# Hirakata

Hirakata (枚方) is a city in Osaka Prefecture.

## Understand
### Tourist information site

The local Culture and Tourism Association has a Japanese-only guide site.

## Get in
### By train

Hirakata is served by Keihan Railway. In Osaka, from Kyobashi Station it costs ¥320 and ¥400 from Nakanoshima Station.
From Eastern Kyoto, you can reach Hirakata Station from Demachiyanagi (¥420), Sanjo (¥340), Gion-Shijo (¥340), and Chushojima (¥320). From Kyoto Station, you can transfer to the Keihan Line at Tanbabashi Station.

### By bus

Keihan Bus services highway buses to and from Hirakata Station.
* From Kyoto, buses depart from Sanjo Station and Kyoto Station.
Although Hirakata is rather small, there are highway buses that come and go from Tokyo and Urayasu. Buses depart for Hirakata from Shinjuku (¥8600 one way) and Tokyo Disney Resort (¥7900 one way).

## Get around
### By bus

Hirakata has a ¥100 Bus that travels from Hirakata Station to other destinations within the city.

## See

* 34.813551135.6438731 Okami Shrine (意賀美神社). Located atop Mount Mannenji, the shrine grounds are filled with plum blossoms around February and March. The mountain is considered to be one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Hirakata".
* 34.792706135.6331792 Sada Shrine (蹉跎神社).
* Hoonji temple, 3-4-10 Tanoguchi. (updated Jul 2016)

## Do

* 34.808255135.6396721 Hirakata Park (Hirapaa) (ひらかたパーク（ひらパー）) (A five minute walk from Hirakata Koen Station on the Keihan train line), ☏ +81 72-844-3475. 10:00-17:00. Hirakata Park is a popular children's amusement park with something to do during every season. There are a variety of rides and attractions open to visitors year-round. They have a Ferris wheel, a few roller coasters, the Giant Drop, and even some wet rides. One unique attraction featured at Hirakata Park are the "adventures". There are a variety of these, and each is a bit different, from shooting laser guns to carrying a crystal ball through a maze. There is also an outdoor water park with an adult pool, children's pool, and several water slides. In the winter time, the pools are converted to ice skating rinks. Entrance to the park costs ¥1300, but every ride and attraction costs additional money. If you plan on doing a lot, pay ¥3600 for an all-day riding pass. Prices change during winter months.
* Yamadaike Park, 1-1 Yamadaikekoen, ☏ +81 72-851-4761. free.

## Learn

Hirakata is home to Kansai Gaidai University, a foreign language university. It's East Asian Studies Program has made it one of Japan's most popular universities for foreign students to attend for study abroad, as it has direct relations with many universities throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as some in South America, Africa, and other Asian nations.

## Buy

* Kuzuha Mall (くずはモール). A shopping mall found at the Kuzuha Station on the Keihan Railway.

## Eat

* 34.82142135.6653681 New Delhi (ニューデリー) (Across the street from the Main Entrance of Kansai Gaidai University). Delicious Indian cuisine with highly affordable lunch specials and huge portions of naan.
* 34.815484135.6557882 Pekin (北京). A small restaurant serving delicious Chinese dishes. The owner is quite friendly. Regulars are often treated to free gyoza with their meals.

## Sleep

* 34.815909135.6503361 Hirakata Sun Plaza Hotel (ひらかたサンプラザホテル), 11-11 Okahigashi-cho, ☏ +81 728465511. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. Although it is an expensive hotel by Japanese standards, it is popular among those visiting students who are studying at Kansai Gaidai University. Rooms start at ¥7500 for a single.

## Go next

* Osaka
* Kyoto
* Yawata
* Suita
* Minō
* Uji
* Otsu
* Kurama