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5 Cool Sightseeing Spots Near Osaka's Hanazono Rugby Stadium

5 Cool Sightseeing Spots Near Osaka's Hanazono Rugby Stadium

Last updated: 27 May 2021

Osaka's Hanazono Rugby Stadium is the oldest rugby field in Japan and is considered as the holy land of high school rugby.

Higashi-Osaka City, where the Hanazono Rugby Stadium is located, is known as a "manufacturing town" and has many small and medium-sized factories making a variety of cool things.

Here are 5 spots you can visit while you are in town for an Osaka rugby match, from historical shrines to manufacturing experiences.

Table of Contents
  1. Kawachi Ichinomiya Hiraoka Shrine: Rugby players also come to pray for victory
  2. Ishikiri Sando Shopping Street: Enjoy the good old days of Japan
  3. KAMITOWA Higashi Osaka: Experience traditional washi paper making
  4. Higashiosaka Folk Museum: Has a curious tomb on the premises
  5. Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park: Free admission! Enjoy a superb view and colorful playground
  6. Get Discount Train Tickets, Japan Rail Pass & More

Kawachi Ichinomiya Hiraoka Shrine: Rugby players also come to pray for victory

A short walk from Hiraoka Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line. Located on the east side of the station, you can see the torii as soon as you leave the station
A short walk from Hiraoka Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line. Located on the east side of the station, you can see the torii as soon as you leave the station

Hiraoka Shrine is dedicated primarily to Amenoko Yane-no-Mikoto, an ancestor to the Nakatomi clan who is said to be one of the first in charge of divine affairs.

In Japanese history, he holds a fair amount of significance, being commanded directly by the sun goddess Amaterasu to guard the divine mirror within the Imperial Palace.

Pass through the torii and you'll find yourself already in a sanctuary. The refreshing sound of water can be heard, and you'll find yourself surrounded by refreshing greenery
Pass through the torii and you'll find yourself already in a sanctuary. The refreshing sound of water can be heard, and you'll find yourself surrounded by refreshing greenery

In addition, four other gods are enshrined. The beginning of the shrine is said to be about 2600 years ago, and is still considered one of Shinto's important shrines.

"Rugby Mamoru" 700 yen (tax included). Hiraoka Shrine is also a god of the Hanazono Rugby Stadium, and many rugby-related people participate.
"Rugby Mamoru" 700 yen (tax included). Hiraoka Shrine is also a god of the Hanazono Rugby Stadium, and many rugby-related people participate.

As you pass through the torii gate and enter the grounds, you will see a sanctuary surrounded by greenery. Hiraoka Shrine is said to have a victorious benefit, given that one of the enshrined gods is also the god for martial arts.

The shrine is also extremely popular with the Kintetsu Liners, a company rugby team with Hanazono Rugby Stadium as its home ground, as every player visits every year to pray for victory.

Bronze deer god basin. The worshipers cleanse their hands and mouth here. The sound of water constantly trickling from the basin is very relaxing!
Bronze deer god basin. The worshipers cleanse their hands and mouth here. The sound of water constantly trickling from the basin is very relaxing!

The deer is regarded as a messenger of the god of martial arts enshrined here, as, in times of old, it was said that this deity had traveled on a white deer.

Several deer statues can be seen around the grounds as well. Guarding the entrance to the shrine is a trio of deer - mother with fawn, and father - instead of the typical guardian dogs. It is said that the shrine brings benefits such as "health and family peace," "children's happiness," and "travel safety" when praying to these deer statues.

  • Hiraoka Shrine
    枚岡神社
    • Address 7-16 Izumoicho, Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture
    • Phone Number 072-981-4177
    • Business hours: 9:00-16:00 (parking lot)
      Price: Free admission
      No regular holiday

Ishikiri Sando Shopping Street: Enjoy the good old days of Japan

Ishikiri Shrine side entrance. As you get closer to the shrine, you'll find more and more shops..
Ishikiri Shrine side entrance. As you get closer to the shrine, you'll find more and more shops..

Ishikiri Sando Shopping Street spreads out in front of Ishikiri Tsurugi Shrine - known locally as “Ishikiri-san”. Since the 1950s, the number of shops has jumped, and today it has become a bustling shopping street with a retro Japanese atmosphere.

