Photoshooting tour in Horie area Osaka with a professional photographer

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

A Japanese girl contacted me the beginning of October and she is dancer from Tokyo and want to be taken artist photos. We found good place each before a few days and decided Horie area where we photoshoot. There are many good shops like shoes, street bland clothes and some arts. We met early morning and she was very very cheerful and friendly. I felt like it wasn’t first time to see her.

We went to America-mura area first and took some pictures with pink wall. This back ground we found before a day is very simple and beautiful. I got some nice photos here and moved to Horie area. We checked yellow wall here already and this is also very clean and nice for her artist photos. We talked about photos but not only that, our work, life, Osaka, Tokyo and passion. I really like her way oh thinking and she has big hot passion. She made me want to try many things I want. I would like to see her in Osaka or Tokyo. I am so glad to have met her!:)

Family photoshooting tour in Kyoto Gion area with a professional photographer!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

It is getting cooler in Osaka now and much comfortable than last month. Autumn is big travel season in Japan especially in Kyoto to see Autumn leaves. The beginning of October, very friendly family joined took my tour in Kyoto. The tour is Gion area tour and there are many nice photo spots. They come with very cute girl and she was so good at posing in front of camera. It made us laugh and happy and it was great time thanks of her.

We met at Kimono rental shop first and went to Fushimiinari shrine by taxi. This shrine is the most popular shrine in Japan and it is very crowded every time. Many fox statues are looking us in this shrine and they protect this place from bad things. I took them with many Torii gates and they made from donation. Many Japanese big companies donated and made the Torii gate and then got the power of business, growing company and getting money. Not only tourists, local people and Japanese people come here for praying about that.

After that, We visited in Gion area and took pictures with Yasaka tower. The tower and around this area is very nice places to take pictures. Traditional houses, shrines and many souvenir stores. I got family photos, couple photos, and individual photos as well. It was getting dark and hard to take pictures, So we finished the tour earlier than schedule but I am very happy they like this place and the pictures. We gonna see again in Osaka castle park and hold the photoshooting tour!! I am really looking forward to seeing them again!!

Night photoshooting tour in Namba Osaka, Japan with a professional local photographer!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

Japan is very very excited for the rugby world cup now!! Namba area has many local bar and sports bar and many people went to watch the game and very excited. I went around Namba area last week for Photoshooting and saw many people were excited like that. I am very happy many people come to Japan and become to like Japan and Osaka!

This time was very great photoshooting. The couple joined my tour and they were very funny and super cheerful and I was very surprised because they knew about Japan especially Japanese drama well. We talked about Japanese Dramas and their questions of them were very interesting. Why the couple go to Aquarium in Japanese drama? It seems wired question but a couple in drama usually go to aquarium for dating. I don’t know why but it is very common. I have seen that scenes very often when I watched drama. I think this dating style is Japanese culture Hahaha.

We visited Mandarake where has many Japanese Anime and Manga things in America mura. They like Manga and Anime as well and i like it too. They looked very excited to see some stuffs such as Ultraman and old anime stuffs. We were laughing during the tour and it was really fun. The pictures look very happy and I like their smiles. Photoshooting tour with them was amazing but talking about a lot of things was awesome for me too. I hope see you again and have dinner together next time! Ja-na!!:)

Local area Photoshooting in Osaka with a professional photographer!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

The guy joined my tour yesterday. He is traveling alone and was very polite and friendly and we had great time together. We visited in Sumiyoshi area in Osaka and This area is very local area but I have seen some tourists in last a few years but still not crowded and peaceful area. Sumiyoshi taisha shrine is very large shrine and popular for local Osaka people. A lot of people go there for praying the end of the year and the beginning of the year. We saw many family bring a baby today. It is like a ceremony in Japan when the baby was born.

I took his pictures with Japanese things like Sake casks, couple tree, old buildings, Taikobashi bridge and more. He liked my pictures and I was so happy to hear that. He was very good at posing and his style was really cool. I thought he was like a model whenever I took his pictures. It was very hot morning but very nice day for me. Hope see you again in the future!!

The best friends Photoshooting in Namba, Osaka

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

They are coming from Indonesia and nice characters!! Very friendly and nice guys and girls!! We walked around Namba area in Osaka. I have held Private photo tour in this area many time. It was rain a little but we didn’t care about that and started the tour from Namba station. Usually I holed the tour at night but it is very beautiful day time as well.

