A new urban green space is taking shape in the heart of Osaka. "Umekita Forest" — a roughly 0.9-hectare section of the Umekita Park North Park (Post-Phase Construction Zone) within the Grand Green Osaka development — is scheduled to open on Friday, November 20, 2026. The opening comes ahead of the full park completion planned for spring 2027.
Grand Green Osaka held its first preview opening in September 2024 and the South Wing grand opening in March 2025, welcoming a cumulative total of approximately 28 million visitors to date.
Overview of Umekita Forest
Background
The Umekita area sits on the lowland of the Osaka Plain, shaped over centuries by sediment carried by the Yodo River and other waterways. It was once a wetland, later transformed into farmland, and then occupied by the Umeda Freight Yard for approximately 85 years. Umekita Forest aims to regenerate this land as an "urban forest," restoring ecosystem networks and supporting the well-being of people living in the city.
Location and Spatial Features
Umekita Forest is located in the western section of the North Park, designed to complement the more active, lawn-and-event-space South Park. Inspired by Osaka's history as a "water city," the park features approximately 1,400 square meters of water features including a waterfall about 10 meters wide and 3 meters high. The full 350-meter "Hirameki no Michi" (Path of Inspiration) connecting the north and south districts will also open, improving circulation across the entire Umekita area.
Planting Plan
The forest's planting plan is designed to evoke Japan's four seasons year-round:
- A new cherry blossom destination featuring 23 trees across 6 varieties (including Edohigan, Yamazakura, and Oshima Cherry)
- Autumn foliage trees such as maples and Katsura, along with Japanese flowering plants like Iris and Azalea
- Native vegetation (satoyama flora) from the Uemachi Plateau and surrounding hills to reflect Osaka's local character
- Deciduous trees suited to riverside environments — including Hackberry and Aphananthe — to express the concept of Osaka's naturally fertile, water-rich land
The planting breakdown for the opening area includes: 165 tall trees (22 species), approximately 3,000 square meters of shrub planting (83 species), approximately 2,600 square meters of lawn, and aquatic plants such as Iris ensata, Iris laevigata, and Lythrum salicaria.
Biodiversity Initiatives
With the global loss of biodiversity and climate change recognized as pressing challenges, the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework set international targets for nature recovery and nature-positive outcomes in all spaces, including urban areas, by 2030.
Umekita Park has established 56 target species (birds and insects) based on ecological surveys of the Yodo River and Osaka Castle Park, with the park environment designed to support their habitats. As of now, 30 of those target species (10 bird species and 20 insect species) have already been observed. The completion of Umekita Forest is expected to further strengthen the ecological network in central Osaka. Ongoing biological monitoring will track how target species establish themselves over time.
Well-Being Initiatives
Landscape Effects
Surrounded by approximately 3-meter-high landform stone walls, with waterfalls, ponds, aquatic plants, and diverse natural features, Umekita Forest naturally screens out surrounding sights and sounds. The calls of wildlife and rustling of trees create a calming environment where visitors can reset both body and mind — even while standing just steps from JR Osaka Station.
Services for Visitors
The park's operator is expanding its existing rental services and participatory program "Umekita PUBLIC SCOOP" into Umekita Forest, giving visitors opportunities to practice daily well-being and experience biodiversity firsthand. A new community engagement initiative called "MIDORI CLUB" will also launch, supporting citizens and visitors who wish to take a more active role in caring for and enlivening the park.
Innovation Initiatives
Situated at a crossroads of diverse foot traffic and environmental conditions right in front of JR Osaka Station, Umekita Forest also serves as a live testing ground for coexistence between urban functions and natural environments. The innovation hub JAMBASE already has more than 400 companies and approximately 1,800 people using its facilities.
Under this framework, U-FINO (Umekita Future Innovation Organization) is conducting social implementation experiments for award-winning proposals from the XKANSAI Social Innovation Program — a collaboration between local governments, businesses, and startups aimed at solving social challenges. One planned initiative focuses on extending healthy lifespans and improving quality of life. The park space will be used as a demonstration field for both social problem-solving and new industry creation.
MIDORI Partners
The management and operations of Grand Green Osaka are supported by 28 "MIDORI Partners" (as of April 2026) — companies that share the project's sustainable values and co-creation philosophy. As part of this initiative, a sustainable experiential event "MIDORI FES. 2026" is planned for May 2 through 4, 2026, organized jointly by the park management association and MIDORI Partners.
New Dining Facility
A new dining venue, "AOI NAPOLI OMBRA (tentative name)" by Balnibarbi Co., Ltd., is set to open within the park. The Italian café-restaurant, centered around wood-fired pizza, will take full advantage of the park's lush green setting. The menu will feature local Osaka ingredients (including honey) and takeout options, creating a rich park-going experience through the changing seasons.
Development Timeline
- September 6, 2024: First preview opening
- March 21, 2025: South Wing grand opening
- December 9, 2025: North residential tower (GRAND GREEN OSAKA the North Residence) completed
- November 20, 2026: Umekita Forest opening (approximately 9,000 sq m of the North Park)
- At this point, approximately 90% of Grand Green Osaka overall will be open
- Spring 2027: Full park opening (remaining approximately 1,400 sq m)
- FY2027: Full development opening
