Pictures from Japan may often seem like a fairy tale – monkeys bathing in hot springs surrounded by clouds of snow, cherry blossoms that cover the whole country in light pink hues, wild animals wandering freely through towns, never-ending bamboo stems reaching to the sky, mysterious temples and shrines in deep forests, girls in kimonos walking through traditional streets of old Kyoto and I could continue like this forever. best photography spots in osaka
But let’s be frank, Osaka is not a beautiful city, at least not at the first sight. Yes, there are some undeniably cool spots, but in its core, it is a concrete jungle where you will not find serene alleys with wooden houses like in Kyoto, or free roaming deer like in Nara. Osaka suffered during the WW II., and many buildings were completely destroyed, however, the city raised from the ashes and was rebuilt very quickly. As a result, it is very urban and a little bit random, but if you give it a chance, it will reveal some of its picture-perfect places for you! Here are some of my favorites.
Osaka Castle and Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Castle is the most beautiful building in the city and one of the most iconic castles of Japan. The castle is visually stunning, towering proudly in the middle of Osaka and it gives you great views over the city skyline. The best angle to take photos is right in front of it, so you can see it in its full glory, or from the little in Zen Garden on the left side (if you are coming in from the main entrance). best photography spots in osaka
Osaka Castle, also known as Osaka-jo in Japanese, is surrounded by a lovely large park, with countless possibilities for walks, jogging or picnics. I don’t have to tell you that it is particularly beautiful in spring during the cherry blossom season. There are more than 5000 cherry trees in the park that make the whole area seem like a dream and even though the cherry blossom season is the most popular time of the year and many Japanese and international tourists come there, the park is so vast that you will still get a chance to find a quiet place for your pictures.
Hidden Alleys of Namba
Namba is one of the two biggest and busiest stations in Osaka and you most probably won’t avoid it when visiting this city. It is not only a station, but the whole maze of covered shopping arcades, shopping malls, underground eateries and there’s also a park and a garden on its roof! The area around Namba has a long history and famous Dotombori is also located nearby. Once you are exploring this area, keep your eyes open for small hidden back alleys, called yokocho in Japanese. You will discover a different, calmer and more authentic world of old Osaka, where it feels like the time just stopped. My favourite alley is called Hozenji Yokocho, where you can also find small mysterious Hozenji Temple with moss-covered statues. best photography spots in osaka
Shinsekai
Shinsekai is an up-and-coming neighbourhood located on the south of Osaka, just couple hundred metres away from Shin-Imamiya station. Its main feature is Tsutenkaku Tower which resembles a little bit of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The streets surrounding the tower are studded with neon lights, lanterns, street food stalls, cafes and restaurants that make a picture-perfect backdrop to your photos.
Tsutenkaku Tower has several observation decks that are worth visiting. The first one is called Golden Observation Platform and it truly feels like a kingdom of gold at sunset! Right under is Purple Platform with very party vibes and disco balls hanging from the ceiling, and if you take the steps down instead of an elevator, you will go through an open-air Japanese garden. The ticket to the top costs only 800 yen (about 8 USD). If you decide to visit Shinsekai, check out my older article HERE about how to spend here a fun evening in the area.
Katsuo-ji Temple
Tucked away in the mountains on the north of Osaka, Katsuo-ji Temple is a beautiful, mystical Buddhist temple that makes a lovely half-day trip. The first thing that welcomes you is a magnificent entrance followed by a koi pond. As you are walking down the bridge, hidden smoke machines get to work to create a dreamy atmosphere surrounding you. It is truly amazing! best photography spots in osaka
The temple grounds are quite large, hidden in the hills and dark green forest. As you begin to explore you will notice countless Daruma dolls everywhere around the temple, to bring good fortune to those who left them there. Neither to say, Katsuo-ji is a very special place.
Umeda Sky Building
Umeda Sky Building is one of the most distinguished buildings in Osaka and a true architectural gem. This unique skyscraper features an outdoor observation deck that is hanging in the middle of two separate buildings. It doesn’t only give you amazing views over the city and Osaka Bay from the top, but its unusual appearance looks great as a picture backdrop too. The building is surrounded by little gardens on both sides and a large wall overgrown with flowers and plants.
Dotonbori
Dotonbori is the liveliest and the most colorful part of Osaka! Besides the canal and the main street with all the neon lights, it’s also hiding many back alleys with unique atmosphere and photo opportunities. Dotonbori is an unmissable part of Osaka and if there is only one place you have time to visit, it should be Dotonbori! Once you are here, don’t forget to sample some Japanese street food takoyaki – little fried octopus balls, Japanese crunchy pancake okonomiyaki, or some of the many types of bubble tea sold in the street food stalls on every corner.
Hirakata T-Site
If you like unique bookshops, you are going to love Hirakata T-Site. Located on the north of Osaka, almost half-way to Kyoto, this interesting shopping mall is hiding inside 7 metres tall shelves packed with books. Beside this ‘insta-worthy’ wall, you can find here many original Japanese souvenirs, clothes of local brands, great food and a café that serves the fluffiest pancakes. If weather is not playing in your favour one day, this is your place to go!
Only one train stop away from the T-Site, there’s also a vintage old-school amusement park. Parks like this one are slowly disappearing in Japan because they are replaced by Disneyland or Universal Studios. It is a very unique and unusual thing to do in Osaka.
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Hidden among tall buildings of busy Namba, you will notice at the first glance that this tiny shrine is different among the others. Its main feature is a giant lion head that serves as a podium of occasional traditional lion dance performances held in the shrine, but when it’s not in use, it is a great and novel photo spot. Namba Yasaka Shrine is a like a little oasis in the big city and I recommend visiting it when you are in the Namba area. best photography spots in osaka
The 33 Tea and Bar Terrace
If you are looking for a cool place for brunch that serves both Japanese and international dishes, good coffee and fresh juices, The 33 Tea and Bar Terrace is the prefect option. Located within walking distance from Osaka Station, besides delicious food, this place will also serve you stunning views over the business district that are free of charge! If you are visiting Osaka over the weekend or in peak season, I would recommend you to book a table in advance to make sure you will get a spot by the tall windows. You can do so on their website or you can call them, they have English speaking staff that is always willing to help. best photography spots in osaka
Nakanoshima Island
Nakanoshima Island is a 3 km long sandbank surrounded by the Dojima and Tosahori Rivers. It’s located between Fukushima and Kita area (Osaka Station area) with many governmental, commercial and business buildings, however, Nakanoshima itself acts like a small retreat, a green oasis set in the concrete jungle. You can find here some cool museums, a rose garden, parks to have picnic in, cafes and it is connected by several bridges with great views over the skyline. best photography spots in osaka
The most interesting buildings in Nakanoshima are Osaka Central Public Hall that was constructed in 1913, and the Prefectural Library. From the museums you shouldn’t miss The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, National Museum of Art and Science Museum with many hands-on exhibits. The most photogenic bridges are Naniwa Bridge with great skyline views and Barazono Bridge that connects the rose gardens. If you get thirsty after all day walking and taking pictures, head to the 40 Sky Bar and Lounge in the Conrad Hotel for some refreshing cocktails and delicious snacks.
Abeno Harukas
Abeno Harukas is the tallest skyscraper in Japan with an epic observation deck, called Harukas 300 on the 60th floor. Tall, floor-to-ceiling windows are surrounding the platform in full circumference so anywhere you stand, you have always the best view wide and far. The ticket to the top costs 1500 yen (around 15 USD), but if you travel on budget and wouldn’t like to spend too much money, take the elevator up to the 16th floor, where you will find an open-air garden overlooking the city that is free of charge. best photography spots in osaka
Abeno Harukas is located next to the Tennoji Station on the south of Osaka. Tennoji Park, right at the skyscraper’s base, is full of lovely cafes and restaurants. In the summer, some of them will pack you a hamper with a blanket and food so you can have a picnic on the lawn. For Insta-perfect interiors and delicious desserts, pay a visit to the Spoonbill café.
Shitennoji Temple
Shitennoji Temple is the oldest, officially administrated Buddhist temple in Japan. Its large grounds hide plenty of photo opportunities, not only of the main pagoda, but also Zen garden, turtle ponds, or weekend markets. Just like Abeno Harukas, the temple’s closest station is Tennoji. You can make a whole day out of exploring this area in Osaka, and in the evening head to Shinsekai which is also walking distance from here (about 1 km).
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
Last, but not least, place on my list is a vast park on the east of Osaka. Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park is rich with flowers that bloom throughout the whole year – from cherry blossoms, through tulips to roses, there’s always a flower in bloom in any season. The park is divided to different parts, each representing different country with plants typical for the region. There’s also a big pond and a botanical garden with covered greenhouse in case of a rainy day. The park is particularly beautiful in spring, as there are thousands of sakura trees; and in autumn when all the maple trees change color. My favorite place in this park, however, is a flower field with a Dutch windmill. The entrance to the park is free and the closest metro station is called Tsurumi-Ryokuchi. You will get there by light-green Nagahori-Tsurumi-Ryokuchi line. best photography spots in osaka
Extra Tips for Visiting Osaka
Here are some few quick tips when visiting Osaka for a short term. If you are interested in more information about this city, and Japan in general, check out my older articles here and here, where I sum up every little detail I have learned during my life in Japan. For more places to visit around Osaka, check out my article about 16 best things to do here on your visit.
