Hi!! It’s been a while since I wrote an article last time. The virus is still spreading in the world. It is getting better in Osaka and people go out to the city like a Dotombori area and Umeda area. I have been staying home still now but I met my friends last weekend in Namba area. We saw a lot of people walked in a main shopping street of Namba area and then thought they have stayed home for long time, So could come to the city finally. We couldn’t see friends and family who don’t live together for longtime and are getting better now slowly.
Universal Studios Japan has just pre-opened before 10days but only for Osaka people who have annual passes. I am the people and have been there last week with my friends and wore a mask. Much much less people there than usual and I didn’t need to wait to get almost all rides. It was very easy to enjoy in USJ!! But my friends and I felt a little sad because so many tourists came here and they looked happy whenever we came. We had to wait in long lines but what it should be. Restaurants and shops are opening now and people have dinner and lunch there. Of course we have to keep our distances and wear masks when we eat. We got used to wearing masks and covering our mouths in trains and outside where it’s’ crowded.
I hope we can go out and see people without having to worry about something soon. Thank you for checking my webpage and I will keep writing articles.
Now, The thing is very serious all over the world. We have to stay home and can only see friends in laptop screen. I hope everyone stay safe and heathy and the virus goes away soon. For people all over the world staying home and fighting the virus. Full blooming cherry blossoms to keep you company from the comfort of your own home.
I haven’t had any booking this Cherry blossoms season because of the virus and can’t write about Photoshooting. I have wanted to write an article about foods in Osaka which I have had very often. Osaka has many great foods and restaurants but some of them aren’t well known but locals love it. I will tell you some popular foods and restaurants whrere have English menu on this article. I hope this blog helps your travel in Osaka after the virus disappears.
1, Wanaka (Takoyaki) This shop is very very popular for tourists but locals like it as well. I go this place and have Takoyaki with my friends after drinking. Namba area has some Wanaka shops and you can find nearest one from you if you search on google map. The one by Namba grand Kagetsu theater have seat and table, So you can have Takoyaki with beer in the shop. You can choose flavor of sauce such as soy sauce, salt and with soup and I recommend you their original sauce. It is very tasty and you can feel like local Osaka people if you have it after drinking. I had some Takoyaki in Namba and Takaoyakki Wanaka is the best for me. Takoyaki 8 piece: ¥450 / 12 piece: ¥600 / 15 piece: ¥700
出典：TRAVEL STAR
出典：TRAVEL STAR
2, Daikichi (Tempura) Just 5min walk from Nankai Namba station. Tempura is very popular Japanese foods and one of what you should eat in Japan. Daikichi is Tempura restaurant and they make very fresh and soooooooo good tempura. They serve you tempura and Tentsuyu(Tempura sauce). We dip tempura in Tentsuyu and eat it. You should try it and then must feel like you want to live in Japan. Hahaha!! They have lunch menu such as Tempura rice bowl and tempura plate. Of course you can drink with Tempura at night too. Clam soup is very tasty and you should order it if you want. Please try the best tempura in Namba. You might have to wait if you go there Friday night or Saturday night. Lunch: ¥500-¥1000 Dinner: ¥2,000-¥3,000
3, Tokisushi (Sushi) I am going to Tokisushi very often and this Sushi restaurant is good price and fresh. I know Japan has a lot of Sushi restaurants and higher quality restaurants are in Osaka. But this restaurant stuffs are friendly and Sushi chef makes Sushi and serve us after I order. They have Sushi plate and you can choose and order one each as well. I recommend you lunch set because it is very good price but we can have a many kind of fish Sushi plate. They have seared Sushi and it is so tasty too:) Lunch: ¥800-¥1,500 Dinner: ¥3,000
出典：ぐるなび
出典：ぐるなび
4, Zundoya (Tonkotsu Ra-men) I have asked my guests what is favorite Japanese foods and almost all guests like Ra-men. Of course I love Ra-men too!!! A lot of Ra-men restaurants in Osaka Namba area and you can’t choose the best one, So everybody go to very popular Ra-men restaurants. I recommend you Zundoya where has greasy Ra-men. My friend took me this restaurant and I was surprised when I had it. It was sooooo delicious and strong taste. Since then, I have this Ra-men very often. This restaurant are 2 places in the city Namba and Umeda. Both restaurants are just 10 min walk from station. Please try it if you like Ra-men!!:) Lunch & Dinner: ¥800-¥1,500
出典：ZUNDO-YA
出典：ZUNDO-YA
5, Tsurutontan (Udon) I love noodles and Udon is my most favorite noodle in Japan. Osaka people like Udon and many Udon restaurants in Osaka city. I recommend you Tsurutontan and this is very popular and have very delicious Udon. I usually go for dinner and order Udon and Sushi but I can’t choose easily because it has many kind of Udon such as seasonable one, curry Udon and simple one as well. I want you to see Udon bowl because it is huge and makes table full easily. Hahaha. I think you may want to take photos. Japan has some Tsurutontan restaurants in Osaka and Tokyo, So you can try it if you don’t have much time in Osaka and have time in Tokyo:) Lunch: ¥1,000-¥1,500 Dinner: ¥1,500-¥3,000
I have more places I want to tell you. This article is great restaurants where are popular and local people loved. I will write more local restaurants next time!!:) Thank you!!