We have been Sennichimae and it has many restaurant and Japanese bar Izakaya. Ura-namba area (behind namba area) has many local small Izakaya and workers go there after work often. Many tourists go to Dortobori to have dinner and something but I recommend you Ura-Namba area. We got some pictures with boards of restaurants on narrow street in this area and then went to Hozenji temple. This temple has many lanterns and local people come here and play for health and luck. The big statue has a lot of moss wait for you everytime. You can try to visit when you have time.

Glico sign is Osaka’s landmark and everybody take pictures with. Of course I captured some moments of jumping. They looked very happy and have fun. I really enjoyed with them too. I am looking forward to seeing them again in Osaka!!!:)

Night photoshooting tour in Osaka with nice couples! !

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

They joined my night photo tour last night. It was awesome time and they were super cool and looked like a model while I took their pictures. Someone walked behind us said ‘Kakkoii’ and it means COOL. The pictures was coming very nice and I will show you here some of them.

They are three couples and also long time friends and came from other part of US. Very cheerful and friendly guys made me enjoy and they looked have fun too. I tried to take some kind of pictures like group picture, couple pictures and solo pictures. My favorites are group pictures because they look like a dancing and singer group and very cool. I took them to America-Mura first and it has many wall arts and nice streets. These places are very good for them and I took a lot of pictures there.

I was very happy when I took them to narrow street to Hozenji temple because they looked be interested in it. Many lanterns were waiting for us and this places is very beautiful place and less people than Dotonbori main street. Dotonbori is good place but too crowded for photoshooting.

We enjoyed 90 mins and it was great time. I shared nice bar and restaurants in Namba and hope they enjoy during their travel in Osaka. Thank you so much for taking my tour and see you again!!:)

Surprised proposal Photoshooting tour in Nara park with deers!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in NARA

They were very very nice couple and I had awesome time with them and deers in Nara park!! His name is Deswin and he had a plan to surprise propose to her and told me about that. We talked where and when the best and decided. I suggested Kyoto but he preferred Nara park for photoshooting. I didn’t know why but I was able to know the reason when I met in Nara. His girl friend was so excited to come to Nara because she love animals and that’s why he preferred.

We met at Kintetsu Nara station and visit Naramachi which has many traditional Japanese house and Sarusawa pond. I took their pictures and they practiced how to pose but they didn’t need to practice cause they were already very natural and give their nice smile to lens. They looked can’t wait to feed deers in Nara park. So we got biscuit for deers and walk to deers area. There are a lot of deers and tourists who fed deers already. Deers were so excited because so hungry. We tried feed them but many deers came to them and finished in just a few seconds. I was not able to capture the moment because it was so fast!! We moved to different spot and then see a local guy. He had many nuts for deers and told us how to feed. It was very interesting and I didn’t know how to feed although I have been to Nara park many time. We need to make deers to bow 3 times before feeding. Deers knew they can eat if they bow, So It is not dangerous to feed. After that, Deswin and In in enjoyed to feed and I was able to captures the moments.

Deswin and I was thinking about proposal while we fed deers and we moved to big field area of Nara park. Less people were there than main deers area and it is the best point for proposal I have thought. I made her to turn around and took her back side pictures he prepared a ring during this moment. He called her and she saw the ring and started the happiest time of this Photoshooting tour!! I captured many moments and was very happy to take this big surprised proposal photos!! Deers celebrated them and they looked soooooo happy.

It was very nice day and I am so happy to see them. I hope they come back to Japan and see them again!!! Thank you for taking my tour!!!!! Congratulations!!!

Morning and Night time Photoshooting tour with a professional photographer in Osaka!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

The nice guy booked 2 tours are morning tour and night time tour in Osaka. I met him first time at Sumiyoshitaisha station. This tour is local area tour around Sumiyoshitaisha shrine and it was less people this area because we started early morning. We walked famous bridge which is called Taikobashi. Taiko means drum and Bashi means bridge in Japanese because this bridge reflections on the water and then looks like drum. So this is called Taikobashi for long time around this area.