Best time to visit
Best time to visit Osaka, or Japan in general, are undoubtedly autumn and spring. The cherry blossom season in Kansai area starts at the end of March, with the flowers being in full bloom at the beginning of April. This time of the year can be still quite cold, so if seeing cherry blossoms in Japan is your dream, don’t forget to pack layers.
Autumn in Kansai starts later than the rest of the world. The best autumn foliage can be seen at the end of November and beginning of October. November is still pleasantly warm, even warmer than April and I personally prefer autumn over spring in Japan. Keep in mind, that these two seasons are the busiest times of the year.
If you prefer lesser people, I would recommend May or October when it is nice and hot, yet it is out of the peak. January and February are also a time to consider as those months are usually with least amounts of international visitors, but it can get pretty cold (never under 0 degrees of Celsius though). I would personally recommend avoiding August, when it gets really hot and humid. July and September are significant with heavy rains and occasional typhoons.
Getting around Osaka
The most convenient way to get around the city is using public transport. Taxis are generally very expensive in Japan, for example a ride from Kansai airport to the city can cost you from 200 to 500 USD and the drivers cannot speak English very well. The public transportation system in Osaka can be overwhelming at first, but if you follow the signs at the stations, it is not so difficult to navigate. There are seven train lines operating around Osaka and nearby cities, plus there are eight metro lines. The most useful train for visitors is JR Osaka Loop Line. The metro lines are distinguished by different colors and they have commentary in English so you always know your stop. best photography spots in osaka
An important thing to keep in mind is that you have to change the station when changing a train line. Here is an example: you want to go to Kyoto and Google Maps tells you that you should take a Keihan line from Kyobashi Station. You get to Kyobashi with JR Loop Line, but if you want to take Keihan, you have to exit the JR Kyobashi station, buy a separate Keihan ticket and enter Keihan Kyobashi station, that is right next to it. The same applies if you want to change train to metro (if you are changing metro lines, you don’t have to change stations). I found this very confusing when I firstly arrived to Osaka, so don’t forget – different line means different station and a different ticket.
Where to stay
The best areas to stay in Osaka are nearby main train stations – Osaka/Umeda Station or Namba. Other good place to stay is nearby Osaka Castle, which is a little bit quieter and relaxed, or Tennoji on the south of Osaka. When it comes to type of accommodation, Osaka has everything from capsule hotels, through traditional Japanese inns – ryokans, to 5* hotels.
ATMs
Japan is a country of cash and even though debit and credit cards are becoming more and more common, not all places accept them and especially not international ones. ATMs in Japan can be quite old-school and not all of them accept cards of different banks. Your best shot to withdraw cash are 7 Elevens. You can find a 7 Eleven almost on every street and they also have personalized ATMs that stand separately on some train stations. Their menu is also displayed in English. best photography spots in osaka
Animal cafes
Animal cafes are very popular in Japan, and I saw people on several international websites recommending them to their readers. Of course, having a cute picture for Instagram with an owl, Shiba-Inu dog, fox, lizard or hedgehog may seem fun at first, but there is a harsh reality behind them.
Animals in such “shelters/cafes” are abused daily. They don’t get any fresh air, they are cramped in tiny places with thousands of cameras pointed in their faces, and million people touching them. They are stressed and sick and they don’t even get a proper veterinary treatment. The owners simply let them die when they get ill, because taking them to a doctor is expensive and they have a business to run (it sounds unbelievable, but is it true). I would like to ask you to avoid such places and not to support this type of “entertainment” when travelling in Japan. In Osaka, where I live, I’ve seen countless of these cafes and it simply makes me so sad. Moreover (and this may shock you), I’ve read an interview with a former employee of such a place and she was saying they had only one sink and cupboard in the backroom, where they were preparing mice for owls together with fancy expensive lattes for customers. You honestly, don’t want that. best photography spots in osaka
I have been living in Osaka for year and a half now, and I love the city to its core. It’s though, very urban, and it’s far from modern, but it has the best food, nicest people and unique atmosphere. I know many travelers tend to skip Osaka during their trip to Japan, or just use it as an airport to get to Kyoto, but I dare to say it’s a mistake! Osaka has a lot to offer and I hope this little guide proved it.
Have you been to Japan before? Have you visited also Osaka? Or would you like to go? Please let me know, I am curious!
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