Category: OSAKA

[2020] Top 4 best places to see Cherry blossoms in Osaka!!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!!:)

Night photoshoot tour in Dotonbori&Namba, Osaka!!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!!

Wedding photoshooting in Osaka castle park!!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!!:)

Photoshoot at Osaka Umeda sky building!!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!!!:)

【2020】Cherry blossoms photoshooting in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara!!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA, KYOTO, NARA, NEWS

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!!:)

Morning and Night Photoshooting in Osaka!!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!!!:)

Mom & Son’s Photoshooting in Osaka!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!!:)

Night Photoshooting tour in Namba Osaka!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!!

Night Photoshoot in Dotonbori and Americamura, Osaka!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!! 🙂

Engagement Photoshooting in Horie and Namba, Osaka!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

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!!

Photoshoot with Big family and Autumn leaves in Osaka castle!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

The end of November, I held photoshoot tour in Osaka castle park. I was late to meet a big family because I misunderstood this booking in the end of December. I was very up set and rush so much to Osaka castle park. They were waiting me and I apologized them… I am so sorry!!!! After that I took them around the castle park and play with kids. They were very very friendly and had big energies! I was enjoying with them while I took their photos. There are many autumn tree and leaves on the ground and I told them to play with leaves and captured the moments. They look enjoy and their family looked happy as well. I took many style of photos such as family photo, only kids, only boys and girls, sisters, dad and daughters. The family is very big and very close. I was very happy to take their photos in Osaka castle park and got many good photos with autumn leaves. Thank you for taking my photoshoot tour and see you again!!

Autumn Photoshoot in local area of Osaka!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

It is already winter in Osaka now. I don’t feel cold so much a few weeks ago, But it is very very cold at night and morning even daytime as well. Autumn has gone and leaves have been falling and they make ground colorful. We can’t see Autumn leaves on trees but it is also beautiful on the ground.

A girl joined my photoshooting tour in Osaka. She was very very cheerful and friendly. We had such a fun time and talked about many things. She likes Japanese singer Arashi. This group is the most popular group in Japan and I like it too. I was very surprised she like Japanese group and they are very famous in other countries.

I took her pictures at Sumiyoshitaisha shrine and got many great photos because she has awesome smile:) I have written about this shrine many times on this blog. Many local Osaka people go to this Sumiyoshitaisha shrine the end and beginning of year for praying new year. I have been there every year because I was born and raised around the shrine. She liked this places and was interested in Japanese culture and about this shrine. We visited Sumiyoshi park after the Sumiyoshitaisha shrine. This park still had Autumn leaves and we were able to take photos with leaves here. It was very beautiful and nice colors and the pictures came up great too. The one of the best season in Japan almost gone but Winter is very beautiful with snow. I would like to take many photos in this winter 2019-2020. Thank you for taking my tour and see you again!!

Night photoshooting with neons in Namba, Osaka for solo travelers!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

It is very cold at night in Osaka. I feel it is not Autumn, already winter in the morning and night time. But I am so excited cause my favorite season is winer. I like very cold weather and winter clothes. Autumn leaves is the most beautiful now and it is so crowded in popular places in Kyoto and Osaka such as Arashiyama area, Osaka castle , Mino water fall, and some temples.

Not only autumn leaves, Osaka has many illuminations in this season. My night time tour is very nice to take pictures with many beautiful rights. They are only this season till around Christmas. Many guests joined my night time photoshoot tour. I will show you some of the pictures.

Solo travelers often joined my tour because it is very hard to take pictures theirselves. I know that well because I love to travel alone. They are very nice people and I love to talk about many things like their countries, cultures, Japanese food, how difference between Osaka and Tokyo and something. Everybody is so friendly and I love to see new people and help to make their memories in Osaka. I showed good local restaurants around Namba area in my tour every time. Local restaurants are not so crowded and better sometimes. Sushi, Tempura, Japanese BBQ and Ra-men. I want them to feel real Osaka. I am looking forward to seeing more people in winter!! See you guys!!!

Pre-Wedding Photoshoot in Osaka castle park and Namba area!!

Posted Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

A couple joined my tour for Pre-wedding photoshooting and their friends have taken my tour before and they knew about the tour from that friends. I was very glad to see them and be introduced. Unfortunately, It was going to rain on photoshooting day. We hoped just cloudy but it was raining when we met. We tried to take pictures in America-mura area when the rain stopped and were able to get some good pictures their. In Dotonbori area and Hozenji temple, I took their photos with Glico sign and many lanterns. The photos are amazing! But it was raining during the tour and we had a plan to go to Osaka castle park after Namba, but we decided to change date to go there. Because it was strong rain and we weren’t able to hold the tour anymore.

2 days later, We restarted the tour in Osaka castle park. It was not rain and great day!! I thought it was good idea to change date. Trees were very beautiful after rain and I was able to take many pictures in Osaka castle park. They were very cheerful and happy couple, Especially the guy was very very funny and he made her smile and laugh whenever I took pictures. Thanks to that, I got many natural smile and happy photos. They liked the pictures and it was very nice memories for me as well. They made me want to go to Philippine to see them and their friends who joined my tour before. both couple are super nice couple and I am looking forward to seeing them in the future!! Thank you so much for taking the Photoshoot tour! See you again!!:)