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Roses are loved all over the world. There are said to be over 40,000 varieties, and the appeal is that you can enjoy them all year round, from spring roses to autumn roses. In fact, rose gardens where you can encounter many such roses are scattered throughout Osaka Prefecture. At the time of this interview, it was November, the season when autumn roses are at their most beautiful. We toured the rose gardens with Daichi Aoyagi, known as the Rose Prince, who is full of love for roses.
Guide
Originally from Kagawa Prefecture, he enrolled in an agricultural high school with a strong soccer team, but when he went around town selling flowers he had grown from seeds in his practical training, he was able to make an adult woman smile. This convinced him that "flowers are the thing in the world that can make people smile more than anything else," and he became obsessed with the charm of flowers.
She went on to a vocational school to study flower arrangement, and after graduating she worked at a flower shop.
Later, at the age of 22, she founded ILOVEYOU Co., Ltd., a company that produces important moments in life with romantic roses, with the goal of "creating moments that make women smile."
"Roses are the only flower that have over 100 different meanings. That's why there are so many stories to choose from when it comes to who to give them to and how," she says. Her favorite flower meaning is "I will love you no matter how many times I'm reborn," as expressed by 144 roses.
A rose garden in an amusement park?! A historic rose garden that opened in 1955
First, head to Hirakata Park, said to be Japan's oldest continuously operating amusement park (established in 1912). This park is famous for its chrysanthemum dolls in the fall, but the Great Rose Garden was created in 1955 so that visitors could enjoy the blessings of flowers in the spring as well. Okamoto Kanjiro, Japan's leading rose expert, apparently collected roses from all over the world, including Europe, the United States, India, and China.
After undergoing a major renovation in 2000, the British-style "Rose Garden" now boasts around 4,000 roses of approximately 600 varieties, and continues to be one of the Kansai region's leading rose viewing spots. The garden is divided into the "Old Rose Garden" area, where roses cultivated by royalty and aristocrats before selective breeding bloom, and the "Modern Rose Garden" area, where perennial varieties bloom. The garden is packed with various ingenious features, including an area specializing in fragrance, "Path of Time - The Journey of Roses," where you can appreciate the varieties and evolution of modern roses, and the "Japanese Breeders' Garden," where you can enjoy around 47 varieties of roses that originated in Japan.
The Rose Prince was in awe at the sight of this world of roses. Even in the autumn, when they are in full bloom, he was amazed to see them in such beautiful glory. "The staff who take care of them must have such warm hearts," he said, admiring the roses with a dreamy gaze as he continued his stroll.
When we spoke to Inoue-san, who is in charge of managing the rose garden, he told us that just as the prince had imagined, there are professional staff on-site at the Rose Garden. Every day, before opening and after closing, they pour their passion into pruning and other maintenance, paying close attention to even the smallest changes. As if in response, the roses are displaying their utmost beauty.
The best time to see the roses in spring is from early to late May and from mid to late June (second bloom). In spring, an early morning garden is also held for a limited time, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the roses in the tranquil park from 7am.
The best time to see the roses in autumn is from mid-October to late November. Some people who look forward to the beauty of the Rose Garden every year purchase annual passes to Hirakata Park and visit multiple times during the peak season to enjoy the roses.
The fragrant paradise that unfolds before your eyes as you reach it with the Rose Prince
As you walk through the garden, you'll be enveloped in the gorgeous scent of roses. This is actually the Fragrance Area, where you can enjoy seven different rose scents, including fruity and spicy. According to Inoue, autumn is the best time to enjoy the scent. In autumn, when the temperature doesn't get too high, the aromatic compounds linger in the air longer, allowing the fresh scent of roses to last longer.
One of the reasons we love roses is their scent. The fragrant scent of roses has a calming effect, so we hope you will enjoy this scent to the fullest and relax.
A huge gathering of celebrities! Famous actresses and historic presidents transformed into roses!
Where the Rose Prince stops is a flower bed where historical figures from around the world gather together. The names of famous people such as Audrey Hepburn, Anne Frank, and John F. Kennedy are listed. Each flower has a different color and blooming pattern, overflowing with the feelings of the creators of the varieties for their predecessors. The splendor of the roses makes it seem as if the figures of these great people can be seen peeking out from the roses...!?