Sumiyoshitaisha shrine has very very long history and it is over 1,000 years. I was born and raised around here and you know this shrine is my favorite shrine. It has some small shrines, natures, power stones spots and wild animals. I took his photos a lot with big tree, old orange buildings, and it was great time for us!! And we see at night again for photo tour in Namba area.

At 7pm, I was waiting for him and another guy join my tour as well. They were coming on time and the night photoshooting tour was started. We talked about many things along the way to photo spots. Especially we all like K-POP and talked about Blackpink a lot. I took them to Dotonbori, Namba area, Hozenji temple, Glico sign bill board, Sennichimae, Ura-Namba area and Shinsaibashisuji Shopping street. We had nice time and they were very friendly and nice guys!! I recommend them some restaurants I have been very often during this photoshooting tour. I was born and raised in Osaka and love to eat, So I know a lot of good restaurants are not touristy. I will tell you some great restaurants like Tempura, Udon, Ra-men, Sushi, Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki and sweets.

Thank you so much for taking my tour twice and I was very happy he likes the photos I took. Hope see you again!!:)

Night Phtoshooting tour in Dotonbori area in Namba, Osaka with a Professional Photographer!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

It is still hot in Osaka but much better at night time. I have held Night photoshooting tour in Namba area such as Amerika-Mura, Dotonbori, Hozenji temple and Ura-Namba area. Very friendly family joined the tour in August. Parents have been to Japan before but their son and his girl friend have never been. I showed them great Osaka night sceneries and take to some spots.

Mandarake in America-mura has many Manga, character figure and Anime goods. Especially the boy is interested in this shop and he knew about Japanese Manga well. Actually I have read many Manga from when I was child and like it still now. We talked about it and it was great time for us. His girl friend has learned fashion and she was very good at posing. Mom wanted to try colorful cotton candy and they enjoyed it. I captured some of the moment and they looked very fun. Dad was very unique and very friendly. I really liked this family and I had great time with them. I was very happy because they liked all places I took them and all pictures. We promised see again in US and I am looking forward to seeing them!! Thank you for taking my tour and giving me great time!!

Engagement Photoshooting tour in Gion, Kyoto

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

The tour was held the beginning of September, but it was like summer day and so hot and humid. So we were worrying before starting the tour. But we were able to walk around Gion area and got many good pictures.

We met at Kimono rental shop after they changed to Yukata (Summer style Japanese traditional clothes). They chose nice color such as purple, pink and navy. Girls are sisters and younger sister was proposed by her fiance. So this tour was engagement photoshooting tour in Kyoto for them. Actually older sisiter took my tour in Osaka before a week and we already made friends. younger sister and her fiance were very nice couple and very friendly, So we was able to get closer easily.

We visited in Yasui Kompira shrine where has big power of relationship. I explained them about this shrine and why many Japanese girls came here. I would like my guests to know some Japanese culture, Not only taking pictures. After this place, we went to Yasaka tower and Kongoji temple has many colorful wish balls and explained about it too. I was very happy because they were very interested in Japanese cultures. I got many engagement pictures at these places and they were very beautiful. Ninenzaka has many souvenir shops and one of them is Starbucks. This Starbucks looks traditional Japanese house but you can have coffee and some drinks and snacks like other Starbucks. They were interested in it and I took some photos with this Starbucks. Around this shop, they found Studio GHIBLI shop and actually I am big fun of this and they are too. We were very excited and took pictures with big TOTORO. We walked around Ishibekoji and Maruyama park and I took some pictures of engagement ring. It was so beautiful and became one of my favorite picture.

It was very fun time and I would like to see them again!! Thank you for taking my tour!!!

Family photoshoot tour with professional photographer in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

It has just began autumn rainy season in Japan. It was rain in Osaka and Kyoto many time last a week. We were supposed to hold the photoshooting tour in Arashiyama but it was heavy rain, So we changed date and time to next day. We met at JR Saga Arashiyama station and it was sunny day rather than hot day. They are very nice family, Mom, Dad and 2 kids. They were very easy to communicate and got closer easily.

I took them to Bamboo grove first. It took about 10 min walk from JR Saga Arashiyama station. There aren’t crowded so much because we went go there in the morning. It was nice weather to walk and take pictures. I took a lot of pictures of family, only parents, only kids and Jump shots. I was very glad because they liked the pictures. After that, we were heading to Seiryoji temple. This is my favorite place because we can see beautiful buildings such as traditional tower, large temple, gate. Not only that, Many autumn leaves in November and December, large hanging Cherry blossoms in March and April. These trees were right green when we visited and they were so beautiful too.

