Things to do in

Kita Ward

Orientate yourself and check out a few of the most famous attractions in Osaka with your personal guide. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Let a local kick-start your trip by showing you the highlights and giving you a priceless insight into city life, from advice about cultural practices to the best spots to eat authentic local food. Explore Osaka like a local and make the most of your time in Osaka from the start. Follow the unique route which your local host has designed specifically for you, either by walking or using public transport so you can get familiar with how to move around the city. Learn about the city’s cultural practices, heritage, culture and cuisine as you explore the city together, perhaps stopping to try some authentic local street food or visiting a shrine. Your local will give your trip the best possible start, helping you to make the most of your time in Osaka.

Discover The Umeda Sky Building, also known as the "New Umeda City" and enjoy this spectacular high-rise building in the Kita district of Osaka, near Osaka and Umeda Stations.  The 173-meter tall building consists of 2 towers that are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers great views of the city through its windows and from its open-air deck. In the basement you find a restaurant floor that replicates a town of the early Showa Period, while offices occupy most other floors.

Experience Osaka like a resident on a private walking tour with a local host. Get tips on what to see and do, and learn the best ways to get around. Benefit from pick-up at your accommodation and get familiar with your local neighborhood. Discover where to buy groceries or where the best local places to eat are located and much more. Alternatively, meet at a central landmark or intersection to start your walking tour. Venture beyond the usual tourist sites and discover places you would never read about in the guidebooks. Avail of an itinerary that can be tailored to your interests and specific needs. Ride on the public transportation system, at your own expense, if you prefer. Chat with your guide about life in the city and its many traditions. Feel more confident getting around and exploring on your own by the end of your experience.

Meet your guide at JR Osaka station and then take the train from there to Osaka Castle. First, you will visit the Osaka Museum of History. You'll see a replica of the great council hall of Naniwanomiya Palace and learn about the history of Osaka. Then, visit Nishinomaru Garden. This is a great spot to take some photos with Osaka Castle in the background. Next, you'll head to Otemon, the main gate of Osaka Castle where you'll marvel at the gigantic stones used to build the castle walls. In the main castle area, you will also visit Osaka Castle Tower, see the reconstructed golden traditional tea ceremony room, and admire the amazing view from the observatory. Don't miss the authentic Samurai uniforms that they used to wear into war. After your visit to the castle, have lunch at MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO, and then enjoy a cruise on the castle moat in an traditional boat to view the high stone walls and the gardens from a different perspective.

Ride one of Japan's famous high-speed trains with a one-way Thunderbird Express ticket from Kanazawa to Osaka. Book your ticket in advance for a smooth experience at the station. After redeeming your ticket at Kanazawa JR Station, sit back and relax with scenic views of the Fukui Prefecture and Ishikawa Prefecture countryside. Expect lush forests, natural lakes, and even hot springs for views before you arrive in Osaka.

Discover Osaka’s art scene on a private guided tour, perfect for museum lovers. Meet your guide at Fukushima station and head to the National Museum of Art Osaka, to see incredible modern art exhibits. Continue to Graf, a famous design studio and homeware shop. Next you’ll visit Nakanoshima Kosetsu Museum of Art, to browse their collection of swords, armor, Buddhism art, and Japanese tea ceremony tools. Pass the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library and Osaka City Central Public Hall, to admire their amazing architecture. Finish your tour at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, to see beautiful examples of this traditional art form.

Meet your guide at JR Osaka station and first visit the Umeda Sky Building and Kuchu Teien Observatory, one of the most famous buildings in the city, known for its striking architectural design. Then, take a short train ride and visit Osaka Castle. This famous castle is home to a museum where you can learn about its historical significance. See various traditional military artefacts from the time of its construction. From the top floor of the castle, there is an observation deck where you can enjoy spectacular views of the entire city. Take another train ride to the Shinsaibashi district, a major shopping hub in Osaka where long-established department stores and international luxury brands are located. Walk to Dotonbori Street, one of the most colorful and lively areas of the city, where you can snap some photos of the striking advertisements all around you. Stroll down Hozenji-Yokocho, a side street that exudes a serene atmosphere. Admire the moss-covered Buddha statues and the maze-like narrow alleyways which make this place an oasis of calm amongst the hustle and bustle of downtown Osaka. Stop at the Kuromon Ichiba Market known as "Osaka's kitchen" where you can find fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits from all over the region. Discover the vibrant Den-Den Town where you will learn more about Japanese pop culture, browsing various stops selling various anime, manga, and video game paraphernalia. Take another train ride and arrive at Shitennoji Temple, which has a fascinating 1,400-year history. Finally, finish the tour in the Shinsekai area of the city. with its many restaurants and theaters as well as the famous Tsutenkaku Tower, the symbol of Osaka.

Ride one of Japan's famous bullet trains with a one-way Thunderbird Express ticket between Osaka and Kanazawa. Book your ticket in advance for a smooth experience at the station. After redeeming your ticket at Osaka Train Station, sit back and relax with scenic views of the Fukui Prefecture and Ishikawa Prefecture countryside.Expect lush forests, natural lakes, and even hot springs for views. After 2 hours and 40 minutes, you'll arrive in Kanazawa and be able to explore the famous castle town. The city has many historical attractions, such as restored residences and the Nagamachi Samurai district, as well as Kenrokuen, one of the Japan's three best landscape gardens. For an authentic experience, even head to the local fish market to sample best quality sea food.

Enjoy a fast and hassle-free journey from Hakata Station in Fukuoka to Osaka. Book this 1-way Sanyo Shinkansen Kokura ticket and ride on the famous Shinkansen Bullet Train. Enjoy the comfort of the spacious seat and its peaceful environment. Admire the scenic views of the Fukuoka prefecture countryside all throughout your journey to Osaka city center. Simply redeem your ticket at the ticket machine and enjoy the comfort on this high-speed ride to your destination.

As the sun sets, the night breaths life into the Osaka metropolis. After dusk, the city is bathed in a colorful blend of incandescent and tungsten light. Capture the dreamscape of people, traffic, and city lights with your camera. Learn how to photograph the hordes of people against a backdrop of bustling traffic. Begin in the bustling heart of the city at Osaka station. After exploring its labyrinthine walkways and passages, venture out into the Umeda district, the nightlife capital of the city. Decipher your camera’s manual settings and capture long exposures in the city. Choose the tripod add-on option to snap steady shots and use the traffic’s constant motion to create breathtaking compositions of light trails. Switch to handheld photography and work on low-light street photography to capture the essence of Osaka at night. Round things off with an exploration of the Kitashinchi entertainment district, known for its glitzy bars and extravagant neon signage.