On the approach road is Ishikiri Daibutsu, the third largest in Japan. Many people take selfies here
On the approach road is Ishikiri Daibutsu, the third largest in Japan. Many people take selfies here

There are about 100 unique shops covering everything from fortune tellers to food shops along the slope leading from Kintetsu Ishikiri Station to Ishikiri Shrine.

“Yomogi Kushi Dango” 100 yen (tax included). There are also 150 yen (including tax) of "Yomogi grilled skewer dumplings with topping" baked with kinako and anko toppings
“Yomogi Kushi Dango” 100 yen (tax included). There are also 150 yen (including tax) of "Yomogi grilled skewer dumplings with topping" baked with kinako and anko toppings

Here you'll find a variety of street foods, all of which are quite popular. Most famous are the different dumplings and other local foods made using Japanese mugwort, such as the “Yomogi dumplings” and “Momogi udon.”

Yomogi (Japanese mugwort) is popular as a Japanese herb. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is called “Gaiyo,” and it is said to improve the intestinal environment and warm and relax the body. So be sure to give it a try!

“Ishikiri Senbei” is a fun variety to choose from. Great for souvenirs
“Ishikiri Senbei” is a fun variety to choose from. Great for souvenirs
It is also great to stroll around while watching the colorful and lively storefront displays
It is also great to stroll around while watching the colorful and lively storefront displays

Souvenirs in this area include Japanese accessories and sweets. Colorful teacups and chopsticks with attractive Japanese patterns make perfect souvenirs.

The famous “Ishikiri Senbei” are hand-baked, so if you are lucky, you can see them being cooked right in the store, which makes for a fun photo. Also, since the products are lined with price tags, it's easy to point and request an item if you don't understand Japanese.

  • Ishikiri Sando Shopping Street
    石切参道商店街
    • Address 3-3-34 Higashiishikiricho, Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture
    • Phone number 072-986-8660 (Ishikiri-Sando Shopping Street Promotion Association)
      Business hours: Varies by store
      Regular holiday: Varies by store

KAMITOWA Higashi Osaka: Experience traditional washi paper making

Spacious classroom. A chair with colorful Japanese paper affixed to a paper tube used for industrial purposes is cute
Spacious classroom. A chair with colorful Japanese paper affixed to a paper tube used for industrial purposes is cute

KAMITOWA is a unique Japanese experience that allows you to make Japanese washi paper. Located in the corner of the Osaka Paper Stationery Distribution Center, it's a 6-minute walk from Nagata Station.

The atmosphere of the nearby wholesale district is also fun, and it is popular with overseas visitors. The classroom is large and can accommodate groups of up to 40 people.

"Paper making experience" 2,800 yen (excluding tax). Use a wooden frame to scoop paper. The process of leveling the base paper used as material is interesting
"Paper making experience" 2,800 yen (excluding tax). Use a wooden frame to scoop paper. The process of leveling the base paper used as material is interesting

There are two experiences offered here: a washi paper-making experience, and a goshuin temple stamp book-making experience.

The paper-making experience is a fun way of letting you create your own paper using washi techniques. The journey takes about 60 minutes. You can choose from postcards, table mats and tapestry.

A hand-made postcard. Decorate with dried flowers before drying. You can create 4 postcards at once!
A hand-made postcard. Decorate with dried flowers before drying. You can create 4 postcards at once!

Meanwhile, the goshuin temple stamp book takes about 45 minutes. Choose your favorite pattern from Yuzen Japanese paper in Kyoto and make it an original cover book.

The goshuin book is a notebook that holds temple seals given as proof of visiting a shrine or temple. There are a large temple size and a small shrine size, and you can choose between two patterns on the front and back.

"Goshuin making experience" 2,500 yen to 2,800 yen (excluding tax)
"Goshuin making experience" 2,500 yen to 2,800 yen (excluding tax)

Each experience is offered on a reservation basis, but if there is availability, same-day reservations are fine. The website is also offered in English, making the reservation process quite simple.

A Japanese-style room with washi tatami mats is also on display. In addition, the shop sells souvenirs using Japanese paper, such as Yuzen Japanese paper with a beautiful pattern and Tosa Washi, which features thinness. Pamphlets and descriptions are helpfully offered in both Japanese and English.

