Osaka, the heartbeat of Kansai! The area attracts many people for various reasons; business districts, countless restaurants, shopping districts, industrial sites, traditional neighborhoods, etc. It is also a hub for domestic and international travelers, as Osaka’s Kansai International Airport and major Shinkansen lines run through the city. While the old neighborhood of Tondabayashi Koshoji Betsuin and the beautiful Nakanoshima Sandbank location is not particularly well known to most international visitors, they offer so much for the avid photographer and will be reviewed in this guide. After many years of experience in Osaka, photographing many visitors and residents, I will review the top places now with the following ranking system….
Ranking Key:
A +/- Highly recommended / Must Visit
B +/- Recommended / Visit if time permits
C +/- Average recommendation / Visit if nearby and time permits
D +/- Cannot recommend
LOCATION 1 - OSAKA CASTLE
This famous historical landmark is well known to almost all visitors to Osaka. While the castle is remarkable from a distance and extraordinary to be used as a backdrop, you can get some incredible shots from so many different angles, so don't be afraid to explore up close. The grounds are lush with greenery in warmer months, cherry blossoms in the spring, and a lot of beige/brown vegetation on the castle grounds in the winter. Integrating those backgrounds with the traditional Japanese architecture and the elements of wood, stone, and traditional metalwork found all over Osaka Castle will be a solid foundation for amazing photos! Be forewarned, though, that during the peak days of Cherry Blossom season, the castle can get quite packed near the trees, but don't let the crowds deter you; with a bit of patience, there will always be fantastic spots open to get some shots in. The Castle grounds are extensive and can easily accommodate several thousand people. One downside is the castle's interior. The museum is less than impressive - the narrow stairs and jam-packed common areas are not worth the time and expense to visit unless you have your heart set on seeing the views from the top of the castle. I have found time and time again, after so many visits up to the top, that there are no practical opportunities for photos, as even the views are obstructed by mesh wiring at the top, so if you want unobstructed views of Osaka for your photos you are much better off at Umeda Sky Building. This area is recommended for portrait, couples, modeling, and engagement photo sessions.
For personal photography (on your own): A
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): A
LOCATION 2 - DOTONBORI
This place is always alive, perhaps too busy! The area is a colorful combination of neon lights and many business advertisements that will overwhelm the visual senses. Residents and visitors from all over can be found here day and night. There is always a bright moment in Dotonbori, and there are always plenty of places to grab a drink or a bite to eat. This area is cluttered and noisy but oh so wonderful! This makes for your camera to never be put away during your visit, have it always ready to get some great shots! When taking portraits, instead of trying to get photos with no one else except your subject, you should embrace the elements here and get the pictures you want to take with people in the background. You can mask their faces with a slower shutter speed or create a heavier bokeh to make people in the background into creamy obscure blurs.
For personal photography (on your own): A+
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): A
LOCATION 3 - TENNOJI
The ward of Tennoji is home to Shitenno-ji, regarded as the first Buddhist temple in Japan, although the temple has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. The grounds of the famous temple and the surrounding area undoubtedly have historical significance but not great photographic importance. The temple has been rebuilt recently, so it does not have that old weathered ambiance that would make it particularly appealing as a backdrop for exciting photos. The exception would be the gardens in the northeast area of Shintenno-ji, where you can get some great shots. Although, if your goal is beautiful temples and gardens, you should go to Kyoto, and you can read my guide about Kyoto by visiting my other website Kyoto Photographer. When considering the greater ward of Tennoji, however, there are other places worth visiting - Isshinji Temple and the Tennoji Park nearby certainly offer some great opportunities for some shots.
For personal photography (on your own): C-
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): C+
LOCATION 4 - UMEDA
This is a great location to get “me in the city” style photos! Tall buildings and beautiful architecture surround this area. You can get it all here, from graffiti under the train overpasses at Umeda Station to modern steel and glass from so many buildings. Several buildings in the area have a classical flair, like the Hankyu Department store building. Just a few short minutes away are several streets with smaller and older buildings hosting small businesses. Many of these smaller streets are great for getting some street photography or use as a backdrop for portraits. You can experiment quickly with lighting in Umeda because there are so many tall buildings around, so there are always areas with much shade. This makes planning for certain types of photo sessions easy and predictable as opposed to a wide-open space with little opportunity to have foreseeable lighting conditions. Some notable areas in the Umeda area are the Umeda Sky Building for great unobstructed views of Osaka (perfect for panorama shots). The Tenjimbashi-suji shopping street/arcade is for an eclectic mix of some vintage post-WWII shops that have stood the test of time. You can take a trip back in time just by walking through that street and taking in all that history while getting some great photos. This area is recommended for individual portrait and modeling photo sessions.
