Osaka is known for great food, quirky characters and an urban history much longer than Tokyo's. Get under the skin of this unique city on this guided walking tour with a professional English-speaking guide.  Start off with a visit to Osaka Castle Park. You won't go inside the castle, but will get to admire the grand and imposing exterior, and will stroll around the surrounding park.  Here you'll learn about the history of Osaka and how it was almost robbed from the Japanese 400 years ago.  A quick train ride takes you to Tsuruhashi, to explore the maze of Korea Town. Explore the narrow streets and alleys of this pre-war commercial district.  Another quick journey by public transport will take you to modern Harukas building. Enjoy the view from one of the high floors, then head underground to explore the food hall of the department store underneath. See high quality products for sale like killer puffer fish and Kobe beef, amongst others.  Not far from Harukas is the traditional district of Shin-sekai. See the slightly crumbling local highlights, perfectly frozen in time.  Next, head to Namba, considered to be the center of Osaka's present-day shopping, dining, and entertainment culture. Visit Dotonbori, Osaka’s version of Times Square in New York, and explore the quirky back streets with their own individuality and surprises in store. You’ll visit Kuromon Ichiba, a fresh fish market that's played a pivotal role for more than 150 years.  Finally, explore Doguyasuji, a kitchen and cooking district. Look around at the wax food models, Japanese "noren" (curtains that hang at kitchen entrances) and giant pottery pieces. 

Embark on a guided walking tour in Osaka and discover the city's hotspots and hidden gems with the help of a local guide. Gain insight into everyday Japanese customs, including the good, the bad, and everything in between. Meet your guide and begin your exploration by slipping through a hidden maze of bars and restaurants in central Osaka. Go off the beaten path and discover haunts loved by locals, even passing by a Yakuza clubhouse as you walk. Next, check out the traditional Kuromon Ichiba Market, a seafood market where top chefs head to purchase their fresh ingredients every day. Then, leave the hustle and bustle of the busy market behind as you duck into quiet cobblestoned back alleys to uncover a mystic temple and its centuries-old unique history while passing boutique eateries and hidden shops. As you continue your Osaka adventure, prepare yourself for a sensory overload as you navigate wacky larger-than-life billboards highlighting modern Japanese culture. Follow your guide through the central Dotonbori area and listen to interesting stories about Osaka as you go. Then, get a glimpse into what the Japanese think of American culture when you visit America-mura before heading to the old Shinsekai neighborhood. Admire the intriguing mix of crazy fishing restaurants and ancient Japanese gaming parlors. Choose to extend your experience by opting for the 4-hour private tour and visit a knife shop for a private demonstration of knife skills. Explore even more alleys filled with authentic restaurants, and discover the Dotonbori River area in greater detail.

Get entry tickets to Abeno Harukas 300 in Osaka, with access to the 58th to 60th floor of the city’s highest skyscraper at 300 meters (984 feet) high. Spend time at luxury stores, restaurants, art galleries, and 2 observation decks. Take an elevator up to the 58th floor and step out onto an open-air plaza. Enjoy the fresh air, or visit the Sky Garden 300 restaurant to indulge in a delicious meal while savoring the view. Next, head up to the 60th floor and be prepared to be blown away by a panoramic view of Osaka, as well as the surrounding region, from Kyoto, Kobe, and the Rokko mountains, from behind a panoramic glass-enclosed deck.

Discover how Osaka has centuries more history than Tokyo and a merchant culture that still strongly resonates today on this full-day guided tour by private vehicle.  First stop is a visit to the Osaka Castle, where you will explore the grounds and enjoy the view of the castle’s exterior. Then, visit what is said to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, Shitennoji.  Next, head to Shin-sekai. A short stroll around the area will show you typical foods, games, and Osaka's famously bad fashion sense. After lunch, visit the Harukas building to admire views across the city as you soar up a glass elevator. At the basement of this tall building is a local marketplace with some of the finest foods on display, such as Kobe beef and high end sushi.  You will then explore Dotonbori, sometimes compared to New York's Times Square. Explore the side streets and hear interesting stories from your guide. Finally, visit the market of Kuromon Ichiba, where there's a deep history and unique vibe.

Join a local guide to experience the authentic side of Osaka. Get a personalized tour of the city’s fascinating history, culture, and fantastic food scene as you’re led among its liveliest districts. Visit some off-the-beaten-path spots and hidden gems as you become immersed in the local lifestyle. Osaka’s whirlwind of chaotic shopping, lantern-lit mazes of izakaya bars, and frenetic canal-side entertainment districts is a lot to get to grips with. Your local insider will make sure you make the most of your time together. Discover locals-only Osaka, where fishermen is a delicacy and vendors consider bargaining a traditional art form. Hop on the train to the high-energy entertainment district of Namba, an area that’s buzzing with locals looking for a good time 24/7. Stroll down lively streets to Kuromon Market, a covered space packed with over 100 shops and vendors selling street food, shellfish, and souvenirs. (If you’re feeling peckish, point out the seafood that tickles your fancy, from scallops to sea urchin, and watch a vendor cooked right in front of you!). Next up, explore tranquil Hozenji Yokocho, a stone-paved lane packed with long-standing Japanese bars and restaurants that retains the spirit of the Osaka of yesteryear, and see Sennichimae Kitchenware Street – a street dedicated entirely to kitchen utensils and food supplies! Peer into the shops and restaurants lining the Soemon-cho entertainment district, an area with more than 400 years of history, and get lost in Den-Den Town, the perfect place to geek out over cameras, computers, pop culture, games, and anime. After that, get blinded by Dotonbori, a snapshot of typical Osaka, where colossal food signs and flashing lights illuminate your path (don’t miss the eye-catching Glico Running Man above Ebisubashi Bridge), then take a pleasant walk through to Shinsaibashi and the creative, youth-oriented America-mura – a treasure trove of retro stores, independent galleries, and cool cafés. Important: Your personalized itinerary will be planned according to the number of hours booked and adapted to your preferences. Once you’ve booked, someone from the local tour operator's team will be in touch, so let them know if you have any special requirements. The places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences.