Overview
Nishinomiya is a baseball-obsessed city home to Koshien Stadium, Japan's oldest ballpark and host of the annual National High School Baseball Championship every August. The city gained international fame as the setting for Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies and the anime The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.
Day Trips · Family Travel · Festivals · Nature
Before you go
Culture
Nishinomiya is the setting for Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies and anime The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Entering Nishinomiya-Kita High School (where Haruhi is set) to photograph inside is not permitted.
Events
The National High School Baseball Championship runs every August at Koshien Stadium with free admission. The Ebisu festival at Nishinomiya Shrine occurs annually in January.
Transport
Three train lines (JR, Hanshin, Hankyu) run through Nishinomiya. The short Imazu Minami line connects Hanshin Imazu and Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi stations. Bus travel north-south can be difficult.
Weather
Best visited late March to early April for cherry blossom viewing at Shukugawa Park with over 2,300 trees along the river.