I have checked Cherry blossoms forecast recently and it said Cherry blossoms will start blooming in a few days in Osaka and full bloom around 27th March. It is very earlier than usual because much warmer this year. I don’t need jacket in last few days and felt that Spring is coming in Osaka. It is very hard to travel abroad now because of the Virus but I have seen some tourists in the city now. I will write good place to see Cherry blossoms in Osaka for then and people is coming next Cherry blossoms season.
1, Osaka castle park Osaka castle park has sooooooo many Cherry blossoms tree and very very popular place to see Cherry blossoms in Osaka. Local people go and bring lunch box and some drinks and picnic under the trees. It’s called Hanami in Japanese and local Japanese people love to do that with friends, family and coworkers. You can go to Osaka castle park from Subway (Osaka metro) Morinomiya station or JR Osaka loop line Morinomiya station or Osaka castle park station and it takes about 10-15 min from Namba or Osaka station by train.
出典元：毎日新聞
出典元：楽天トラベル
2, Kema Sakuranomiya park This park has a lot of Cherry blossoms and they are blooming along the river. You can hang out on Cherry blossoms street and have awesome time with a lot of pink leaves. Some street foods may open in this park and you can grab local street foods and beer. It will be very crowded like the Osaka castle park, So it is better to go on weekday. I recommend you Tenjinbashisuji Shopping street after hanging out Kema Sakuranomiya park. This shopping street is the longest in Japan and has a lot of stuffs which are cheaper than touristy place. I always go this shopping street when I go this area and got some foods and daily necessities. Please get off JR train at Sakuranomiya station, Tenma stationm Osakajyo Kitazume station or Osaka tenmangu station and you can go this park on your foot.
出典元：Zekkei Japan
出典元：Zekkei Japan
3, Nagai park This park is not in the central city but you can go by subway easily from everywhere in Osaka city. Many local people come to Nagai park to see Cherry blossoms and this park has many kind of Cherry blossoms. Some of them are earlier blooming and others are late blooming. So you can see some kind of Cherry blossoms in this park from the middle of February to April. Botanical garden is in this park as well and it has many flowers all year. I recommend you this garden if you like flowers and you must be able to take nice photos with flowers. Nagai park is a few steps from subway (Osaka metro) Nagai station.
出典：OSAKA PHOTO
出典：OSAKA PHOTO
4, Sumiyoshi park I recommend you this park because I was born and raised around this place and have been over 1000 times in my life! hahaha! It is not bigger than the above other parks but has many cherry blossoms tree and peaceful scenery. Almost only local people come this park, So it is not so crowded. You can feel real and local Japanese life and see beautiful Cherry blossoms here. Sumiyoshitaisha shrine is by this park and you can visit this shrine before or after Sumiyoshipark. The shrine has other kind of Cherry blossoms around the entrance and you should check it.
出典：オオサカジン
出典：オオサカジン
Not only these parks, almost all parks even very small local parks have some cherry blossoms tree. You can see beautiful pink flowers everywhere in Japan the end of March to April. Less tourist come to Japan this Cherry blossoms season but I hope the people enjoy this great season and have nice time in Japan. Thank you!!:)
Tourists come to Osaka are getting less now because of virus however it is easy to sightseeing in Japan. Dotonbori area is super crowded every time, but we don’t need to wait for restaurants, easy to take photos and walk. Kyoto and other popular cities are same as Osaka now. I hope it is getting better and many tourists come to Japan again.
