Takarazuka

Hike

Along the old abandoned railway. catch the train to jr takedao station from jr osaka. roughly 40 minutes. note that there is no ticket machine at this station, so a sneaky person might save money and travel there on the minimum 120 yen fare. the walk is about 6 kilometers long and is flat. difficulty level = 2/5. it takes about 2 hours. key features: spectacular river views, rapids, gorge, cherry blossoms, red and yellow leaves in autumn, train tunnels. great for photography. when you exit the train station turn left and follow the river along and around to some steps up onto a small bridge not across the main river, but a sidearm when the street turns left. cross the bridge and you will come to the old train track sleepers. follow them along the river. you will have to walk through 6 old train tunnels and that is what makes this hike so interesting. make sure you bring good hiking shoes and a flashlight. you cannot walk through the tunnels without a flashlight. there are also nice places next to the river for a picnic. when you get to the end, walk towards the massive overpass and keep walking about 1km. eventually you will come upon some t-intersections, turn right up the hill at the second traffic light towards namaze station. you'll also find hankyu bus stops along the main street. have fun.

Stroll

Along the hana no michi street when cherry blossoms are in season usually late march or early april. just across the road from the hankyu takarazuka station, the popular senic spot is also near the hana no michi seruka buildings which feature plenty of shops. the entire street is lined on both sides with cherry blossom trees and the low hanging branches envelop visitors in a gentle curtain of pink along the entire 100m walk. visit on a wednesday or just after lunch hour, as most visitors who have come to watch performaces at the takarazuka theater just beside would have gone in.

One of the oldest fireworks festivals in Japan, the Takarazuka Gala Fireworks Festival is a yearly highlight of the city's events. The spectacular fireworks display takes place at the Mukogawa River around Kanko Dam.