We walked for long time and kids looked tired a little. So Mom and Dad got some smoothes for them and they got energy for photoshooting a more hour. Kimono forest, along river with Arashiyama mountains, Togetsukyo bridge, We were able to take pictures many places after that. I was so happy because they looked enjoying my tour and liked the pictures. Thank you for taking my tour and see you again!!

Surprised proposal photoshoot in Osaka castle park

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

It was great day and very big day for them and me. A girl planed to surprise proposal her boyfriend and we made a plan to do it during photoshooting tour in Osaka castle park. I was supposed to capture the moments but they already finished proposal in Tokyo Disney land. Because he had a plan to propose her as well and he did there. That’s awesome!! So I was not able to capture the moment but we had great time in Osaka castle park and got many great shots.

It was very hot day even though it is almost end of summer. It has been raining last sew days and I was worrying about it but it was great sunny day on that day. I saw them at Morinomiya station and started photoshooting tour from there and I took their photos at many spots. They were very very natural in front of the camera and it was easy to capture some moments. They did everything I got some ideas and it was so fun. We got many nice photos like jump shot, she did propose posing, wall of Osaka castle, piggy back and many style.

They looked so happy and made me happy while we talked. We kept talking when we walk to next photo spots and I felt like it isn’t first time to see them. We will be able to see in Osaka or LA for sure. I am very happy to take their pictures and became good friends. Thank you so much for taking my tour and giving me great time!!

Family Photoshooting in Osaka

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

Nice family photoshooting in Osaka castle park in the daytime and Namba area at night.

That was awesome day. I had a reservation for family photoshooting in Osaka and I was so excited for this booking. Because they joined the photoshooting tour in Kyoto last summer and I was so happy to see them in Osaka again!! They were so friendly and nice family and it was very very easy to have communication if my English was not natural. A girl was so cute and I remember that we played with bubble at park in Kyoto during Kyoto tour. I took many good pictures of her and I was so happy because she liked the pictures. After the tour, we had lunch together at Tenka Ippin has good Tonkotsu Ramen and talked about each other more. They came from Hawaii and I love Hawaii soooooo much!! The story they told me about Hawaii life was very interesting for me and it made me want to live there. The girl was learned Hula at school and she showed me it. It was amazing and she was great at dancing!! She made us smile and it was so happy lunch time and Photoshooting day.That’s why I was so excited for Photoshooting in Osaka with them!!!

We had a plan to meet at Morinomiya station is the nearest station to visit Osaka castle and I took subway to Morinomiya station. Someone sat next to me before a few stations from Morinomiya station. I was super surprised because they it was them!! It was miracle!! We were able to see before meeting point and so surprised and glad to see each other again!! They looked very good and the girl has grown up!! It has began great day already in the subway. We walked in Osaka castle park and took a lot of pictures. Cherry blossoms season had done before a month already but we was able to see many Azaleas. Osaka castle park has many Azaleas everywhere and we got many pictures with them. It was so beautiful Japanese scenery in May. After an hour from we arrived in Osaka castle park, we moved to Namba area for Night photoshooting and having dinner together.

I wanted them to eat great foods in Osaka and thought which one is the best for them. I have many recommendations restaurants in Osaka because I LOVE to eat. I decided on what to eat and it was Tempura restaurant Daikichi in Namba. This restaurant is not expensive but they serve us fresh off the kitchen and it is sooooooo delicious. Many Japanese people go there but I haven’t seen tourists so much because it is a little a way from a central of Nmaba I guess. That’s why I thought this restaurant is the best. We were supposed to enjoy and have fresh Tempra together but this restaurant was closed on that day. I was terribly about this for them. And I was thinking 2nd choice and we went Udon restaurant where close from Tempra restaurant. I have been this Udon restaurant very often with my friends. Daddy have never had Udon before and it was good opportunity for him and the girl said she likes Udon. We ordered many Udon and I was glad because we were able to order Tempura as well!! Hahaha!! Please try Tempura Daikichi in Namba if you have time and want to have real fresh tempura.

