Autumn Activities in Osaka: Wagashi Sweets, Tea, Aroma Design
Enjoy autumn in Osaka through cultural experiences away from the crowds: visit a Japanese garden, make traditional wagashi sweets, and taste tea-based cuisine in the hometown of tea ceremony master Sen no Rikyu.
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Ramona, English content editor at MATCHA since 2016, has been practicing ikebana flower arrangement (Ikenobo School) and tea ceremony (Omote Senke) since 2012. She arrived in Japan in 2012 as a graduate student with a focus on Japanese literature and performing arts. As a travel editor and writer, Ramona has visited and documented 40 of Japan's prefectures with a focus on art, history, traditional Japanese crafts, and performing arts.
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Autumn in Osaka: A Season for All Senses
Osaka is often overlooked for its seasonal beauty. However, beyond the familiar skyscrapers and busy commercial streets, the city holds beautiful gardens and areas ideal for stunning autumn foliage viewing.
Key locations include Osaka Castle Park, the magnificent rows of ginkgo trees along Midosuji Avenue, and the Minoo Waterfall area.
Read on to learn about three exclusive cultural experiences—fragrance making, seasonal wagashi sweets, and a special tea and lunch experience—that allow you to immerse yourself in Osaka's autumn with all your senses.
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Table of Contents
- Aroma Design and Wagyu Dining at Garden Oriental Osaka
- Seasonal Wagashi Confectionery Workshop in an Osaka Private Villa
- Japanese Tea Culture Experience in Sakai, Sen no Rikyu's Hometown
1. Aroma Design and Wagyu Dining at Garden Oriental Osaka
Picture courtesy of Wabunka
The Garden Oriental Osaka, situated between Osaka Castle Park and Sakuranomiya Park, is the historic former Diplomatic Residence of Osaka City. Home to a beautiful garden that showcases Japan's seasonal beauty, this facility is now a stylish restaurant, wedding venue, and event location.
This exclusive experience begins with a private, guided tour of the stately building and its grounds, granting exclusive access to normally restricted areas like the Azumaya garden tearoom to appreciate the preserved original architecture.
An autumn visit offers you the chance to relish the gorgeous colors of the foliage in a relaxed setting.
Picture courtesy of Wabunka
Following the tour, you'll engage in a creative workshop where you craft a personalized essential oil blend from Japanese regional oils under the private, expert guidance of renowned perfumer Keiko Chimura.
The luxurious event culminates with a private course dinner of fine Japanese cuisine, prominently featuring premium Wagyu beef, accompanied by a toast drink.
Experience details
Location: Garden Oriental Osaka (the former Diplomatic Residence of Osaka City)
Duration: 180 minutes
Group size: 2 to 6 participants
Fee: from 94,000 yen/person
2. Seasonal Wagashi Confectionery Workshop in an Osaka Private Villa
Picture courtesy of Wabunka
This enriching cultural experience invites you to learn the art of traditional wagashi confectionery from Osaka-based master artisan Nobuharu Nakanishi, owner of Yoshinoya Matsubara.
Held within the stunning and luxurious atmosphere of the Toyosaki Kusano Private Villa, a traditional wood-construction former residence, the experience begins with a demonstration of Nakanishi's masterful skills.
Picture courtesy of Wabunka
You will then try your hand at crafting two seasonal nerikiri confections inspired by Osaka and the autumn season.
Enjoy one of your freshly made sweets on the spot with tea in the gorgeous villa, which is decorated with antique furnishings, and take the other confection home with you for a delightful taste of Osaka's elegance.
Experience details
Location: Toyosaki Kusano Private Villa
Duration: 120 minutes
Group size: 1 to 12 participants
Fee: from 88,000 yen/group
3. Japanese Tea Culture Experience in Sakai, Sen no Rikyu's Hometown
Picture courtesy of Wabunka
This deep dive into Japanese tea culture takes place in Sakai, the hometown of the great tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522–1591). The venue is Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo, a renowned tea shop operating out of a tranquil, 340-year-old traditional building.
The comprehensive experience includes a detailed explanation by a tea master, the chance to roast tea leaves yourself, taste and compare different tea varieties, and learn proper brewing techniques.
Picture courtesy of Wabunka
Guests will enjoy two welcome drinks and witness skilled masters select, roast, and blend leaves right in front of them.
The experience culminates with a tea-based lunch course featuring a special dessert made with high-grade matcha, plus tea leaves and sweets provided to take home.
Both the tea ceremony, which Sen no Rikyu turned into an art, and Japanese cuisine always reflect seasonal features. This activity is a great chance to enjoy the colors and flavors of autumn also through smell and taste.
Experience details
Location: Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo in Sakai City
Duration: 120 minutes
Group size: 1 to 6 participants
Fee: from 20,000 yen/person
Enjoy Autumn Activities in Osaka
We hope these experiences give you an additional reason to explore Osaka in autumn, venturing beyond standard destinations to discover the city's deeper cultural layers.
Read also
Main image courtesy of Wabunka
Ramona, English content editor at MATCHA since 2016, has been practicing ikebana flower arrangement (Ikenobo School) and tea ceremony (Omote Senke) since 2012. She arrived in Japan in 2012 as a graduate student with a focus on Japanese literature and performing arts. As a travel editor and writer, Ramona has visited and documented 40 of Japan's prefectures with a focus on art, history, traditional Japanese crafts, and performing arts.
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