11 Selected Tourist Spots in Itami! Experience the Thrill of Airplanes, Nature, and History

Itami City in Hyogo Prefecture, a residential area for Osaka and Kobe with a population of about 200,000, might be familiar to many through the name “Itami Airport.” If you’re traveling to Osaka by plane, don’t just rush off to another tourist destination afterward—it would be a waste! Why not take a comprehensive tour of Itami?

From observation spots where you can watch the dramatic take-offs and landings, to a rose garden where roses from around the world bloom in abundance, to parks and ponds brimming with nature, as well as historical sites like temples, castle ruins, and kofun (ancient burial mounds), and even cultural facilities like art and science museums, Itami offers a wealth of places to explore. Let us guide you through 11 hand-picked spots you won’t want to miss when touring Itami.

1. Itami Sky Park – Watch Airplanes Take Off and Land Right Before Your Eyes

Osaka International Airport, which spans Itami City, Toyonaka City, and Ikeda City, is largely located in Itami and is affectionately known as “Itami Airport” by people in the Kansai region.

Our first recommended Itami tourist spot is Itami Sky Park—a vast park of approximately 90,000 square meters adjacent to the runway where you can watch airplanes take off and land up close. The sheer power and excitement of the flights will leave you thrilled! There are plenty of observation points throughout the park, but our top recommendation is the “Dandan Terrace,” a special seating area with 12 large stone steps where you can sit and watch at leisure.

In addition, there’s “Tsutsuji no Oka” (Azalea Hill) where 14,000 azaleas burst into bloom in spring, and “Bouken no Oka” (Adventure Hill) featuring a giant 3D maze called Cube Adventure and a roller slide—popular large play areas for children. With so many attractions and play spots, you can easily spend an entire day here from morning until night. As darkness falls, the LED-lit “Starlight Path,” along with the fountain and Sky Terrace, create a romantic ambiance—perfect for a date.

2. Osaka International Airport Observation Deck “LaSORA”

Located on the 4th floor of the terminal building at Osaka International Airport, “LaSORA” is a must-visit spot during your boarding wait or after landing. This vast observation deck, with a comfortable wooden deck stretching approximately 400 meters and a total area of about 5,000 square meters, is open for viewing from 6:00 to 22:00.

If you have time, stop by the LaSORA Garden, which is filled with exotic flowers from around the world, or check out the interior shop featuring imported Scandinavian furniture. If you choose the open terrace area of the European-style restaurant located in the middle near the runway, you can even dine while watching the airplanes.

3. Aramaki Rose Park – A Stunning Rose Garden Utilizing the Banks of the Tenjin River

Spread over approximately 17,000 square meters, Aramaki Rose Park is a Mediterranean-style rose garden built on the river embankment of the Tenjin River. Here, approximately 10,000 roses of around 250 varieties burst into bloom—from large, showy bridal pinks and double golden borders to petite “Jennifer” mini roses. You’ll also find Itami-grown roses such as “Amatsu Otome” and “Madame Viole.”

One of the highlights is the “Peace Monument” featuring three columns symbolizing freedom, equality, and fraternity. During the peak rose viewing seasons—mid-May to mid-June and mid-October to mid-November—the underground hall at Peace Monument Square is open. The central lawn, surrounded by roses, is ideal for relaxing.

4. Airfront Oasis Shitakawara – Watch Light Aircraft and Helicopters

Airfront Oasis Shitakawara is a park located on the north side of Osaka International Airport. Its proximity to a short runway makes it an ideal observation spot for watching small planes and helicopters during take-offs and landings.

Parking here often fills up, so if you plan to take your time, it’s recommended to use public transportation. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Kitaitami Station on the JR Fukuchiyama Line or about a 30-minute walk from Hankyu Hotarugaike Station.

5. Itami City Museum – Famous for Its Collection of Honoré Daumier Works

Established in April 2022 through the integration of the Itami City Art Museum, the former Itami City Museum next to the city hall, the Kakisoe Library, the Itami City Craft Center, and the Itami Gyo-machi Annex, the Itami City Museum primarily houses works by 19th-century French artist Honoré Daumier, along with etchings by William Hogarth, satirical prints by Georges Bizot, and various European paintings and prints. Special exhibitions and events are also very popular.

It’s about a 20-minute walk from Hankyu Itami Station, and the museum is adjacent to Itami City Hall. The former Okada Family Residence and Sake Brewery, as well as the former Ishibashi Family Residence, offer free entry—so be sure to visit.