During that time, Many tourists joined my night photoshooting tour and got a lot of great shots around Dotonbori and Namba area. There are really less people than usual and very easy to take photos around Glico sign and Dotonbori area. I took some photo spots in America mura area. This area is not very touristy area and where local young people hang out, So it was same as usual. Haha Dotonbori and Namba area are much less people and nice to take photos every spots. My guests liked Osaka night views and neons and my photos. Every tours were nice time and I was very happy to see many people in the world. I hope a lot of people come to Japan in March and April to see cherry blossoms and virus will disappear in the world. Thank you!!
A nice couple came to Osaka castle park for wedding photoshooting with their stylist and makeup artist. They brought gorgeous dresses and suits and we got many special wedding photos at Osaka castle park. Of course it was first time to see them but we got closer easily in this photoshooting. I had some ideas and they had too, So we made and tried many ideas and styles. Osaka castle park is very big and has many good photo spots. I took photos with greens, flowers, the castle and on stairs and street of the park with different clothes. They changed their clothes three times and every styles were so nice for photos and we got some romantic shots, others are cool and happy. They liked my photo style like angle and posing and I was very happy because they looked very happy when I showed them the photos after taking. It was about 4 hours photoshooting but I was not tired because the photo session with them was very comfortable and fun time. The end of photoshooting, they gave me a coffee at Starbucks in the park and had relaxing time together. And we met in Kyoto again next day. I will write about this on next blog!!:)
A guy was traveling in Osaka alone contacted me for photoshooting. He wanted to be taken photos at Umeda sky building where we can see whole Osaka city from the top. It has long escalator and some people take photos at this place and post on Instagram. We met at Umeda sky building at opening time but I tried to take his photos outside of sky building. There are some green wall and I wanted to try to take photos with it. He liked it too and we got nice photos around sky building. After that, we were going to the escalator and took many photos. The photos are beautiful and arches on background looked very cool and futuristic. We were going up and down twice and got great photos. It was first time to take photos at this place and we didn’t need to pay entrance fee because the escalator is before entrance of observatory of sky building. I recommend you if you want to get nice photos in Umeda. Of course observatory is amazing to see Osaka view!! One more thing, you can see retro Osaka town scape in basement floor. This place is restaurants area and you can enjoy lunch and dinner after Umeda sky building. Try to go!!!:)
In 2020, Cherry blossoms season is coming soon!! Actually early blooming cherry blossoms are blooming in Japan now!!! This kind of Cherry blossoms bloom from the middle of February to March. I already have some photoshoot tours in Kyoto with this cherry blossoms. You can see cherry blossoms if you come to Japan earlier than main cherry blossoms season. Japan will be full of Cherry blossoms in the end of March to the beginning of April. I hope many people come to Japan and I am looking forward to seeing them here! I would like to take your photos with Cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara!!:)
A girl joined my Morning photoshooting tour and Night time photoshooting for 2 days! She was traveling by herself and took my tour for getting good photos of her travel in Japan. We visited Sumiyoshitaisha first and she has been this place though the shrine is in local area. But she said couldn’t get good photos last time, So I took many photos in this shrine. It was very quiet morning and less tourists, only local people walked and came here for praying. We got many photos with Japanese sceneries such as Sake casks, traditional buildings, bridge and huge trees. She liked everything of this place and it was very easy to take her photos because she knew how to make good pose. We walked to Sumiyoshi park from Sumiyoshitaisha shrine. This park is quite big and has many natures. Especially Cherry blossoms season, Many local people come and enjoy picnic every year. Unfortunately, There are not Cherry blossoms yet but some flowers bloomed a little and it made us feel that spring in coming soon. It was cold but very nice day and I got photos with blue sky.
