A while back, I went to Osaka on a business trip and used my spare time to visit Osaka Airport to photograph takeoffs and landings. Here is a brief record. Note: All photos in this article were taken by the author. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Osaka Airport (RJOO) has always been a place I’ve wanted to visit for photography. That’s because right at the approach end of Runway 32L, there is a small river called the Sengawa River, and there is a walking path along the river. Taking off and landing aircraft fly directly over the walking path. Especially the spot facing the Runway directly, it has become a paradise for aviation enthusiasts. People listening to wireless communications, taking photos, or bringing children to watch the landings—all are shocked by the airliners flying just a few dozen meters above their heads. From the Runway centerline, you can clearly see the pilots making final adjustments to the Attitude (left and right rocking) during landing, or the nose pointing to one side during crosswinds. It is a very rare and excellent place to observe aircraft.

The way to get to Sengawa River is to take the Hankyu Line from Osaka’s city center “Umeda Station”. Head towards “Hankyu Takarazuka Main Line - Hibarigaoka-Hanayashiki Line”, take the train for about ten minutes to Sone Station, and then walk west for 15 minutes to arrive.

When I arrived, I found that Sengawa River looks like this. How is it? Isn’t it spectacular? It lives up to its reputation!

First, a photo of an ANA B777-200 (JA701A) landing head-on towards the approach lights, A few seconds later, the aircraft swept over the top of our heads and flew towards the end of the Runway. The white lines on the Runway reflected onto the aircraft belly, which could be seen clearly: A few seconds later, the moment just before the aircraft touched down:

Compared to major airports like Narita and Haneda, Osaka Airport is relatively smaller, so there are many small and medium-sized airliners on domestic flights. This is also a highlight. For example, this Amakusa Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-100 JA81AM below. Its livery is quite unique—a blue dolphin swimming in the sea is very cute, isn’t it?

Also this Bombardier DHC-8-400 JA857A below. Green ANA aircraft are relatively rare. “ECO Friendly Airline” is written on the engine nacelle, surely promoting themselves as an energy-saving airline. It seems aircraft livery is also a means of corporate publicity.

Hmm, this Bombardier CRJ-100 JA01RJ belongs to IBEX Airlines, a regional small airline that owns only 6 Bombardier airliners in total.

Watching the large airliners flying overhead one after another, looking at their sleek bodies, it is truly a pleasure.

And the young couples walking by the river were also deeply attracted by these aircraft and stopped in their tracks.

Also, looking at the airport Apron from the river offers a panoramic view, and the movement of aircraft on the ground is clearly visible.

By the way, the biggest harvest of this day was capturing a Boeing 787! This 787, numbered 807A, is the fourth one delivered to ANA. From the photo, you can see some unique features of the 787 Dreamliner, such as the linear nose, the chevron engine nacelle, the streamlined vertical stabilizer, the petite flap fairing, etc., which can be seen at a glance. From this angle, the 787’s slightly upward-curved wings are also clearly visible.

There are too many photos, so I won’t introduce them one by one. In short, this trip to Osaka Airport was fruitful and very satisfying. Finally, I’m posting a photo of the East Exit of Sone Station to commemorate the occasion.

The geographical location of the Sengawa riverbank is on the east side of Osaka Itami Airport, at the location marked No. 1 in the map.