Osaka Kickstart Tour: Discover Urban Hotspots and Hidden Treasures
4.9
230 Ratings
Osaka
Embark on an exciting Osaka Kickstart Tour and uncover the city's urban hotspots and hidden treasures. Choose from customized private tours or group tours and explore non-touristy areas, retro districts, traditional fish markets, and more. Get ready for a sensory overload and a great day out!
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kuromon Market - We’ll step into some fish market stores that look unremarkable from the outside but when inside exposes seafood heaven. Watch a store cut and prepare a fugu(puffer fish). Learn how to cut a tuna…. Salmon sashimi is some of the best I’ve had in Japan.

  • Osaka Castle - Osaka’s most notable structure. The park surrounding will also be explored mentioning its role in how it unified Japan!

  • Tower Knives Osaka - We get a private knife lesson here. Understand the whole process of how a knife is made (crafted at the rear of the building). After you’ll get to experience cutting with these world famous knives of Sakai (made in the south of Osaka). This lesson is included in the price.

  • Hozenji Yokocho - These hard to find winding, cobblestone alleys steeped with character & tradition is remarkable . We’ll also find walls painted with Osaka’s history etched into it.

  • Morimoto Tatami Shop - This concealed tatami shop off the main shopping area gives us a class on how the tatami mats are made with the igusa rush grass. Very unique experience!

  • America Mura - We’ll guide you to hidden streets in this area where it has Japan’s version of what they think America is. hahah, it even has a statue of liberty on top of a building

  • Dotonbori Tsuribori - Visiting Osaka’s Dotonbori River is a must…..one of our highlights. Along side this picturesque scene is a treasure trove full of more than a variety of stores to entertain you.

  • Shinsekai - We’ll take you wayyy of the beaten path to discover the retro zone where the Osakan locals show their true colors. From crazy fishing restaurants to boardgame gaming shops to retro video machine arcades to old vinyl record stores.

  • Nipponbashi Denden Town - It’s tricky navigating these tucked away quirky stores. Thats what we’re here for…to take you to the gaming & cosplay zone and explore your inner nerdy side hahaha

  • Abeno Harukas - Standing an impressive and staggering 300m tall, Abeno Harukasu is Japan’s tallest building (not structure or tower). Staggering!

  • Shitennoji - A temple that exudes spirituality…even if you’re not religious like me. Regarded as the first Buddhist and oldest officially administered temple in Japan.

  • Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street - Japanese fashion is unique. Here see the lasted clothing and gadget stores.

  • New New Ebisubashi - The original bridge was made out of wood in the 1600’s…more than 400yrs later it still stand but now made out of iron. It is at the very heart of Osaka and is known as the local meeting spot.

  • Osaka Museum of Housing and Living - I’m not a huge fan of museums, but this one is very different. The highlight is a reconstruction of an ancient Osaka town featuring houses, stores and homes of the wealthy & commoners.

What's Included
  • Private personalized tour OR group tour with others
  • 1 Can Drink & 1 small side dish (likely 1 takoyaki ball)
  • Tour on foot, with train or taxi upon request
  • Flexible duration: 3, 4, or 5 hours
What's Not Included
  • Entry tickets to any attractions
  • Transport Costs (normally none, or just 2 short rides of the train)
  • Food & Drink is not included (except for 1 drink & a small side dish)
Additional Information

Your local expert guide will set in motion your Osaka journey, uncovering both the top attractions & hidden gems.

At each site, we’ll engage you with individual stories & historical details accompanied with peculiar factoids and an enthusiastic & humorous presentation:)

You have the liberty to opt from completely personalized private tours OR shared group tours (along with other attendees).

Make your way through untouched bar/restaurant areas of Namba: underground establishments.

Experience the vintage allure of Shinsekai, teeming with eccentric game parlours & friendly street hawkers.

Visit a traditional fish market, where leading chefs continue to source their products even today.

Osaka Castle will exemplify its significant contribution in Japan’s consolidation in the 16th century(only accessible during 5hr tour)

Next, discover concealed cobblestone lanes revealing an age-old assortment of shops boasting their distinctive creations.

Gear up for a sensory explosion as we traverse around huge billboard displays in Dotonbori.

