Aramaki Rose Park is a public urban park in Aramaki, Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture. Designed as a series of terraces inspired by Southern European gardens, it is renowned for its beautiful displays of approximately 10,000 rose plants representing around 250 varieties from around the world. The park is also famous as the birthplace of two internationally recognized rose cultivars, Amatsu Otome and Madame Violet.
The park is located about 4 kilometers north of central Itami, near the border with Takarazuka City. It was designed primarily to showcase roses, transforming a relatively flat urban area into a dramatic landscape with a difference in elevation of approximately 10 meters. Part of the embankment along the Tenjin River was incorporated into the design to create this distinctive terrain.
Rose beds are arranged in stepped terraces around a central lawn, while the paths wind through the garden in a maze-like pattern. White architectural elements and a Southern European-inspired layout provide an elegant backdrop for the vibrant colors of the flowers, making the park an appealing destination for garden lovers, photographers, families, and couples.
Aramaki Rose Park features a wide range of roses, from familiar modern varieties to climbing roses and older types. The collection includes hybrid tea roses, known for their large, elegant blooms; floribunda roses, which produce clusters of flowers; climbing roses that grow along supports; miniature roses; and shrub roses that form abundant displays of blossoms. Older rose varieties, including Grootendorst, are also represented.
Among the colorful varieties visitors may encounter are Super Dorothy, Nostalgie, and Brass Band. The diversity of flower shapes, colors, and growth habits makes the garden an enjoyable place to explore throughout the flowering seasons.
The main attraction is the extensive rose garden, where approximately 10,000 plants are arranged around the lawn and along the terraced walkways. The layout allows visitors to appreciate the flowers from different heights and perspectives, while the contrasting white features of the garden enhance the roses’ vivid colors.
The park includes a special area dedicated to roses developed in Itami City. It is an opportunity to learn about the region’s contribution to rose cultivation and to see varieties associated with the city’s horticultural heritage, including the internationally known Amatsu Otome and Madame Violet.
Hasselt Corner commemorates Itami’s sister-city relationship with Hasselt in Belgium. The area features roses associated with the Belgian city, which is well known for its Manneken Pis statue and rose-growing traditions.
The grounds feature a peace monument created by artist Bukichi Inoue. An underground hall provides a quiet space for contemplation, offering a contrast to the colorful garden above.
The lawn provides a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the garden surroundings. Visitors can also stop at the Rose Gallery rest house, where rose-related displays and light refreshments offer a welcome break during a visit.
The park has two main flowering seasons: May to June and October to November. During these periods, the garden is filled with roses in a wide variety of colors, creating particularly attractive scenery. Visiting during peak bloom offers the best opportunity to appreciate the full diversity of the collection, although flowering conditions vary with the weather.
Admission to the park is free, making it an accessible destination for a relaxed outing. The park is generally closed on Tuesdays, except when Tuesday falls on a public holiday. Visitors planning a trip during a particular flowering period should check the latest local information before setting out.
From either Hankyu Itami Station or JR Itami Station, take an Itami City Bus on Route 1, 2, or 3 bound for Aramaki Rose Park. Alternatively, Route 52 toward JR Nakayama-dera Station via Tsuruta Danchi serves the park. Get off at the Aramaki Rose Park bus stop, which is close to the entrance.
From Hankyu Yamamoto Station on the Takarazuka Line, the park is approximately a 20-minute walk. Alternatively, take Hankyu Bus Route 72 or 73 toward Hankyu Sakasegawa Station and get off at Yamamoto Minami 1-chome, then walk for about 5 minutes.
From Hankyu Sakasegawa Station on the Imazu Line or JR Nakayama-dera Station on the Takarazuka Line, take a Hankyu Bus on Route 76 or 77 via Hankyu Yamamoto toward the Nozato area, or Route 73 toward Hankyu Yamamoto. Get off at Yamamoto Minami 1-chome and walk for approximately 5 minutes.
From JR Nakayama-dera Station, the park can also be reached on foot in about 20 minutes. Alternatively, take Itami City Bus Route 55 toward San Shidan・Kotsukyoku-mae or Route 52 toward JR Itami via Ogino, and get off at the Aramaki Rose Park stop.
With its terraced garden, extensive rose collection, and peaceful lawns, Aramaki Rose Park offers a refreshing escape from the city. Whether you are interested in horticulture, looking for a scenic place to take photographs, or simply hoping to enjoy seasonal flowers, the park provides a rewarding experience. For the most colorful displays, plan your visit during the spring or autumn rose season.