There must be thousands of articles on this subject, so I focus on something less general: Osaka Castle photography. I believe anyone who has been to Osaka has undoubtedly been here because it is one of the must-visit places.

In this article, I will share my personal experiences from visiting this castle several times in the last ten years of my travelling to Japan. And to share, I have had Japanese travel experience since the early 90s, making it over 30 years of travelling in Japan.

Osaka Castle Photography

Before I go into the general photography of Osaka Castle, let me share some important facts that make this place one of the top three places to visit when you are here. Without a doubt, any first-time visitor visiting this part of Japan will surely come here.

The Osaka Castle (大阪城, Osaka-jō) is a famous landmark in Osaka, initially built in the late 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and it played a key role in Japan’s unification. The main tower, now reconstructed with modern materials like concrete and steel, includes an observation deck offering panoramic views of Osaka city.

The observation deck on the 8th floor commands a panoramic view of Osaka Castle Park and the Osaka Plain, while the exhibition rooms showcase authentic historical artefacts.

From the central city area of Osaka, the castle is mere minutes away from the core Shinsaibashi or Namba area, and taking a Japanese taxi is probably one of the easiest ways to get here. I will share more below on why taking a cab is easier.

Once you arrive at the main gate from the west side at the Otemon Gate, you will be required to walk further inside, where the central tower is located, and this will take you about five minutes or less, depending on how fast you walk. Once inside, you will see the main castle structure, a popular photography spot.

However, if you come in from the north section where the Gokuraku-bashi Bridge is, you will be taken through the back portion of the main castle, where you will get a different view altogether. So, depending on which direction, both have different views of the Osaka Castle.

I have visited this place more than five times and entered through all possible ways with each visit; I will try a different entrance to see if the photography angle is much nicer. And for me, my favourite is still the north entrance, as you will see in the photos of Osaka Castle below.

What I use for my Osaka Castle Photography

I started with a DSLR when I first visited this place in 2012, and over the last decade, I have slowly transformed into smartphone photography as it is more fun, challenging, and manageable. Therefore, the photos here are primarily from my Galaxy S10 Ultra, S22 Ultra and S24 Ultra.

In 2024, smartphones have become so advanced that nowadays, you do not require a bulky camera for your photography. However, if you are a photographer and still a firm believer in quality photos, then by all means, your pictures will turn out much better than the smartphones.

Best Time to Visit the Osaka Castle

This one is subjective because there are four seasons; hence, everyone has a different landscape regarding weather, trees, etc. I prefer summer or spring when the skies are much bluer, and you can get a nice contrast in your photos.

Now, if you want to go into the castle, you should come early to line up and get your tickets. Even by saying this, most travellers already know and come early. On one trip in 2024, I arrived at about 10.00 AM, and the line to get in was already about 100 people. So, plan well before coming here as the castle opens at 9.00 AM.

There is also a fee to enter the castle, priced at ¥600 per person and valid for 30 days from purchase. You can visit the official site to buy your Osaka Castle entrance tickets.

How to go to the Osaka Castle?

I will share below that you can use several options from the main Osaka city area. It also depends on your style of travel, as some prefer budget, some want convenience, and some want to get it over and done quickly. So, let’s take a look at the options below;

• Walking: For those doing budget travel or who love to walk all over, this option is possible as it will take about one hour to walk here, with some interesting sightseeing along the way. So, this is all for those who have a lot of time on their hands.
• Subway/Metro: This is probably the most popular way to get here, using the Osaka subway, but let me share that there is still walking to be done once you exit the station. You must take two trains, exit the Tanimachiyonchome Station, and walk about 10 minutes to the central west gate. You will spend about 30 minutes taking the subway and walking.
• Bicycle: If you are fit, you can always rent a bike or use one of those eBike rentals. But note that you cannot simply park your bike anywhere as Japan is strict with bike parking, and you must park at allocated paid parking, which can be tricky.
• Taxi: If you are travelling with a family or parents, this is probably the best way to get here as it costs no more than ¥1500 from the main Shinsaibashi or Namba area. The taxi drops you off at the main taxi stand, and you can walk in from there. Easy and convenient, and one way is about a minute’s drive.

Where I stayed at in Osaka?

Usually, I choose a hotel away from the main crowded areas as I prefer a quieter. The hotels around the Shinsaibashi, Dotonbury and Namba areas are convenient but really noisy at night, so that is a no-no for me as I want some peace and quiet at night.

This time around, I stayed at the Travelodge Honmachi Osaka, which is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from the main shopping area and also a few minutes walk to the main subway stations. This made moving around a lot easier, while the convenience stores or Japanese restaurants around the hotel were less crowded.

Conclusion

I would say that anyone visiting Osaka for the first time should make it a point to visit this place as it is one of the top tourist sites here. And if you love photography or posting lovely photos on your social media, this is definitely at the top of the list.

Osaka Castle photography is undoubtedly done for every visitor here. Still, most people take photos for the sake of taking them and only share them among their friends and relatives, especially older travellers.

The younger generation will take photos and videos for their social media platforms, and they rarely show any interest in the history of the place. They want beautiful photos that will gain more likes and comments, which is sad in tourism nowadays. I truly hope people will learn to appreciate the history, art and culture of the places they visit.