Stand on the Keihan line platform at Hirakata-kōen Station and you are a five-minute walk from a wooden roller coaster; ride two stops the other way and you are looking at an empty field where a temple founded in the 8th century once stood. Hirakata sits almost halfway between Osaka and Kyoto, on the left bank of the Yodogawa River, with the Ikoma Mountains rising to the east.
This guide suits travellers based in Osaka or Kyoto who want a day out of the city, families with children, and anyone interested in the early history of Korean settlement in Japan. It covers the sights and experiences the sources describe, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Hirakata
1. Hirakata Park
Hirakata Park, known locally as Hirapaa, is a children's amusement park with rides and attractions open year-round. It has a Ferris wheel, a few roller coasters, the Giant Drop, and some wet rides, along with "adventures" that range from shooting laser guns to carrying a crystal ball through a maze. An outdoor water park has an adult pool, a children's pool and several water slides; in winter the pools are converted to ice skating rinks.
It is a five-minute walk from Hirakata Koen Station on the Keihan train line. Entrance costs ¥1300, with each ride and attraction charged separately; if you plan on doing a lot, an all-day riding pass is ¥3600. Prices change during the winter months.
2. Okami Shrine
Okami Shrine sits atop Mount Mannenji, and its grounds fill with plum blossoms around February and March. The mountain is counted among the "Eight Scenic Spots of Hirakata".
Time your visit for the plum season if you can, and treat the climb as the point of the trip rather than a way to get somewhere else.
3. Ruins of Kudara-dera
In 660 AD the Korean kingdom of Baekje was conquered by the Silla-Tang Alliance and its last king, Uija, was taken to China as a prisoner. His son Buyeo Seon'gwang escaped to Japan, where the emperor recognised him as King of Baekje, and the king in exile settled around Hirakata; in 750 AD his grandson founded this temple, whose name is the Japanese reading of "Baekje". The temple burned down in the 12th century, so nothing remains but an empty field with some marker posts.
Entry is free. Go for the history rather than the buildings, and read up on the Baekje connection beforehand so the marker posts mean something when you arrive.
4. Sada Shrine
Sada Shrine is listed among the sights of the city, with Hoonji temple at 3-4-10 Tanoguchi noted alongside it.
Pair the two in a single stop rather than making separate trips.
5. Yamadaike Park
Yamadaike Park is at 1-1 Yamadaikekoen and is free to enter.
Because there is no admission charge, it works well as a low-cost addition to a day built around a paid attraction.
6. Kōzenji
Kōzenji is a stop on the Keihan Main Line, between which the line runs through Hirakata-kōen, Hirakata-shi, Goten-yama, Makino and Kuzuha.
Use the Keihan Main Line to link the stops above; the Katano Line branches from Hirakata-shi toward Miyanosaka, Hoshigaoka and Murano if you want to extend the day.
7. Kinyakurumazuka Kofun
Kinyakurumazuka Kofun is one of the notable sites of Hirakata.
It suits travellers already following the city's early history, and combines naturally with the Kudara-dera ruins.
8. Kuzuha Battery Site
The Kuzuha Battery Site is another of the city's notable sites, in the Kuzuha area served by the Keihan Main Line.
Add it to a Keihan Main Line day rather than making a special journey for it alone.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Okami Shrine on Mount Mannenji, where the grounds are known for plum blossoms around February and March. Continue to the Ruins of Kudara-dera and read the marker posts in the empty field where the temple once stood.
Afternoon: Move on to Hirakata Park, a five-minute walk from Hirakata Koen Station on the Keihan train line. Entrance is ¥1300, rides cost extra, and an all-day riding pass is ¥3600; the water park becomes an ice skating rink in winter.
Evening: Finish at Yamadaike Park, which is free, or at Sada Shrine with Hoonji temple if you still have daylight and want one more stop before returning along the Keihan line.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get around Hirakata?
The Keihan Main Line runs through Kōzenji, Hirakata-kōen, Hirakata-shi, Goten-yama, Makino and Kuzuha, and the Katano Line branches from Hirakata-shi to Miyanosaka, Hoshigaoka and Murano. JR West's Katamachi Line serves Tsuda, Fujisaka and Nagao.
When is the best time to see plum blossoms?
Okami Shrine's grounds are filled with plum blossoms around February and March.
Is Hirakata Park worth it if I do not ride much?
Entrance costs ¥1300 and every ride and attraction costs additional money, so a light visit is possible; if you plan on doing a lot, the ¥3600 all-day riding pass works out better. Prices change during winter months.
Is there anything free to see?
The Ruins of Kudara-dera are free, and Yamadaike Park is free to enter.
Work out which Keihan line stops you need, check the plum season against your dates, and start planning your day in Hirakata.