Jackson Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Osaka Garden

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. Osaka Garden Marker

Inscription. The original Japanese Garden and HO-O Den Palace were built on this site for The World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. After the Exposition the garden was expanded, a tea house added, many other improvements made and the garden well maintained and cared for. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, however, the buildings were destroyed by fire and the garden was virtually abandoned. In 1981 new garden with a pavilion, waterfall and an arched moon bridge was built.

In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Chicago and Osaka (Japan) Sister City Relationship, Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago renamed the Japanese Garden in 1993 the "Osaka Garden."

Mayor Nishio of Osaka City was impressed with this act and responded by donating improvements to the garden in 1994. This included a formal wood garden entry gate and fence and other associated landscape restorations to the garden.

The present improvements were made possible through the cooperation of the city of Osaka through the Flower & Greenery Promotion Headquarters and the city of Chicago through the Chicago Park District Landscape Design Division.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1993.

Location. 41° 47.206′ N, 87° 34.986′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Jackson Park. It can be reached from South Stony Island Avenue near South Cornell Avenue. The marker is next to the entrance for the Osaka Garden, on Wooded Island in Jackson Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 35th Anniversary of Chicago-Osaka Sister City Relationship (a few steps from this marker); a different

Osaka Garden entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. Osaka Garden entrance

The marker is on a stone to the right of the entryway.

marker also named Osaka Garden (a few steps from this marker); Yoko Ono (within shouting distance of this marker); Legacy Tree Preservation Project, March, 2026 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackson Park Improvements (about 500 feet away); The First Automobile Race in America (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Jackson Park Improvements (about 600 feet away); Alison Saar, b. 1956 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Garden of the Phoenix (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Inside the Osaka Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

3. Inside the Osaka Garden

Names at the bottom of the plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

4. Names at the bottom of the plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.