"Akashiya no brush pen" 500 yen (excluding tax) with a beautiful Japanese handle is a popular souvenir
"Akashiya no brush pen" 500 yen (excluding tax) with a beautiful Japanese handle is a popular souvenir
  • KAMITOWA Higashi Osaka Main Store
    紙TO和 東大阪本店
    • Address 4-7-27 Nagatanaka, Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture
    • Phone Number 06-6747-6633
    • Business hours: 9:30-15:00
      Regular holiday: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday

Higashiosaka Folk Museum: Has a curious tomb on the premises

Higashiosaka Folk Museum is located atop a small hill. About 20 minutes from the nearest station. Here you can enjoy hiking when the weather is nice
Higashiosaka Folk Museum is located atop a small hill. About 20 minutes from the nearest station. Here you can enjoy hiking when the weather is nice

Higashiosaka City Folk Museum is located in the middle of a hiking course on a hilltop overlooking the Kawachi Plain from an altitude of about 100m. Here, there is an old burial mound in the museum grounds.

Yamahata No.22 Kofun is on the premises
Yamahata No.22 Kofun is on the premises

The Yamahata Burial Mounds, which were created about 1500 years ago, are the largest tombs in Higashi-Osaka. In the survey so far, 68 units have been found, and there are 5 old tombs in the same site.

Permanent exhibition
Permanent exhibition

In the hall, the traces of people's lives from 20,000 years ago when people started living around here - tools, materials, etc. - are displayed. The exhibition shows how Japan appeared in the past using a variety of drawings and panels.

"Sue-ware with decoration" excavated from Yamahata No. 22 burial mound
"Sue-ware with decoration" excavated from Yamahata No. 22 burial mound

There are many cultural properties around the museum, such as the Ichishima Hime Shrine, which enshrines the ancient tombs and the guardian deity of water, Ichishima Hime, and is a perfect place for those who want to immerse themselves in the romance of history.

  • Higashiosaka Folk Museum
    東大阪市立郷土博物館
    • Address 18-12 Kami Shijo-cho, Higashiosaka City, Osaka
    • Phone Number 072-984-6341
    • Hours: 9:30 - 16:30
      Admission: 50 yen for adults, 30 yen for high school and college students, 20 yen for elementary and junior high school students
      Closed: Mondays, the day after national holidays, during exhibition changes, December 29 - January 3

Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park: Free admission! Enjoy a superb view and colorful playground

"Ikomasanjo Amusement Park" in a place with a panoramic view of the Osaka Plain
"Ikomasanjo Amusement Park" in a place with a panoramic view of the Osaka Plain

Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park is located near the summit of Ikoma Mountain at an altitude of 642m. There are many fun attractions for children, and it is popular with couples because of its good view.

Entry is free, and there is also a restaurant in the park. From the terrace seats, you can see the Osaka Plain spreading under your eyes, and on sunny days you can see Kansai International Airport and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

Colorful and retro playground equipment
Colorful and retro playground equipment

The symbol of the park is the “Hot Air Flight" tower. This is an attraction where you can see the Osaka plain from a height of 30m.

There is a lot of playground equipment that you can enjoy the scenery, such as “Balloon Cycle,” where you pedal up and down, and “Puka Puka Panda,” which walks in the air on a panda-shaped gondola. Recommended on sunny days, but it's okay if it rains. There are also indoor facilities such as haunted houses and exciting trains.

The view from the 30m high "Hot Air Flight" is the best!
The view from the 30m high "Hot Air Flight" is the best!

Beautiful sunsets and night views are also popular. It is usually open until 17:00, but it is open until 21:00 during the summer. It is very luxurious that you can enjoy such a beautiful night view for free.

The park is closed during the winter months from December to March, so please check the business days and hours on the website before going out. The website supports English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), and Korean.

In July 2019, “PLAY PEAK ITADAKI” produced by Bonnelldo will also open! Young children - even from 1 year old - can enjoy themselves together.

Night view from the amusement park
Night view from the amusement park
Night view and night amusement park
Night view and night amusement park

From food culture to history, there are many attractive places near Osaka's Hanazono Rugby Stadium! Whether you are interested in walking around or making a unique souvenir of your own, it's a perfect spot to refresh and enjoy your time in Japan. So be sure to drop in and have fun!

Text by: Shigemi Futaki

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*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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