The next day, We met again in the city of Namba and Shinsaibashi area at night time. Night time phtooshooting is different as morning time photos totally. Osaka town scapes such as neons, wall arts, buildings and billboards make photos very cool and beautiful. She really like the photos I took with neons and we were so excited when we get great shots. I usually take my guests to narrow traditional path by Dotonbori. Many lanterns are so beautiful and all of my guests like this place and she liked as well. When we are walking, I told and showed her some local good restaurants in Namba area. Many good restaurants are in Osaka and sometimes local one is good for tourists to feel real Japanese life. I recommend my favorite foods during my tour because I love eating and think foods are very important for travel. I hope all tourists have great foods and time in Osaka and enjoy their travel a lot. I would like to keep helping! Anyway I had great time with her for 2 days! See you again!! Thank you!!!:)
I already have met many people for photoshooting in 2020. A guy booked tour over half years ago and we talked many things of the tour. He took his mother to Japan and wanted me to help to make memories. We met at Morinomiya station to go to Osaka castle park. Mother is very nice and has good smile and the guy was very kind for mom. I tried to take photos with water fountain and greens in the park and It was very nice weather, So took photos with clear blue sky too. They enjoyed photoshooting so much. Lighting was very nice when we got Osaka castle because the tour was started almost sunset time. I got beautiful photos with Osaka castle at some photo spots. They looked very happy and were smiling whenever I took their photos.
After Osaka castle park, we went to Namba area to take photos with neons on back ground. He like Osaka night sceneries and I took them to many popular places such as Dotombori, Americamura and Namba area. Photos came up very beautiful and they liked all photos I took. It was dark when the tour finished and we had Japanese BBQ together after photoshooting. It was awesome time and I felt it’s not first time to see them and a part of their family. We enjoyed to talk each other and cultures with good foods. They booked my tour of Kyoto as well and we met in Kyoto again. I will write about the tour next time!!:)
It is the coldest season in Osaka now but warmer this year than usual. I love winter and cold season, So I like to go out with many clothes. A girl joined my night photoshooting tour last week. I took really nice photos with neons and lights of Osaka city. She like night sceneries and I was very happy to take her photos and she loved them.
We went to America mura area and I capture some moments of her with wall arts. Her hair color is very colorful and suits of America mura sceneries. After that, I took her to river side and walk along the river. It has some neons and we tried to take photos this places too. Glasses she brought made photos very cool and beutiful. We were so excited when got the photos. Her tattoos look so cool as well and I tried to take photos with Japanese traditional buildings which are in narrow street of Dotombori. Nobody known this streets and the photos also became cool. I had fun a lot with her to take photos in Namba and she likes my photos too!! I hope I can take her photos again in other area of Japan!! Thank you!!
Many illuminations make Namba area very beautiful in winter. In Midosuji street, A lot of people walk at night time to see lights especially in Christmas season. I took some photos with illuminations in Night time Photoshooting tour.
Two guys joined Night photoshooting tour in the beginning of December. One of them has joined the same tour last year and I was excited to see him again. Another guy was traveling for ling time and has beard so much. It was very easy to have communications with them and we had a lot of fun. I took them to many photo spots but I chose different place because I thought it is better for a guy who joined before. Recently, some wall arts were drown along river and the arts are very nice for Photoshooting. Around this area has some illuminations and we tried to take photos with them. It is very cold now but actually much warmer than usual. Many tourists visit in Osaka and everybody look very happy. I always think all tourists enjoy in Osaka, not only Osaka, in JAPAN. The Olympic will be held in Tokyo next year and Nintendo area will be opened in Universal Studios Japan. I am super excited to these events. I had awesome year in 2019 and hope have great day everyday in 2020. Thank you all joined my tour this year!! 🙂
A couple booked my tour and they wanted to be taken photos in the city. So we met at Shinsaibashi and took them to Horie area. Horie area is popular places for shopping in local Osaka people for long time and getting popular for tourists now. It has many street fashion stores such as Supreme, APE and something. I am Sorry I don’t know about street fashion well. Anyway many tourists go this area for shopping. Horie area is not only shopping, has some arts which are good for Photoshooting. So I took some photos with wall arts in this area. We visited Horie park too. Autumn leaves have fallen already but we were able to see some and took photos with them. They looked have fun with playground equipment and there are no kids because it was cold and early morning.
After Horie area, we walked along river. I found a new photo spot along Dotonbori river and it has not been known well. Some artists made wall arts and they look very nice and Japanesy. They liked this places and we gave some ideas each other to take photos with wall arts. It was very fun and I got some great photos at this spot. I took them to Hozenji temple and Yokocho and have taken many photos in Horie and Namba area. It was great time and I hope see them again!! Thank you for taking my photoshooting tour!!
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