Begin by getting a feel for retro Osaka. Be transported back in time to a Japan barely recognizable. Jump into retro video game parlors, old-fashioned markets, and more. See how the locals entertain and are entertained by night, from games unique to Japan, to crazy fishing restaurants, to a peek in an Osakan theater. Your next stop will be within some of the most amazing back alleys you'll ever see. Interact with your surroundings, feeling the profound energy and history of the area. Sample 2 delicious side dishes from two different stalls here. A stone's throw and you're within an area filled with untouched, abandoned properties, which provides a truly surreal experience in the middle of the city. Afterwards, you'll have the option to walk through the red light district, or to skip it and go on a separate path.  This Taisho-Era red light district is incredibly preserved from that period, and consists of UNESCO-listed buildings important to Osakan culture. Finally, you'll have the option to eat a full dinner at a tasty, tradition restaurant after the tour has ended.  This tour is not necessarily recommended for all; if you are intrepid, well traveled, and seeking glimpse into an unfiltered, honest side of Osaka, it is a good choice for you. Note that this tour exposes the good, the bad, and everything in between. It includes taboo topics as well, which are very important in forming a complete picture of Japan and its people, such as Yakuza, sexism, war, illegal gambling, sex work, illicit businesses, pachinko, homelessness, welfare, and more. Note also that this tour will not go through the homeless district. Your guides are always respectful should people who are homeless also be traveling the same route as the tour.

There’s a reason why Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan, but as well as districts that are packed full of tiny local eateries and world-class restaurants, the city has an exciting and diverse street food scene. You'll be paired with a foodie local host ready to introduce you to their favorite izakayas and street food stalls. To really get a taste of local life, you can’t miss exploring Osaka’s street food culture, and what better way than with a local by your side to take you to the best vendors and food carts where the locals really eat. From delicacies you’ve never heard of such as okonomiyaki, to staples like yakisoba, you will discover all the best dishes and local specialties in Dotonbori. With your local by your side, you'll be able to really experience local life and immerse yourself in the vibrant street food culture. You can try dishes that have been perfected in this city such as oden, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu and takoyaki, sampling them from a food cart recommended by your local. You can get to know Osaka’s food scene as well as the traditional regional and Japanese dishes cooked up and served at all hours of the day by local vendors. Your host will take you to the spots where you can learn about the dishes and the local ingredients, as you taste the best of what Osaka has to offer. Spend time getting to know your local host, as you chat about your favorite cuisine and get some insider recommendations of the most authentic local places to eat and drink on the rest of your trip.

Discover 2 of Osaka's most interesting neighborhoods, Dotonbori and Shinsekai, with a local guide. Soak up the incredible engergy of the city and immerse yourself in its gastronomic culture as you visit the best local food haunts. Get the chance to sample 8 of Osaka's local delicacies, from okonomiyaki, which is a type of savory pancake, to kushikatsu and takoyaki, a delicious traditional Japanese appetizer. During the tour, visit popular tourist attractions as well as off-the-beaten-track local fooderies as you learn about Osaka's development. Witness the striking contrasts between modern and traditional architecture as you make your way between unchanged, traditional building and modern developments.

Kuromon Market, also known as the "Kitchen of the Nation,” is one of the most important culinary centers of Japanese culture. Most of the family-owned businesses in the market have been there for decades. Renowned for its bounty of delicious street foods, Kuromon is much beloved by locals. Try authentic local foods, like takoyaki, grilled scallops, grilled yakitori skewers, and much more — your guide will help you sort through the array of food stalls to pick the best that the market has to offer. With the tour including enough food samplings to fill you up, make sure you come hungry. All the while, you’ll pick up insights into authentic Japanese culture as you learn about the fascinating history of the market, as well as Osaka’s contemporary and historical role in the country’s culture. You’ll also get some great tips from your guide about where to buy some souvenirs if you so desire.

