The 10 Best Autumn Leaves Photo Spots in Osaka You Must Visit

If you haven’t been to Osaka in the fall, you’re missing out a lot! This city transforms into vibrant hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and golds as famous tourist spots become enveloped in various trees in vivid shades. Osaka boasts a diverse selection of destinations to catch breathtaking fall foliage.

Explore Osaka in autumn and check out our list of the best spots to capture stunning fall foliage shots. From destinations worthy of a day trip to usual sites in central Osaka, you’ll definitely fall deeper in love with Japan after visiting our top recommendations.

But before that, if you want to get awesome pictures of you during your trip (better than your usual selfies) we highly recommend you to hire a photographer in Osaka with Photo Trips! In addition to get stunning shots for your Instagram, you will spend a fun time with one of our local photographers. Plus, you will be guided directly to the best photo spots the city has to offer! If you are interested, check out our best photographers in Osaka here.

1. Osaka Castle Park

Home to the majestic Osaka Castle and surrounding lush forests, Osaka Castle Park has one of the best fall foliage spots. As early as the first week of November, you can already notice the trees inside the park changing to vibrant colors. Our favorite is the 300-year-old ginkgo tree in front of the tower. Osaka Castle Park also has several cherry blossoms that turn fiery red in the fall, so travellers call them sakura maple.

The Japanese garden inside Osaka Castle Park also has Iroha maple trees that turn vibrantly red in the fall and hazelnut trees that complement the autumn colors.

Address: Osaka Castle Park

2. Hoshida Park

Hoshida Park is a famous national park in Osaka with the best autumn viewpoints, especially if you head to the Hoshi no Buranko, the Star Swing, or the suspension bridge. This spot is perfect if you’re not afraid of heights because you can catch aerial shots of the autumn trees across the 105-hectare national park.

Besides sweeping autumn views, Hoshida Park is also a famous hiking spot with several trails. Plus, you may also enjoy the artificial climbing wall if you’re up for some adventure.

Address: Hoshida Park

3. Minoh Park

At the foot of Mount Minoo is Minoh Park, a very accessible nature-rich park from central Osaka. This popular spot gets the most crowded in the holidays, while most people enjoy hiking through the beginner-friendly trails.

Minoh Park happens to be Kansai’s most famous autumn foliage spot because of the vibrant fallen leaves that serve as the park’s carpet. A notable scenery you should not miss is the autumn leaves against the Minoo Otaki Waterfall.

What makes this park unique in the fall is the Momiji Tempura. These are maple leaves sprinkled with salt and deep-fried using a sweet batter.

Address: Minoh Park

4. Daisen Park

 

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Daisen Park is another popular photo spot in autumn with its deep-red leaves. There’s even a tiny teahouse inside the garden where you can enjoy the foliage views while tasting seasonal sweets.

Catch maple leaves transitioning into vibrant red around mid-November in the Japanese garden. Moreover, you can also enjoy other excellent sceneries, including the human-made mountain imitating the Rozan in China, seasonal flowering plants, and large ponds.

Address: Daisen Park

5. Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park is a facility for play and education centered around a sculpture named Tower of the Sun. This masterpiece was designed by the famous Taro Okamoto. Inside the park, you can also find the Japanese Garden, the Japan Folk Craft Museum Osaka, and the Natural and Cultural Garden Park.

One famous autumn leaf photo spot inside the park is the Momiji Falls. The red maples and yellow leaves from other trees serve as a beautiful backdrop against the waterfalls. If you have extra time, stick around and stroll along the Kouyokei or the Autumn Leaf Valley.

Address: Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

6. Katsuoji

Katsuoji Temple is a historic temple that boasts one of the most beautiful fall foliage sights in Osaka. Early November is the best time to visit this place so you can still catch the transitioning of leaf colors in the surrounding mountains.

The yellow and red colors by the mountain gate create an oil painting canvas. You can also see a tunnel of fiery maple leaves if you look up at the tall Dabojikata Pagoda.

Address: Katsuoji

7. Settsukyo Park

Settsuyo Park in Takatsuki City, Northern Osaka, is another scenic spot that features beautiful fall foliage photo locations. It’s a family-friendly park for all ages because it’s packed with several activities, including sightseeing and hiking to view the waterfall.

Settsuyo Park is a crowd favorite every autumn because the entire area turns red. If you’re looking from the Momiji Valley, you can witness how beautiful the fall colors spread across the entire sky.

After spending an entire day in the park, consider staying for a night in one of the inns in Settsu Gorge. Some of them have open-air baths where you can relax after a long day of hiking.

Address: Settsukyo Park

8. Shijonawate Jinja

Right at the foot of Mt. Iimori is the Shijonawate Jinja, a famous tourist destination every spring and autumn. This place is surrounded by lush greenery that transitions to red and yellow once the fall arrives.

After entering the Torii gate, prepare for a 103-step climb to reach the shrine. The top area is where you’ll find mesmerising autumn foliage. Stand on the main shrine on the hilltop, and take aerial shots of the autumn colors blanketing the whole area.

Address: Shijonawate Jinja

9. Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park

Next on the list is Tsurumi Ryokuchi, a memorial park packed with sporting and cultural facilities. It’s located in central Osaka and accessible via the Osaka Metro Station.

Tsurumi Ryokuchu Park introduces the Flower Expo Memorial Park, which always becomes a hit during autumn. You will also love the beautiful fall foliage in the mountain areas. To enjoy the view while taking great shots, visit Murasaki-tei Tea House for a relaxing tea time.

Address: Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park

10. Kyuan-ji Temple

Finally, another popular spot for autumn leaf photos is Kyuan-ji Temple in Northern Osaka. It’s also one of the oldest temples in the city, with traditional and ancient buildings to commemorate Japan’s rich history.

Maple leaves dominate this location, which makes the beautiful gardens look even more stunning. If you’re visiting this shrine, don’t forget to visit the bell tower and the pagoda and take photos of the ancient yet vibrant trees. Plus, there’s also a forest-bathing course for a unique activity.

Every third Sunday of November, Kyuan-ji holds its annual autumn leaves festival. So, be sure to check that one out to capture the best fall photos.

Address: Kyuan-ji Temple

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Photo spots in autumn are everywhere in Osaka – from the usual tourist spots like the Osaka Castle Park to more secluded and peaceful spots like the Kyuan-ji Temple. Make sure to always be camera-ready and shoot the best photos when you see stunning fall foliage views in this gorgeous city.

Want to chase autumn leaves all over Japan? Check out the blog posts about the best autumn leaves photo spots in Tokyo and best autumn leaves photo spots in Kyoto.

Want to get visit more photo spots in Osaka? Make sure you also read our selection of the 20 most Instagrammable photo spots in Osaka here!