Hirakata Park

Hirakata Park is a family-friendly amusement park located in Hirakata Koen-cho, Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, affectionately known by locals as “Hira-Par.” It is considered the oldest operating amusement park in Japan. Its origins trace back to Kori Yuenchi, which opened in 1910; in 1912, a chrysanthemum-doll exhibition was held, marking the beginning of what became Hirakata Park. In 1926, the Hirakata Yuenchi Association was established, effectively consolidating operations under Keihan Electric Railway. Today, the park offers around 40 attractions, ranging from thrill rides to the Sky Walker, a large Ferris wheel with a maximum height of about 80 meters, as well as many rides that families and friends can enjoy together. The park also has two animal areas: “Wonder Garden,” home to animals such as red pandas, Asian small-clawed otters, squirrel monkeys, and prairie dogs; and “Dobutsu Hug-Hug Town,” where visitors can interact with rarer animals such as alpacas and maras.