Osaka Castle Park is one of Osaka’s most popular sightseeing spots. Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, its magnificent main tower is impressive, but the trees that change with each season—from cherry blossoms in spring to colorful autumn leaves—are equally enchanting. This time, I visited the park on November 20 to enjoy its autumn colors.
Starting the Autumn Walk from Osaka Castle Park Station
I began my walk from JR Osaka Castle Park Station as usual.
This is the view right outside the station. The autumn leaves are beautifully colored! With the clear blue sky and tall buildings in the background, the scenery is picture-perfect.
Autumn Leaves View from Osaka Castle Shinbashi
From the station, if you turn left you’ll head toward the main castle tower, but this time I took a detour to the right and stopped at Osaka Castle Shinbashi to look over the Daini Neyagawa River.
The autumn leaves along the riverbank were stunning! If you visit Osaka Castle Park, make sure to stop by this bridge for the view.
Recommended Photo Spots for Autumn Leaves and the Castle Tower
This area is located after turning left near Osaka-jo Hall. The autumn foliage is vibrant, and you can see the castle tower in the distance. Places where red leaves frame the tower make perfect photo spots.
With a zoom lens, I captured a clear shot of Osaka Castle peeking through the leaves. A powerful zoom camera helps, but it’s also fun to find your own favorite angle while walking around.
Ginkgo Trees along the Running Course
Along the running course, many ginkgo trees had already dropped their leaves, but some still retained their golden beauty.
Autumn Colors on the Stone Walls
We often associate autumn colors with maples or ginkgo trees, but even the plants growing on the stone walls are beautifully colored! The contrast between the stones and the leaves is picturesque.
Gokuraku Bridge Area
The leaves near Gokuraku Bridge were also beautifully colored. Let’s take a look from the bridge itself.
Just as I was taking photos, a sightseeing boat passed by, allowing me to capture it together with the autumn leaves. The combination of the moat, boat, autumn colors, and skyscrapers creates a uniquely Osaka Castle Park view.
Autumn Colors around the Osaka Castle Tower
This is the area right in front of the castle tower. The leaves here were just starting to turn color.
The large ginkgo tree near the castle tower is one of the highlights of this area, though many of its leaves had already fallen. Depending on the location, some ginkgo trees still had beautiful yellow leaves, while others had completely shed them.
Panoramic View from the Hilltop
The castle tower area is located on a small hill, offering an excellent panoramic view from above.
The mixture of green, yellow, and red leaves creates a truly stunning sight. The skyscrapers in the background add a modern contrast to the historical landscape.
Japanese Garden: Capture the Upside-Down Osaka Castle and Autumn Leaves
While some photo spots require a strong zoom lens, there’s also a perfect place where you can take amazing pictures even with a smartphone—the Japanese Garden within the castle tower area. It’s a spot that’s easy to miss, so pay attention when you visit!
The Japanese Garden is located in the red box area shown on the map above.
This photo was taken at the Japanese Garden. The reflection of Osaka Castle on the calm pond, combined with the surrounding autumn leaves, creates a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Photography Tips
To capture the best shot, get close to the pond and shoot at 1× zoom. The castle’s reflection changes with the ripples, so take multiple shots in burst mode. Many visitors take commemorative photos here, so please share the space kindly with others.
Autumn Foliage in Nishinomaru Garden
Nishinomaru Garden at Osaka Castle Park is best known for its cherry blossoms in spring, but its autumn foliage is also beautiful. The garden offers unique views that can only be seen here. *Note: The following photos were taken on November 15, five days before my main visit.*
The admission fee is 200 yen for adults, but it will increase to 300 yen from April 1, 2026. Please note that the garden is closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday). For more details, check the official website below.
Now, let’s take a look at some photos taken inside Nishinomaru Garden!
View of the Castle Tower and Autumn Leaves from Nishinomaru Garden
This angle of the castle tower framed by autumn leaves is unique to Nishinomaru Garden. The high stone wall on the right adds character to the scene.
Here you can see yellow zelkova leaves, red cherry leaves, and the castle tower all in one frame. It’s a beautiful composition framed naturally by the trees. In spring, these cherry trees bloom fully, transforming the scenery completely.
This angle is also stunning. Nishinomaru Garden has many photo spots where you can capture both the castle tower and the autumn leaves in a single frame.
There are also lovely tree-lined paths like this one. While Nishinomaru Garden’s foliage alone may not rival famous autumn leaf spots, it offers unique views of Osaka Castle framed by colorful leaves that can only be seen here. It’s definitely worth visiting!
Best Time to See the Autumn Foliage
The best time to see the autumn foliage at Osaka Castle Park is typically from mid-November to early December.
I visited on November 20, around the beginning of the peak season (with Nishinomaru Garden photos from November 15). The leaves were about 80% turned, though some ginkgo trees had already started shedding. If you enjoy the contrast between red and yellow, this period is ideal.
Rest Areas and Food Trucks
There are plenty of benches throughout Osaka Castle Park, including some where you can relax while viewing the moat and colorful leaves.
Near the Sakura Gate, several food trucks offer light snacks and drinks—perfect for a short break during your walk.
Access Information
- Nearest Stations: JR Osaka Castle Park Station, Osaka Metro Tanimachi 4-chome Station, and Morinomiya Station
- Access: About 10 minutes from JR Osaka Station (4 stops on the Osaka Loop Line)
- Admission: Free (admission fee required for the castle tower; separate 200 yen fee for Nishinomaru Garden)
Summary
- The autumn leaves along the Daini Neyagawa River are beautiful when viewed from Osaka Castle Shinbashi.
- Spots where colorful leaves frame the castle tower make great photo opportunities.
- Ginkgo trees vary by location—some are still full, while others have already shed.
- The hilltop area near the castle offers a spectacular panoramic view.
- You can capture the reflection of Osaka Castle and autumn leaves at the Japanese Garden.
- Nishinomaru Garden has many locations where the castle and foliage can be photographed together.
The combination of Osaka Castle and autumn leaves was truly stunning! The park is easy to access, so be sure to visit during the season. 👍
The Japanese Garden at Daisen Park in Sakai City also offers stunning autumn colors! Check out the article below 👇