Leaving the celebrity area behind, we walked a little further and came across a flower bed associated with the royal family. The prince, captivated by the beauty of "Princess Masako," listened closely and heard him whispering gently to the roses.
Just like girls, roses are creatures that crave words. I try to convey my feelings every day.
The Rose Prince unexpectedly introduces the rose that captured his heart.
"Henri Matisse" exudes the artist's talent that is hard to put into words. I applaud the passion of the creator who was inspired by Matisse!
Head to Nakanoshima Park, a relaxing spot in the city that is also the Rose Prince's Garden!
After leaving Hirakata Park, we headed to Nakanoshima Park. Nakanoshima Park, which even the Rose Prince visits every day, is not just an urban oasis, but a famous spot that is extremely dedicated to roses. It was designed by Ken Osanai, a two-time winner of the TV Champion National Rose Connoisseur's Championship and a passionate supporter of rose lovers.
This rose garden, which was established in the 1950s, was renovated in 2009 and redesigned so that each block of flowerbeds shows the trends and history of roses. Currently, Nakanoshima Park is home to approximately 3,700 rose bushes of approximately 310 varieties. That's a lot to imagine in the heart of Osaka!
Many rose gardens close at night, but Nakanoshima Park is attractive because you can freely enjoy the roses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Nearby are the Osaka City Central Public Hall and The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, so we recommend spending the day strolling around the area.
I often see city ladies visiting to take pictures of roses. Seeing this scene is a source of inspiration for me. It's a moment when I can experience the beauty that all ladies have, that remains unchanged in their girlish hearts.
If you cross this bridge covered with blooming pink roses, you'll come to a large lawn. At night, this lawn is a rare spot in the center of the chaotic city of Osaka where you can see the beautiful stars unobstructed by lights. This is my super date spot, which I really wanted to keep a secret.
There are still many more! 4 Rose Gardens Loved by the Rose Prince
So far, we have introduced the two gardens that the Rose Prince loves, but his love for them is far from over.
A collaboration between the Tower of the Sun and roses
Expo'70 Commemorative Park was developed on the site of the Japan World Exposition (Osaka Expo) held in 1970. The Peace Rose Garden, located behind the Tower of the Sun, which is still beloved by Osaka residents, is home to approximately 2,400 rose bushes of approximately 250 varieties.
At the time of the Osaka Expo, nine countries around the world, including Japan, donated roses to this place in hopes of peace, and you can feel the bonds and exchanges that existed at the time.
The highlight is the variety that has survived for over 50 years and has been preserved since the time of the World Expo.
"Princess Michiko," a rose dedicated to Empress Michiko by a British rose expert, exudes elegance with its elegant orange color. There's also a Japanese rose garden and a fragrance area, making it a space where you can enjoy the diversity of roses along with the Tower of the Sun.
Hamadera Park Rose Garden: A fusion of roses and the charm of a Japanese garden
The Rose Garden in Hamadera Park is a unique rose garden where you can experience the atmosphere of a Japanese garden, with beautiful roses blooming in the pristine landscape of Japan's mountains and fields, and it also features a waterwheel and a rest area in the style of an old Japanese house.
The garden is home to approximately 6,000 plants of 500 different species, including wild roses native to Japan and modern roses, and is home to a selection of particularly fragrant varieties, allowing visitors to enjoy the garden with all five senses.
The recommended flowering times for roses are early May to early June for spring blooms and early October to early November for autumn blooms.
*Entry is not permitted after 4:00 PM
There are other closing periods, so please check the website.
The only place outside of the UK where you can find David Austin Roses English Rose Garden!
The directly managed garden of a world-famous British rose breeding and production company is located in Sennan City, Osaka. It boasts one of the largest rose collections in the world, with over 3,000 roses from Austin's collection. In particular, the area, modeled after the Renaissance Garden at the company's British headquarters, is so beautiful that it will cleanse your soul with the clear stream surrounded by roses. A rose festival is also held in the spring. Not only can you admire the roses, but you can also purchase gardening supplies, so if you're captivated by their beauty and have a burning passion for growing roses yourself, you can satisfy that.
*This article was migrated from “Shittonka Osaka.” The information provided is current as of March 2025 and may differ from current conditions. Please check the official websites of each store or facility for the latest operating hours and details.
Photo：Yuji Takatsu
Edit：Yuji Takatsu
Direction：NINGEN Editorial Department（NINGEN Inc.）
