芸室) in "Hana no Kobo" (花の工房), inside Hana no Bunkaen
- Fee: ¥600
- Capacity: 30 people (reservation required; walk-ins are also accepted if seats are available)
- Reservations: Through the event reservation platform こくちーず or by phone at 0721-63-8739
Momijidani (Maple Valley)
Momijidani opened in 2004 as an area the staff built by hand over the course of a year. About 100 maples and about 30 rhododendrons were planted at the time.
Japanese Umbrellas Along the Paths
Japanese umbrellas decorate spots from the large flower bed to Momijidani, creating a Japanese atmosphere.
Paper Lanterns
Hand-held paper lanterns are sold at the Hanabun Shop beside the entrance gate for ¥500. Their petal pattern is cast on the ground at your feet.
Evening Food and Drinks
The cafe on the 2nd floor of the large greenhouse also stays open in the evening. The special evening menu is as follows.
- Autumn Leaf Viewing Bento (紅葉狩り弁当, loco moco rice bowl): ¥1,500 (limited quantity)
- Zakuuma Chicken, a large Taiwanese-style fried chicken: ¥600
- Maple Leaf Latte: ¥500
- Maple Leaf Fondant Chocolat: ¥700
- Maple Leaf Soft Serve: ¥450
- Glowing Cotton Candy: ¥500
Kitchen Cars
- 和芯: A kitchen car run by an Okinawan restaurant, serving hot Okinawa soba.
- 36キッチン: A kitchen car selling baby castella and other snacks to enjoy on an evening stroll.
Parking
The parking lot in front of Hana no Bunkaen normally costs ¥500 per vehicle, but it is free during the evening opening for convenience at night.
Venue Information
Besides the rose garden, clematis garden, Christmas rose garden, and other gardens with seasonal flowers, the garden has a large greenhouse with attractions throughout the year.
- Address: 2292-1 Takamuku, Kawachinagano City, Osaka Prefecture (〒586-0036)
- Phone: 0721-63-8739
- Regular hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November)
- Closed: Mondays (the following day if Monday is a national holiday)
- Daytime admission (tax included): Adults ¥580, high school students ¥290
- Parking: Michi-no-Eki "Okukawachi Kuromaro no Sato" (道の駅「奥河内くろまろの郷」), 300 spaces, free. The lot in front of Hana no Bunkaen has about 80 spaces at ¥500 per vehicle (with a coupon usable inside the garden, subject to conditions), and is free during this event.
- Access by car: 20 minutes from Mihara-kita IC (southbound) on the Hanwa Expressway
- Access by train and bus: From Kawachinagano Station on the Nankai Koya Line or Kintetsu Nagano Line, take a Nankai Bus from bus stop 6 in front of the station, get off at the "Okukawachi Kuromaro no Sato" stop, and walk 10 minutes.
- Official website: https://hanabun-osaka.witc-pm.jp/
