The hottest photo spots for Osaka's nightscape! From skyscrapers to factories and illuminations... Five stunning nightscapes carefully selected by professionals

Osaka at night shows a completely different side to how it looks during the day. There are many spots where you can enjoy beautiful night views, such as skyscrapers viewed from observation decks, limited-time illuminations, and factory night views that can be seen from parking areas.

So this time, photographer Toshinobu Hori, who knows the charm of Osaka inside and out and has published his latest book, "A Tour of the Sparkling Night Views of Osaka," has selected the hottest photo spots that are easy for tourists to visit. With advice from Hori, who has been taking night view photos for over 20 years, including tips on how to take photos and what to look out for at each spot, you can enjoy the fun of capturing Osaka's unique night view in photos.

The area around Nakanoshima is a place where you can enjoy the "night view of the city center that is full of the essence of Osaka, the water city," with the lights of the skyscrapers and the roads that run between them, and the reflected light that ripples on the surface of the river overlapping.

Among these, Hori's top recommendation is the Yodoyabashi Sky Terrace, which just opened on September 1, 2025. From the atrium observation deck on the top floor, you can see the night view of Nakanoshima and Umeda, and it is a photogenic spot where you can get a close-up look at the impressive skyscrapers lining the ground. Another attractive feature is its easy access, as it is directly connected to Yodoyabashi Station on various lines.

From the atrium observation space, you can easily capture modern architecture such as the Naniwa Three Great Bridges (Tenmabashi, Tenjinbashi, and Nambabashi), Osaka City Central Public Hall, the main street Midosuji, and the sightseeing boats that are typical of this water city, making it easy to take atmospheric photos even with your smartphone.

When you think of Osaka's night view, you tend to think of glittering downtown areas and skyscrapers, but the "factory night view" is also not to be missed. The heavy industrial area that stretches along Osaka Bay is enveloped in a fantastical sight that is completely different from the daytime. Among them, Takaishi Parking Area (PA) on the Hanshin Expressway Route 4 Bayshore Route (northbound) is one that Hori highly recommends, saying, "You can easily enjoy the industrial night view."

The appeal of Takaishi PA is that it offers a wide, safe view of the petrochemical plants lined up in an orderly fashion along the coast, almost directly in front of you. The regular lines created by the tanks and pipes, the lights that operate even late at night, and the sheer scale that envelops the entire factory窶蚤ll of these draw visitors into the "world of factory night views."

Its location as a rest area on the highway makes it easy to stop by by car, and it's also easily accessible from outside the city. The cluster of lit-up factories stretching out as far as the eye can see is truly a "giant urban installation." Hori also recommends it as a spot where you can get a feel for the strength of Osaka's industry.

When it comes to Osaka's most iconic night view, it has to be Dotonbori. It's an area filled with overwhelming energy, with neon signs crammed together and light pouring down right up to the river's surface. Hori says that the "Tombori River Cruise" that operates on the Dotonbori River is the place where you can "get the most direct feel of Osaka."

As the boat slowly moves forward, huge billboards such as the Glico sign come closer, and the colorful lights reflected on the building walls sway on the water's surface. Unlike the view seen from on foot, the composition looking up from the river has a completely different "density of light." You can take bright and vivid photos even with your smartphone, making this a good spot for photography novices.

The cruise is a short trip of around 20 minutes, making it easy to use during your free time while traveling. The movements of the people around you and the moment you pass under a bridge create a dramatic scene, and every moment is a great opportunity to take a photo.

Neon lights spreading across the water, lights spilling out from the gaps between the bridge and buildings, and the bustle of people... Hori highly recommends this spot as a place where you can enjoy the quintessential Osaka night view while listening to detailed commentary from the Osaka guide crew.

Sakishima Cosmo Tower stands tall as a landmark of the Osaka Bay Area. The observation deck on the top floor is a spectacular observation spot that Hori says "if you want to take photos of the night view of Osaka that stretches all the way to the horizon, this is the place to go."

The view from a height of 252m is like a digital panorama. With the lights of the bay area where people and goods come and go, and the skyscrapers of the metropolitan area centered around Umeda stretching into the distance, the sea and the city coexist on one screen, creating a "typical Osaka night view."

The observation floor is entirely made of glass, and is characterized by a design that makes use of the sloping windows. Your line of sight naturally points downwards through the glass, further emphasizing the depth of the light. The interior itself is adjusted to be dark, so there is little reflection, making it easy to take photos with your smartphone, which is a nice feature.

One of the charms of this observation deck is that its appearance changes dramatically depending on the time of day. The sunset over Osaka Bay is particularly spectacular, and depending on the time of year, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the sun may even overlap. During the blue hour, the boundary between the sky and the sea blurs faintly, and as the night deepens, the lights of the night view become more clearly defined. Depending on the season, a string of ship lights line the sea side, creating a scene that looks like a "route of light."

Located in Takatsuki City, this vast park is a space where history, nature, and the city blend together, preserving and utilizing ruins from the Yayoi period. At night, you can enjoy the tranquil scenery bathed in soft light.

The park's wide, open lawn areas, walking paths, and moated areas are all lit up, creating a "beauty with space" that is different from the night view of urban areas.

Warm-colored lights are lit around the cafe and rental spaces on the premises, and the straight lines of the architecture and the shadows of the light create a pleasant rhythm. Families and people visiting for walks can also be seen, and the natural blending of "the light of everyday life" is unique to this park. Hori said, "The light here is soft, and looking at it calms my mind."

One of the attractions is being able to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and take photos while traveling.

The dazzling lights of skyscrapers, the night view of factories stretching across the bay area, neon lights flickering on the water's surface, and the lights of parks shrouded in silence - the spots introduced to us by photographer Hori Toshinobu this time are all places where you can fully experience the diverse charms of Osaka's nightlife.

By simply changing your perspective a little, you can create a much more impressive photo with your camera or smartphone, taking into account the density of light, color, reflection, and the shape of shadows. Some spots require you to travel a little further from the center, but the "one scene" that awaits you is well worth the trip.

Be sure to experience the dazzling lights of Osaka at night with all your senses and capture your own unique moment in photos to remember your trip.