After having dinner, We were going to Namba area for taking pictures with night sceneries. The city has become changing from a day time and was beautiful. I took them to some nice photo spots and took many photos like family, solo and only parents pictures. It was very crowded in Dotonbori area but they looked enjoy and it made me very happy. Especially they liked bright buildings and I got nice photos with them. It was great time and we enjoyed together.

I really had awesome time with them for Photoshooting. But not only taking pictures, we talked about a lot of things which life in Hawaii, my works, school life of her and more. I was enjoying while I was together with them and they made me want to go to Hawaii. I really want even writing about this tour now hahaha. I will stay their house when I visit Hawaii next time and take their picture with beautiful ocean and sky of Hawaii. I am looking forward to seeing them so much. Thank you very much for giving me great memories!!!:)

Surprised proposal Photoshooting in Kyoto

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

Surprised proposal Photoshooting in Kyoto, 2019!!

I have taken surprised proposal photos many times. Please check these blog if you want to see my works of it. I will write the surprised proposal photoshooting tour in Spring, 2019. It was cherry blossoms season in Kyoto and very comfortable weather and many people came to Japan to see beautiful full blooming Cherry blossoms. A nice guy contacted me about surprised proposal photoshooting for his partner. I thought it is great time to propose her with Cherry blossoms and pictures must be beautiful and awesome. We talked about how to make her surprise and I checked where is the best place for proposal. The place I chose is Maruyama park because it has big Cherry blossom tree in the park and there are not usually so many people. We prepared and made a route and schedule together. And the day has come…

We met at Inari station is the nearest station to Fushimiinari shrine. They wore Japanese Kimono for this Photoshooting and It looked good on them. First impression of them was very happy and both of them have nice smile. We walked to inside of the shrine and I explained them about Fushimiinari. This shrine has power of business and the most popular shrine for tourists. Many companies in Japan donated to this shrine and made Torii gate to get the power of business and grow it. You can see some sentences on the gate and they are donated date and name of company or people donated. I was very glad because they were interested in everything which I explained about Fushimiinari shrine. They were very nice my students Hahaha. I took their pictures with many Torii gates but many tourists visited there and took pictures with gates too, So We needed to wait to get to take pictures are nobody on background. The pictures are very beautiful and great because they were so natural in front of camera. Red gates and their kimonos are good for Photoshooting too!!

After Fushimiinari shrine, We moved to Gion area by Keihan train. It took about 7-10 mins and not so far. I recommend this route to everyone who have a plan to visit in good places of Kyoto. Gion area had many Cherry blossoms then and we could see them as soon as got at Gion Shijyo station. It was very crowded there because of Cherry blossoms but was very beautiful scene. We walked Gion Shirakawa and get to Yasui Kompira shrine. This shrine has defferent power as Fushimiinari shrine and it is power of relationship. I have seen a long line is made by Japanese girls because the shrine is very popular to pray to get good relationship and without bad relationship. Especially on weekend, A lot of girls (not only girls) came this place and prayed. My customers didn’t need to pray because they already had great relationship. After this place, We visited many spots like the tower of Yasaka and Kongoji temple has many colorful balls which were written wishes on it, Ishibekoji street where is very traditional and narrow one and Yasaka shrine. Finally we were at Maruyama park where he propose her…

Maruyama park has many cherry blossoms and we saw many people around every Cherry blossoms trees. I took them to a place away from the entrance of the park. A big hanging cherry blossom tree waited for us. I think he was very nervous then. I took some picture of them and told her ‘I will take your back solo photos’ and then he prepared a ring while a moment. I made her to turn around and then she saw him has the ring. She looked very surprised and cried and said ‘Yes’ after he asked her ‘Could you marry me?’. It was awesome moment and I could take many pictures and they looked super happy on every pictures. They hugged many time and other people looked this proposal celebrated them. Everybody was very happy around the hanging Cherry blossoms tree. We got many pictures with the ring and their happy pictures with Cherry blossoms. After that went to Yasaka shrine and took pictures a little more.

The day was big day for them and it was great memories for me too. I am checking their instagram and they look so happy in their home. Surprise proposal is very important because a time in life. I would be happy to help people have a plan to surprise propose in Japan. I love taking pictures of the moment. Please check tour page and contact me if you are interested in it.

Thank you and Congratulation!!!!