See 6,000 maple leaves paint the waterfront red & ride Osaka water buses for free on selected routes

▲ The limited-time free Osaka water bus: AQA mini.

Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wenjun / Japan

Osaka is a top travel destination for visitors from China, and the “Osaka Amazing Pass,” which allows unlimited subway rides for one or two days, has recently introduced a limited-time free offer to attract more tourists. From now until the 27th, Osaka water buses are offering six round-trip routes between Yodoyabashi and Osaka Castle. Show your Osaka Amazing Pass to ride for free. The approximately 15-20 minute journey lets travelers enjoy the crimson maple leaves along Osaka’s waterfront without any glass barriers.

▲ The Osaka Amazing Pass 2-day ticket.

The special routes launched by Osaka water buses this time are the “AQUA mini Osaka Castle–Yodoyabashi Sightseeing Cruise.” Unlike other water buses, the AQUA mini is an open-top sightseeing boat, with a maximum capacity of just 30 passengers per vessel. The voyage time is also significantly shorter—about 15-20 minutes—allowing passengers to enjoy a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the scenic beauty along Osaka’s waterfront.

▲ The current autumn foliage scenery along the Okawa River in Osaka.

▲ Shinmeinohashi Bridge offers the best angle for photographing Osaka Castle’s keep.

According to the ship captain, a total of 6,000 cherry trees have been planted along both banks of the Okawa River, and they have all now turned crimson. If you want to capture the most beautiful view of Osaka Castle’s keep from the boat, Shinmeinohashi Bridge is the best spot—even Japanese news programs, TV dramas, and movies are often filmed here. Travelers hoping to snap the perfect shot of the castle keep shouldn’t miss it.

To ride this mini sightseeing boat for free, simply present your Osaka Amazing Pass at either the Yodoyabashi or Osaka Castle boarding point to exchange for a designated departure. Osaka Castle Port begins exchanging passes daily at 9:00 AM, while Yodoyabashi Port starts at 9:30 AM. The departure times are as follows:

Yodoyabashi – Osaka Castle: 11:10, 13:10, 15:10
Osaka Castle – Yodoyabashi: 11:25, 13:25, 15:25

Osaka Water Buses (Osaka Suibusu / 大阪水上バス)
Yodoyabashi boarding point transportation: Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Yodoyabashi Station, then walk to Exit 14A of Keihan Electric Railway’s Yodoyabashi Station.
Osaka Castle Port boarding point transportation: Take the JR Loop Line to Osaka Castle Park Station, then head toward the Osaka Castle direction to reach the pier.http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/cht/facility/facility.php?id=61