Sony A7C II Street Photography in Osaka, Japan.
I wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of Osaka's city centre, deliberately avoiding the usual tourist spots to discover the real city. Armed with my camera, I followed a Google Maps pin I found on Reddit, ready to see what unfolded.
Arriving in Senbayashi on a Sunday morning, it felt surprisingly familiar—yes, there was a Family Mart, of course. Everything was quiet, and I was clearly the only tourist around. At first, I felt a little unsure of my welcome; I was smiling and bowing, but not everyone was keen to acknowledge me. I’m completely in love with these narrow, local commercial streets in Japan—they’re a mix of restaurants, shops, and paths where people walk, bike, and even cars squeeze through.
An unexpected little parade rolled by on my walk from the metro, which was a pleasant surprise! After some research, it seemed similar to the Tenjin Matsuri, though this was September, so who knows if it was related.
Language Barriers and a Lucky Break
One major hurdle is the language barrier. I know basics like "thank you" and "hello," but not enough to confidently approach someone, like to ask to photograph their dog. I often wish I could just download skills like in The Matrix!
I was so relieved when the universe finally threw me a bone. I spotted a Shiba Inu in an open garage just as the owner arrived on her bicycle. She greeted me kindly and said "Dozo," which I later realized means "please" or "go ahead." I settled in and captured some photos and video of the dog.
I usually avoid wider streets for photography, but I enjoy this slower pace of shooting when I'm somewhere new. I appreciate the little differences, like the layout of these local streets, or the plastic bottles filled with water—apparently a way to keep stray cats from hanging out on doorsteps!
Fishing for Pics
So why this specific spot? I found a subreddit about finding fishing spots in Osaka. I weighed two options: Osaka Bay, which was too far and had little else around, or this spot next to the Yoda River, which had suburbs and a park leading right up to it. That seemed like my best bet for finding local life.
Originally, I wanted a "north star" image to aim for, but I couldn't visualize one. So, I went in with an open mind, ready to shoot anything and see what I came back with.
I'm really glad I chose the river spot. I wanted that community vibe and didn't want to risk trekking out to Osaka Bay only to find nobody fishing. Around 12:45 PM, about half the people left—maybe for lunch, or maybe the fishing gets worse. I don't fish, so I don't know! It was rewarding to hang out and photograph locals doing an activity; it's what I'd been craving, as the main tourist areas can often feel chaotic without much substance.
This whole experience of seeking out a local spot, away from the tourist center, was incredibly rewarding. I’m now excited to do this again in Tokyo, which will be an even bigger challenge!
As much as I enjoy shooting busy commercial centers, going to these quieter, local areas just feels like you are properly seeing a place. That one morning by the river, watching people fish, gave me more little interactions with locals than I'd had my entire time in Osaka so far.
