After major flooding of the Yodo River in 1885, the river was relocated. This park was laid out on the old flood plain. The park opened in 1934 but became dilapidated due to the Pacific War. It has been improved from time to time.

Shobu-en, the iris garden, opened in May 1964 in Shirokita Park. Every June, visitors can enjoy 13,000 irises of 250 varieties in bloom.
Area: Shirokita Park: 95,200 m² Shobu-en: 10,800 m²
Open Period: from end of May to mid June (subject to change)
Opening Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (sometimes extended)
*For more information, please call the above telephone number.
Admission: 200 yen for adults (free for elementary and junior high school students, people over 65 years old and physically handicapped persons)

<Access>
Osaka City Bus
Take "Moriguchi Shakomae Iki" line and get off at "Shirokita Koenmae" stop.

• Line 34 from JR Osaka Station


• Line 110 from Miyakojima Station on Subway Tanimachi Line


• Line 110 from Temmabashi Station on Subway Tanimachi Line
  *(There is no parking space available. Please use public transportation.)

"Wando" are places where water forms pools alongside the main stream of the Yodo River, and when the water rises, they reconnect with the main stream. The origin of the word "Wando" is obscure, but people call coves, backwaters and deep pools "Wando" in some areas, so they started to call such places "Wando" along the Yodo River.

It is confirmed that there are more than 60 kinds of fish living in the Yodo River, and many of them are born and reach maturity in these "Wando." They include national natural treasures which also are endangered species, such as itasenpara and Leptobotia curta, but there are less opportunities to see them, due to environmental pollution and the impact of fish species introduced from overseas.

Itasenpara	Leptobotia curta	Carassius cuvieri (Cultured species crucian carp)	Opsariichtys uncirostris
Tairikuparatanago	Micropterus salmoides (black bass)	Channa argus

<Access>
"Shirokita Koenmae" stop on the City Bus line. The Wando is located to the north of the stop.

<Information Supplied by>
Yodogawa Public Work Office, Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Address: 2-2-10 Shinmachi, Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture
TEL: 072-843-2861
URL: http://www.yodogawa.kkr.mlit.go.jp

Osaka Municipal Space of Art opened on January 15, 2000 as a base of new creative activities for theatrical groups and musical bands to work their new production. Art and culture originating in Osaka is sent out from Asahi Ward to all over the country.

<Access>

• 10 minutes on foot from Keihan Railway Morishoji Station


• 10 minutes on foot from Subway Tanimachi Line Senbayashi Omiya Station


• Near Shirokita Exit of Hanshin Expressway Moriguchi Line


• Near Asahi Kuyakusho Kumin Center Stop on Osaka City Bus

Recycle Plaza Akagawa offers the opportunity for people to learn and experience how to reduce garbage and about recycling in an enjoyable atmosphere. Recycled furniture and bicycles are exhibited in the plaza, and are offered to citizens free of charge by a lottery system. Additionally, there are paper pressing, dying, patchwork and glass craftwork classes related to recycling. On Mondays and Saturdays citizens can bring in paper trays, aluminum cans, used batteries, fluorescent light tubes and mercury thermometers.
Open Hours: 10:00 - 16:30
Closed on Tuesdays, 4 days from the 4th Tuesday of the month, and at the end and beginning of the year

<Access>

• Exit No. 4 at Miyakojima Station on Subway Tanimachi Line. Take City Bus for "Moriguchi Shakomae," "Shinmori Koenmae" or "Shinmori 7-chome Higashi" and get off at "Akagawa 1-chome" stop. Approximately 1 minute walk from there.


• Take City Bus line 33 or 57 from JR Osaka Station and get off at "Akagawa 1-chome" stop. Approximately 1 minute walk.