Look forward to an exceptional outing.
An Osaka Food Tours, Inc. Tour

Location
エコステーション21 千日前通駐輪場G
Meet at Namba Subway station (Midosuji Line), exit 24, at the top of the stairs (its at the exact point at where the pin is on the map). Namba Subway station is the very centre of Osaka.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(230 Ratings)
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Rebecca_h
Mar 31, 2024
Great intro to Osaka - We had a great time! Anna is so friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. She’s great with kids and adults. My ten year old really enjoyed the tour. We saw so many interesting places, learned a lot about Osaka, and had tasty snacks. First time Osaka visitors would benefit from this tour to see areas that may inspire spending more time to visit later. Nothing but positive things to say! It is a lot of walking. My ten year old was fine but younger kids may find it difficult and strollers are not feasible on this tour. A baby carrier would be fine.
Review provided by Viator
Alijaustralia
Mar 31, 2024
A must to start in Osaka - Tommy was the best guide we have ever had. We are two older ladies & found Tommy to be a breath of fresh air. He was very entertaining & full of local knowledge & tailored the tour to our interests. We went at our pace & he took us to places we would never have found without him. Found us a fantastic Ramen place for lunch. I had a fall right at the end of the tour & Tommy could not have cared for me better. We were going to catch the train back to our hotel but Tommy insisted on making sure I got back safely. ( Out of his own time) What an absolute legend. Thank you Tommy & Osaka Food tours Ali & Michele
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Padmini_g
Mar 28, 2024
Superb - We enjoyed the time with Kata & he helped us to navigate the metro & took us to some special places & alley ways in Osaka. Unfortunately No communication sent to Viator was given to guide.
Review provided by Viator
John_c
Mar 28, 2024
A Scottish walking tour of Osaka. - Did a private walking tour with Dom(Sean Connery) who was excellent. He adapted quickly to our needs and provided exactly what we wanted in a professional and friendly manner. Highly recommend him
Review provided by Viator
Shalysse_k
Mar 27, 2024
Excellent walking tour of Osaka - We had Mico as our guide for a 5-hour private tour through Osaka. We used the metro system to get around, and it was awesome to see all the hotspot places on a fairly quick walking tour. Mico is funny, knowledgeable, and also gave us some recommendations on things to see/do/eat in Osaka. Highly recommend this tour-you won’t be disappointed.
Review provided by Viator
Charlie_d
Mar 24, 2024
Excellent Intro - We booked a 5 hour private tour with Taka. This was a great intro to the neighborhoods of Osaka. A long day with a lot of information but we felt like it gave us context and a grasp for our continued exploration in the days following our tour. Taka gave great suggestions of activities to do and tailored the tour to our interests. Would recommend this activity for first time visitors to Osaka
Review provided by Viator
B4939zpalexg
Mar 23, 2024
Osaka Kickstart guided walking tour with Rahat - Walking guided tour in Osaka with Rahat was amazing! We covered compilation of most popular, hidden, unusual locations in town. He took us for a quick lunch in traditional Osaka cousin with fried octopus rolls. We walked into vintage, modern and fish markets. Rahat was artificulte, knowledgeable and amusing. If you want to make memories this is the right tour and the tour guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bob_g
Mar 23, 2024
Mico’s 5hr streets tour of Osaka - Mico gave us a great tour of Osaka and his knowledge of the city made for an excellent experience. Used the metro to get to Namba/Dotonbori and walked the streets pointing out all the things we would otherwise have missed. Great little jam packed shop of goods from Japan and elsewhere, pinball store and much more. Capped off with the fish/ food market and sake tasting. Really mixed and entertaining.
Review provided by Viator
Cheryl_c
Mar 23, 2024
Great guide for a great city! - Miko was an excellent guide who customized the day based on our interests. He was informative, engaging; and attentive to our needs throughout the day. Definitely would not have taken in all these gems without the benefit of this tour and guide!
Review provided by Viator
Trail18146841710
Mar 21, 2024
Awesome introduction to Osaka - Awesome way to introduce yourself to Ōsaka. Our tour guide Adam was amazing at showing us around both the tourist attractions and the hidden treasures within the city. He also presented as a friend showing us around his neighbourhood. Would recommend for an introduction to Osaka or if you would like to find the hidden gems.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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