Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park

Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park, officially the Flower Expo Commemorative Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi, is an urban park in Osaka City that spans Tsurumi Ward and Moriguchi City. It opened in April 1972. Its origins trace back to 1941, when Osaka Prefecture—facing increasing population density—planned to secure a large green space in Tsurumi as part of overcrowding countermeasures. At that time, the area was mostly rice paddies, but in 1943 it was designated as an air-defense green zone. After the war, farmland was redistributed to former tenant farmers under agricultural reforms ordered by GHQ. In 1986, the 99th B.I.E. General Assembly in Paris approved hosting the International Garden and Greenery Exposition, and in 1990 the expo opened. Attendance greatly exceeded the initial forecast of 20 million, setting a record for special expositions. Centered around a large pond where migratory birds rest, the park includes the Sakuya Konohana-kan greenhouse, which cultivates and displays 2,600 plant species and about 15,000 plants, as well as a Japanese garden and international gardens. It also offers recreational facilities such as an equestrian field, ball courts, athletic grounds, and sports facilities including a heated pool. Admission is free year-round except for some paid facilities, allowing visitors to enjoy seasonal flowers and plants throughout the year.