For personal photography (on your own): A
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): B
LOCATION 5 - SOUTH OSAKA / SAKAI
If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city and break away to a peaceful and tranquil area, then Sumiyoshi Taisha (Shrine) is a good option. The beautiful bright colors of the shrine make for an excellent photographic subject. Another location in this area is Daisen Park, located in Sakai. The Japanese Gardens are lovely here, and if your timing is right and you can make it here during Cherry Blossom season, you will be pleasantly rewarded. But no matter which season you can go, Daisen Park provides plenty of opportunities to get some scenic shots while enjoying the tranquility of a Japanese garden. This area is recommended for portrait and couples photo sessions.
For personal photography (on your own): B+
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): C+
LOCATION 6 - TONDABAYASHI KOSHOJI BETSUIN
Ready to go off the beaten path? Head to this magnificent temple located in southern Osaka in the city of Tondabayashi, this hidden gem of a Buddhist temple is mainly unknown to foreign visitors but trust me when I tell you this is the place to go to add some fantastic photography to your portfolio. This location is one of the best places for a portrait photo session in south Osaka. Be sure to explore the area on foot, as there are some hidden gems, like the Former Sugiyamas' Residence. Tondabayashi Koshoji Betsuin was built about 460 years ago, the temple is kept up magnificently well, and the small neighborhood surrounding it is pristine. Tondabayashi Koshoji Betsuin is officially listed as an "Important Cultural Property" of Japan. This area is recommended for portrait, couples, and engagement photo sessions. It can be a bit hard to find, so feel free to copy and paste the following address into your phone to help navigate you:
〒584-0033 大阪府富田林市富田林町13-18
For personal photography (on your own): A
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): A
LOCATION 7 - HONMACHI / UTSUBO PARK
I coupled the two different spots for location #7 as they are very near and act as a beautiful contrast. This is because Honmachi is in the center of Osaka and a great spot to get portraits with tall buildings in the background or just some street shots while you explore. Just west of the Honmachi district is Utsubo Park, a wonderfully located park that offers wide open areas to enjoy green space right in the center of Osaka. During the fall foliage season in Osaka, you can see some wonderful Japanese maple trees creating their magic here! This area is recommended for portrait and couples photo sessions.
For personal photography (on your own): B-
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): B
LOCATION 8 - MINOH FALLS
This location is a superb getaway from the endless excitement that defines urban Osaka. For first-time visitors to Osaka, it can be a mind-boggling experience for those who aren’t used to being in a big Japanese city. Especially in areas like Dotonbori, where it seems like the action is just non-stop. To escape all this, Minoh Falls is an excellent choice. Only 30 min or so drive from Umeda, visitors to these falls will find themselves teleported to beautiful nature. While I recommend visiting during the fall foliage season as it is a well-known viewing spot, even during the summer, it is well worth a visit. Although getting to Minoh Falls will need one to hike about 3km to reach the main viewing point, it is an easy 3km for a reasonably fit person, and along the way, there are some temples to stop and get some shots at. Be forewarned that it does get pretty crowded during fall foliage season, but this should not deter you from visiting. With a bit of patience, you will undoubtedly be able to get some beautiful photos out of it! Recommended for landscape and portrait photography sessions.
For personal photography (on your own): B+
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): B
LOCATION 9 - BANPAKU MEMORIAL PARK / EXPO'70 COMMEMORATIVE
This massive 260-acre park is a must-visit if you want to get away from Osaka’s big city environment and enjoy some beautiful scenery. This park has it all! There is something for everyone here, from museums, well-maintained walking paths, a historical “Tower of the Sun” sculpture, boat rentals, scenic ponds, gentle creeks, Japanese gardens, tea houses, kids playgrounds, an arboretum, indoor and outdoor onsen (hot springs), etc. The opportunities to get great photos at Banpaku Memorial Park are, without a doubt, very easy. There are beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring, breathtaking fall foliage, and greenery in the summer months that is lush. Perhaps only in the winter months would I not recommend a visit here. There is a very modest entrance fee that is a real bargain. This park is recommended for portrait and couples photo sessions.
For personal photography (on your own): B+
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): B-
LOCATION 10 - OSAKA NAKANOSHIMA SANDBANK
There is a lot to explore on this 3 km long sandbank! From the Rose Garden, Osaka City Hall, Osaka Prefectural Library, Nakanoshima-Shikinooka Park, and so many more notable buildings that can serve as a lovely backdrop for some great photos. If fact, there is so much here that several hours will be necessary; this is ideally a half-day location. This is also a good location for a scenic city-side backdrop across the river. I recommend this location starting a few hours before sunset and shooting right into sunset time, and you can get some great “golden hour” shots in this area. Overall, it is a fantastic location highly recommended for portraits, couples, modeling, and engagement photo sessions.
For personal photography (on your own): A
For professional photo shoots (bookings with me): A