Hotspots & Hidden Gems Tours

・Featured on Britains channel 4 program “Jane McDonald: Lost in Japan”

・Kickstart your Osaka adventure with both the buzzing hubs & secret spots

・Discover the frenetic canal side entertainment district in all its glory

・Modern Osaka meets evocative, traditional hidden alleys

・A comprehensive guide of central Osaka in 3hr, 4hr, 5hr or 7hrs with local recommendations

・Great value: comes with a drink, guidebook, snack & a friendly guide

title

Embark on a vetted Osaka adventure that was showcased on Channel 5 British TV’s “Jane McDonald in Japan.” This tour is not your average experience—it’s a genuine, quirky, and unfiltered snapshot of Osaka.
All your insider guides will entertain you with personal stories, historical facts, and plenty of enthusiasm and humor. 
Slip through non-touristy alleys, traverse the seafood markets, discover what Osaka is well known for and view the Osaka Castle from is majestic grounds.

What’s included

☑Private personalized tour with a local guide

☑Choose your hours & start time:

4hrs … 10am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm or 6;30pm
5hrs … 10am, 11am, 2pm or 4pm
7hrs … 10am, 11am or 2pm

☑1 Can Drink & 1 small side dish (likely 1 takoyaki ball)

☑Your guide will pick you up at your hotel or cruise Terminal

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)

Important Points

Time:
10am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm or 6:30pm

Hours:
4 hours, 5 hours or 7 hours

Meetin Point or request pickup:

・Come to Meeting Point – Namba Metro Station Exit #24, top of the stairs
(ADDRESS: 2-chōme-2-8 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan)
・Hotel Pickup
Hotels where this option is available are in the Chuo-ku, Kita-ku, and Shin-Osaka areas of Osaka City.
・Tempozan – Osaka Cruise Terminal

Hours:
4 hours, 5 hours or 7 hours

Date:
Tours available 7 days a week

What To Expect

– PRIVATE TOURS ARE 100% PERSONALIZED
❶ Hozenji Yokocho
These hard to find winding, cobblestone alleys steeped with character & tradition. We’ll also find walls painted with Osaka’s history etched into it.

❷ Dotonbori River
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.

❸ Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
Japanese fashion is unique, wonderful and crazy. Also see the wacky and cool gadget stores.

❹ 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. Snap a few pics here.

❺ 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. Comical and outlandish.

❻ 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.

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

❽ Shinsekai
We’ll take you way 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.

❾ 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.

 

– ONLY AVAILABLE ON 5HR OR 7HR TOURS
➓ Abeno Harukas Standing an impressive and staggering 300m tall, Abeno Harukasu is Japan’s tallest building (not structure or tower). Staggering!

⓫ Shitennoji It is the first Buddhist and oldest officially administered temple in Japan. A temple that exudes spirituality…even if you’re not religious like me.

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

⓭ Morimoto Tatami Shop (If it is open, not open on set days) 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

⓮ Osaka Museum of Housing and Living (Only available on a 7hr tour) 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 both the wealthy & commoners.

Price List

4hr Private Tour

per person / total:

  • 1ppl ‥ 28,000JPY / 28,000JPY
  • 2ppl ‥ 18,000JPY / 36,000JPY
  • 3ppl ‥ 15,000JPY / 45,000JPY
  • 4ppl ‥ 13,500JPY / 54,000JPY
  • 5ppl ‥ 12,000JPY / 60,000JPY
  • 6ppl ‥ 10,500JPY / 63,000JPY
  • 7-15 ppl‥ 9,200JPY / 64,400JPY – 138,000JPY

5hr Private Tour 

per person / total:

  • 1ppl ‥ 38,000JPY / 38,000JPY
  • 2ppl ‥ 22,000JPY / 44,000JPY
  • 3ppl ‥ 19,000JPY / 57,000JPY
  • 4ppl ‥ 16,000JPY / 64,000JPY
  • 5ppl ‥ 14,000JPY / 70,000JPY
  • 6ppl ‥ 12,000 JPY / 72,000 JPY
  • 7-15 ppl‥ 11,000JPY / 77,000JPY – 165,000JPY

7hr Private Tour 

per person / total:

  • 1ppl ‥ 55,000JPY / 55,000JPY
  • 2ppl ‥ 34,000JPY / 68,000JPY
  • 3ppl ‥ 26,000JPY / 78,000JPY
  • 4ppl ‥ 23,000JPY / 92,000JPY
  • 5ppl ‥ 20,000JPY / 100,000JPY
  • 6ppl ‥ 18,000 JPY / 108,000 JPY
  • 7-15 ppl‥ 15,000JPY / 105,000JPY – 225,000JPY

Note: Ticket price same for all ages (except,12yrs and younger are free). 

531a649b-ce1e-41b4-928a-85196ccec7b9

Get tons of recommendations of my favourite places to eat, and what else to see, so get ready to dive deep into Osaka-ben culture!
You will also get an insightful understanding of everyday Japanese customs, including topics that local guides may not be comfortable letting visitors know about, so please ask me any questions!
Slip through the non-touristy bar zones of Osaka, and even get a glimpse of a Yakuza clubhouse (it’s safe and we’ll just walk past it).
We’ll check out a traditional food market where top chefs continue to shop at everyday (daytime tours only).
We’ll contrast that by ducking into quiet cobblestoned back alleys to uncover a mystic temple and its centuries-old history.Be prepared for a sensory overload as we navigate wacky larger-than-life billboards highlighting modern Japanese culture. You’ll get to hear plenty of interesting stories about Osaka along the way & get some fantastic photo opportunities.

What’s included

A light Japanese snack.
A hot or cold beverage
A detailed guide book for Osaka, Kyoto & Nara
A passionate tour guide ready for every one of your questions
Choose your start time: 10am or 6:30pm

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)

Important Points

Start Time:
10am or 6:30pm

Arrival Time:
Please arrive 15 minutes before starting time

Hours:
3 hours

Meetin Point:
Namba Metro Station,
Exit #24, top of the stairs
(Address: 2-chōme-2-8 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan)

Price:
Adults (13 years old & above) ¥7,000
Kids (3 to 12 years old) ¥1,800
Infants (0 to 2 years old) ¥0

Date:
Tours available 7 days a week

Extra Information

If we need to cancel the tour due to weather, we will contact you 3 hours before the tour starts and refund your payment in full

You will be walking around 1km over 3 hours on flat surfaces, so please bring confortable walking shoes

Please arrive 15 minutes before starting time so that we can commence on time 

Meeting Point

Namba Metro Station

(Exit #24, top of the stairs)