6. Midori-ga-Oka Park – Home to the Kourokan and Shogetsutei

Midori-ga-Oka Park is Itami City’s oldest park, featuring two ponds called Kamiike and Shitaike, and ancient cherry and pine trees. Floating on Shitaike is “Shogetsutei,” a pavilion gifted by Foshan, China, a sister city of Itami. In contrast to the traditional Japanese-style hip-and-gable roof of the “Kourokan” situated between the two ponds, this park has buildings that exude a foreign charm.

Other facilities within the park include Midori-ga-Oka Shrine, a budo hall and gymnasium, a swimming pool, and playground equipment for children. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the pathways lined with cherry blossoms, wisteria trellises, and autumn foliage that change with the seasons.

7. Mizukaike Park – A Place for Health and Wellness

Just a few minutes’ walk west of Midori-ga-Oka Park lies Mizukaike Park, developed around Mizukaike—a reservoir in Itami. It is popular in spring as a spot to enjoy cherry blossoms.

Take a relaxing stroll along the pond edge while admiring the flower beds. A 1,600-meter trim course is set around the pond for running and walking, along with 17 pieces of fitness equipment and playground facilities for children, making it an excellent place for maintaining your health.

8. Itami City Children’s Cultural and Science Museum – Popular for Its Original Craft Kits

This complex facility comprises a planetarium and a cultural center. The planetarium offers exhibits and interactive experiences themed around space and the cosmos, while the cultural center features an observation room overlooking the take-offs and landings at Osaka International Airport, along with exhibition and conference rooms.

The renewed planetarium projector “MEGASTAR-2B itami,” installed in 2013, displays about 5 million stars. Regular programs introduce the starry sky of the day and seasonal constellations, and there are special programs for children (“Chibikko Projection”) as well as for adults (“Twilight Projection”).

Popular exhibits in the planetarium include interactive displays of rocket launches and a “Solar System Cycling” experience. The museum’s original craft kits—such as a “Constellation Fan” that functions as a star chart, “Earth Paper Craft” (a mini globe), and “Moon Paper Craft” (a mini lunar globe)—are sold for a modest 50 yen each. Be sure to try your hand at making one in the craft corner.

9. Konyo-ji – An Ancient Temple Founded by Gyoki

Konyo-ji, a temple of the Shingon sect of Mount Koya, is an ancient temple said to have been founded by the Buddhist monk Gyoki. Its mountain name is “Konronzan,” and it is the 19th temple on the Saigoku Yakushi 49 Sacred Sites pilgrimage. The principal image enshrined in the main hall is the Yakushi Nyorai, created by Gyoki.

Normally a quiet and serene place, Konyo-ji becomes lively during the annual Gyoki Festival in April, the Konyo-ji Festival in August, and the Danjiri Festival in October. If your schedule permits, be sure to visit.

10. Gogan-zuka Kofun – A Keyhole-Shaped Burial Mound from the Late 5th Century

Southwest of Osaka International Airport, you can find several kofun (ancient burial mounds), the most famous of which is Gogan-zuka Kofun—a keyhole-shaped mound resembling a scallop shell. Designated as a Cultural Property by Hyogo Prefecture, it is also one of the 33 stops on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

Believed to have been constructed in the latter half of the 5th century, Gogan-zuka Kofun measures about 52 meters in length. The mound is surrounded by a small moat that holds water. Originally, four smaller mounds—Michizuka, Kakarizuka, Nukumizuka, and Yaburezuka—were built around it. Although these subsidiary mounds no longer exist, a stone monument stands at the site. One prevailing theory about the name “Gogan-zuka” is that it derives from the existence of five mounds (“Itsutsu-zuka”).

11. Arioka Castle Ruins Historical Park (Itami Castle)

Itami Castle, famous as the site where Kuroda Kanbei once confined the rebellious warlord Araki Murashige for a year to persuade him, is also known for its well-preserved remains of Japan’s oldest castle town, surrounded by moats and earthen walls. Located on the eastern edge of the Itami Terrace, the natural river functioned as a fortress.

In 1574 (Tenshō 2), Araki Murashige attacked and captured Itami Castle, after which the castle was extensively renovated and renamed “Arioka Castle.”

The main bailey of Arioka Castle once occupied the area where JR Itami Station is now located. Parts of the ruins have been developed into Arioka Castle Ruins Historical Park, where you can see stone walls, remnants of wells, earthen ramparts, and traces of moats.

◎ Summary of Itami Tourist Spots

When you think of Itami, the image of its airport is strong, but beyond the airport, Itami offers a wide variety of tourist attractions. If you’re using Itami Airport, don’t just pass through—make sure to schedule some sightseeing either before or after your trip to Osaka or Kobe. Enjoy exploring the diverse attractions that Itami has to offer!

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11 Selected Tourist Spots in Itami! Experience the Thrill of Airplanes, Nature, and History