The Hanami spirit during Cherry Blossom season in Osaka is celebrated in many parts of the city but, perhaps the best place to see the blossoms is around the Osaka Castle area. Experience this walking tour of the castle grounds, exploring the gardens and surrounding neighborhood. You'll taste local treats and beverages from festive street stalls, explore the history of the district, and finish up with an amazing Japanese lunch at a delicious Soba restaurant. Sakura season is short, lasting for about one month from the first tiny buds to the finish of the season, with the peak being about two weeks. It is impossible to predict exact dates each year, but this limited-edition tour is offered in the time period which is the most famous for Hanami. Along with your guide, you'll learn about the history of the area as well as the meaning and reason behind the Sakura season. You'll also taste local specialties that are bound to be pleasing to the eye and to the palate. You'll will try local snacks and enjoy a special Hanami seasonal lunch at an amazing Soba restaurant.

Start your tour in the the bright and busy Doutonburi area, learn about a Filipino sprinter named Fortunato Catalon who inspired a nation and a company! The lights and sounds of Dotounburi often lead you astray to overly-commercialised restaurants with queues of tourists outside. Instead, take secret alleys toward the hidden areas. Sample Kushikatsu, a local take on Yakitori, and discover a Michelin-rated street food stop for Osaka’s favorite snack – Takoyaki! Head to an Izakaya, or local pub, with seasonal dishes that will intrigue and delight. Enjoy yakitori, sukiyaki, tempura, and a drink. Try a draft beer or Nihonshu (rice wine) with your tasty meal. From there, see a famous building full of hidden unorthodox bars, one after another. Every 5 steps there is a new door with a new adventure to be had. This area gives you the retro, artsy feel of a very hip and unique cluster of bars. Finally, finish off with a tasty local street food dessert! 

Experience an unforgettable stroll through the historical food streets of Osaka and eat like a local in the city known as “Japan’s Kitchen”. Your local expert will take you on an unforgettable eating excursion through the busy streets and the hidden, less-frequented parts of South Osaka. The tour kicks off in the busy Doutonburi area where you will learn about "Glico man", a Filipino sprinter named Fortunato Catalon who inspired a nation and a company. Similar to Shibuya (its counterpart in Tokyo), the sights and sounds of Dotounburi often lead you astray to overly-commercialized restaurants with queues of tourists outside. Your guides will take you to places which you would certainly miss without a local's assistance. You'll travel down secret alleys not long after you begin the tour, making your way towards a shrine which is hidden from sight for the average passerby. You will sample Kushikatsu (deep-fried meat and vegetable skewers) as well as a local take on Yakitori, before being taken to a Michelin-rated street-food stop for Osaka’s favorite snack: Takoyaki. Next, travel down more narrow alleys and see some of the more unconventional restaurants and pubs. Your guide will then lead you to a local lunch spot of an "Izakaya" (or local gastro-pub), with seasonal dishes and lunch sets that will be sure to intrigue and delight you. From there you’ll explore other nearby local neighborhoods before finally finishing off with a tasty local street-food dessert.

Play a 1.5-hour exploration game in the heart of Osaka city and discover the historical changes of the city from the Edo period to the present. Explore food heaven in Osaka, follow the clues, and try delicious and peculiar dishes along the way. Follow each culinary clue on your smartphone and get exact directions to the next location so you will not need a map, GPS, or guide. Unlock the secret story of each place as you solve the problems and guess the answers. Play individually, as a group, and solve the clues together as you walk or split into smaller teams and compete against the others. Download the app, go to the starting point, and begin the adventure!

Spend the day exploring the unique Shinsekai district which dates back to the early 1900’s and grew in popularity through the post-war Showa era until the 1960’s. Discover the local spots in this district such as shops, restaurants and gaming parlors which cater to the everyday laborers who live nearby. Take a stroll with our local expert and find the hidden gems that explain the colorful history of Shinsekai through the years. Try 6 different local dishes at 5 different shops, each of which has a long history in the Osaka area.

Orientate yourself and check out a few of the most famous attractions in Osaka with your personal like-minded host, who will suggest a completly personalized itinerary based on your interests and preferences. 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.