Sakuya Konohana Kan―A Greenhouse Botanical Garden Full of Hands-On Experiences

Sakuya Konohana Kan conservatory is a two-story greenhouse made of glass and steel, and one of the largest botanical gardens in Japan. In winter, when greenery becomes scarce, strolling through its warm, vibrant atmosphere filled with the breath of living plants is sure to lift your spirits. Be sure to visit this botanical garden, where flowering is adjusted in the back yard to ensure the plants are always at their best!

A Collection of Diverse Plants
from Climate Zones Around the World

Opened in 1990, Sakuya Konohana Kan spans a building area of about 4,750 square meters (approx.1.2ac.) with a total floor area of around 6,890 square meters (approx.1.7ac.) —large enough that a leisurely walk through its exhibits takes over an hour. It was originally built as the main pavilion for the International Garden and Greenery Exposition held in Osaka. Today, the garden houses a collection of 5,500 species and 15,000 plants, with 300 to 400 varieties always kept in bloom.

Inside the facility, the space is divided into zones: the Tropical Rainforest Room, Tropical Flowering Trees Room, Arid Zone Plants Room, and Alpine Plants Room, allowing visitors to explore plant life from a variety of climate zones around the world. Highlights include rare species such as the Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis) and the funny baobab. 

Behind the scenes, temperature and flowering adjustments are carefully managed to showcase a variety of blooms year-round. Remarkably, the garden even demonstrates techniques that allow the night-blooming queen of the night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) to flower during the day.

In addition, outdoor gardens have been developed, and these are also well worth a visit. Highlights include the Lotus Garden, designed to resemble a tropical waterside; the Tropical Garden, featuring cold-hardy tropical plants; the Blossom Garden, with jacaranda as its symbolic tree; the Mediterranean Garden, showcasing plants that thrive in Mediterranean climates; the Petit English Garden, a sample garden in the British style; the Desert Garden, home to plants adapted to arid regions; and the Rock Garden, created with arranged stones to provide an ideal environment for wildflowers. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of garden styles.

One of the highlights of Sakuya Konohana Kan is its year-round lineup of special exhibitions and events. Under the title “Sakuya Juku,” visitors can attend talks on important topics related to plants and other living things, as well as lectures tied to the themes of current exhibitions. In addition, the garden offers a variety of hands-on programs, including workshops on container gardening, dried and preserved flower arrangements, harvest experiences, and craft-making sessions.

The facility has a restaurant, making it a nice spot to enjoy lunch. Opening hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (last order at 3:00 p.m.), and it is closed on Mondays. The menu mainly features light meals such as bento boxes, curry, and noodles. In addition, a café occasionally opens in the atrium-style Flower Hall. Visitors are also allowed to bring their own food and drinks into the facility, with designated areas available for eating.

The museum shop is also very popular, offering a wide variety of items such as plant-themed goods, original products unique to Sakuya Konohana Kan, books, food, plants, and flower seedlings. It’s a great place to enjoy shopping for souvenirs or mementos. With around 230,000 visitors annually, Sakuya Konohana Kan is a must-see botanical garden full of attractions.

In Sunlit Glass Greenhouses
Plants Grow as They Do in the Wild

The Tropical Flower and Tree Room primarily features tropical fruit trees, palms, and tropical flowering plants with beautiful blooms.

The variety of tropical fruits includes starfruit, bananas, mangoes, papayas, lychees, wax apples, jaboticabas, dragon fruit, acerola, pineapples, and more. Since most of these plants cannot grow naturally in Japan, observing their tree forms and how they bear fruit can be a fun and educational experience for children, offering a unique opportunity for food education.

The Tropical Rainforest Plant Room features plantings designed to evoke the atmosphere of a jungle. A wide variety of orchids that grow epiphytically on jungle plants are displayed in forms close to their natural state. Visitors can also see the sagaribana, well-known as a native species of Okinawa and Southeast Asia; the giant water lily, famous for having the world’s widest leaves; and colorful tropical water lilies. Plants of the same family are generally grouped together, making it easy to observe and compare variations in form and color within the same genus—another distinctive feature of the exhibits.

Sakuya Konohana Kan offers daily flower tours. Individual participants can sign up on the day of the tour (groups require reservations). Participation is free, and the 30-minute guided tour introduces the highlights of the plants in the facility as well as upcoming events. Applications can be made at the information desk inside the building. For details, please inquire directly.

Seasonal Exhibitions Year-Round
Join Hands-On Workshops Too!

At Sakuya Konohana Kan, seasonal special exhibitions are held throughout the year, which is one reason it attracts many repeat visitors. Every March, the Spring Orchid Exhibition showcases around 200 varieties. Centered on the main stage in the first-floor Flower Hall, visitors can admire numerous orchids lovingly cultivated by members of the Osaka Orchid Society. Alongside this exhibition, cultivation workshops and guided tours are offered, and approximately 2,000 orchid plants are available for purchase.

The Tropical Fruit Exhibition is held during Golden Week (a major series of holidays in early May in Japan). Visitors can see around 20 varieties of tropical fruits, along with displays showing how the fruits actually grow on trees. To add to the atmosphere, the venue is decorated with colorful Thai umbrellas like those in the photo, and stage shows are held, creating a vibrant tropical ambiance throughout the space.

From July to September, the Carnivorous Plant Exhibition is held, featuring around 50 species of insect-eating plants. This exhibition is especially popular with children, and its theme changes each year. Visitors can enjoy live demonstrations showing how carnivorous plants capture their prey, lectures on how to grow them, as well as hands-on workshops where participants can create carnivorous plant-themed crafts—making it a diverse and engaging event.

Beautiful Christmas Decorations!
The Annual Music Concerts Are Super Popular

During the Christmas season, the decorations change each year with a different theme. Highlights include displays of Christmas trees from around the world, vibrant poinsettias, festive wreaths, and sparkling illuminations. Special photo spots also appear, so don’t miss the chance to snap some Instagram-worthy shots as a keepsake of your visit!

In the Grand Greenhouse, local junior and high school brass bands hold a Christmas concert, performing classic holiday songs and music that everyone can enjoy across generations.

Packed with Events All Year
Enjoy Every Corner of Sakuya Konohana Kan!

At Sakuya Konohana Kan, a variety of fun events are held throughout the year, including mushroom festivals, pressed flower exhibitions, rose contests, cactus and succulent exhibitions, and various workshops. Why not spend a relaxing and enjoyable time surrounded by lush greenery in the greenhouse?

Check the official website for the event schedule and more details.

Information

Sakuya Konohana Kan

Address: 2-163 Ryokuchikoen, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka/ Japan

Call: +81-(0)6-6912-0055

Official Website: https://www.sakuyakonohana.jp/english/

Access:
About a ten-minute walk from Tsurumiryokuchi Station on the subway Nagahori Tsurumiryokuchi Line. 

Closed Days:
Monday (or closed on the following day if Monday comes on a holiday) and the year-end and New Year holiday (from December 28 to January 4)

Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00 (Please enter by 16:30)

Admission:
・Adults (High School Students and older) 500 yen
・Junior High School Students and younger Free

Parking:
The nearest parking lot is Central Parking Lot No. 2 at Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park (Flower Expo ’90 Commemorative Park).
Please note that Sakuya Konohana Kan does not have its own dedicated parking lot.