Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Tours

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: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hozenji Yokocho - These elusive, winding cobblestone alleys are rich in character and tradition. We’ll also see walls adorned with Osaka’s historical murals.

  • Dotonbori Tsuribori - A visit to Osaka’s Dotonbori River is essential and one of our highlights. This scenic area is surrounded by a plethora of stores to keep you entertained.

  • Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street - Japanese fashion is unique, wonderful, and eccentric. Also, check out the quirky and cool gadget stores.

  • New New Ebisubashi - Originally built from wood in the 1600s, this bridge now stands strong in iron over 400 years later. It is the heart of Osaka and a popular local meeting spot.

  • America Mura - We’ll guide you through hidden streets in this area, showcasing Japan’s interpretation of America, complete with a Statue of Liberty on a building.

  • Kuromon Market - (almost always reached on a 3-hour tour, depending on the group’s pace) We’ll visit fish market stores that appear unremarkable from the outside but reveal a seafood paradise inside. Watch a store cut and prepare fugu (puffer fish) and learn how to cut tuna. The salmon sashimi here is some of the best in Japan.

  • Nipponbashi Denden Town - (almost always reached on a 3-hour tour, depending on the group’s pace) Navigating these hidden quirky stores can be tricky. We’re here to guide you to the gaming and cosplay zone and explore your inner nerd.

  • Shinsekai - (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 4HR, 5HR, OR 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) We’ll take you off the beaten path to discover the retro zone where Osakan locals show their true colors. From quirky fishing restaurants to board game shops, retro arcades, and old vinyl record stores.

  • Tower Knives Osaka - (ONLY ON THE 4HR OR 5HR PRIVATE TOUR) We get a private knife lesson here. Learn the entire process of knife-making (crafted at the back of the building). You’ll also get to experience cutting with these world-famous Sakai knives (made in southern Osaka). This lesson is included in the price.

  • Abeno Harukas - (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 5HR OR 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) Standing at an impressive 300 meters, Abeno Harukas is Japan’s tallest building (not structure or tower). Truly staggering!

  • Shitennoji - (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 5HR OR 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) It is Japan’s first Buddhist temple and the oldest officially administered temple. A place that exudes spirituality, even if you’re not religious.

  • Osaka Castle - (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 5HR OR 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) Osaka’s most iconic structure. We’ll also explore the surrounding park and discuss its role in unifying Japan.

  • Morimoto Tatami Shop - (ONLY AVAILABLE ON A 7HR PRIVATE TOUR & IF IT’S OPEN…OWNERS DON’T HAVE SET OPEN DAYS) This hidden tatami shop off the main shopping area offers a class on how tatami mats are made with igusa rush grass. A very unique experience!

  • Osaka Museum of Housing and Living - (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) I’m not a huge fan of museums, but this one is different. The highlight is a reconstruction of an ancient Osaka town featuring houses, stores, and homes of both the wealthy and commoners.

What's Included
  • Private personalized tour or group tour with others
  • 1 can drink & 1 small side dish (likely 1 takoyaki ball)
  • Choose your hours: 3hrs, 4hrs, 5hrs, 7hrs
  • Tour on foot, with optional train or taxi (at your own expense)
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

Kickstart your day or night Osaka walking adventure with this tour featured on Channel 5 British TV in 2023 on the hugely popular series “Jane McDonald In Japan”, chosen for its “genuine, quirky & unfiltered snapshot of Osaka”.

Your local insider guide will pair every location with personal stories & historical info with quirky facts and a great dose of enthusiasm & humour:)

You get to choose from private totally customized tours OR a group tour(mixed with other guests).

Slip through the non-touristy bar/restaurant zones of Namba: hole in the wall eateries, as well as Kuromon seafood market.

The retro district will share its charm with wacky game palors & friendly vendors while the Dotonbori will provide a sensory overload, billoards glore!

Osaka Castle will showcase it’s immense role in the unification of Japan in 16th century (only 4hr , 5hr or 7hr tours)

After, explore hidden cobblestone alleys uncovering a centuries old collection of stores crafting their unique designs.

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
(379 Ratings)
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J2147mqwen
Jul 30, 2024
Best Day! - We had an amazing tour with Rhatt! We were 8 people - adults and teens. He did a great job keeping everyone interested and engaged. He had a ton of information and led us through many sites and areas. Would definitely recommend! 11/10 tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erin_c
Jul 30, 2024
Wonderful experience. - It was an absolutely wonderful time! Adam was so knowledgeable and friendly and we really enjoyed everywhere he took us. Would definitely recommend him to anybody.
Review provided by Viator
Dawn_m
Jul 28, 2024
Great tour - We toured the city with Shems, and he was very helpful and informative. He customized our day with our preferences. We really enjoyed Kuromon market, and learned a lot!
Review provided by Viator
Philip_m
Jul 28, 2024
Book now thank later - Could not have asked for a better guide than Mico! He kept us moving awhile also going with the flow if we required more time in certain areas for the kids. Highly recommend as an introduction or even if you’ve visited many times before! So much to see and experience
Review provided by Viator
Karendq7965bi
Jul 27, 2024
Walking in Osaka - Stephanie was a great guide on this tour of Osaka. Really enjoyed the tour and would definitely recommend. Lots of info and insights into Osaka, eating and drinking. Walking through the back streets and lane ways gives a refreshingly different view of the city. The Sake tasting was really good as well as giving a nice break from the heat and humidity. If you don't like heat and humidity, avoid July!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peterdp3454tg
Jul 27, 2024
Great insight into locations we would otherwise have missed - Stephanie conducted us on a wonderful tour that took us into places that we would have otherwise missed seeing. Stephanie's knowledge of the locations and local culture that she shared with us was fantastic and really enhance the tour experience. Thanks Stephanie and we would highly recommend this tour to others!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cqt777
Jul 25, 2024
Perfect Osaka kickstarter - Dom was a great tour guide. He gave us a lot of history and customized our tour to make it fun for the family. We definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Greggs680
Jul 22, 2024
Super friendly tour guides - My son and I did this tour and it was a perfect way to spend a few hours. The tour guides were knowledgable, super friendly and spoke great english. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Siobhann156
Jul 20, 2024
A really worthwhile trip to do! - Delighted we did this tour. Tommy had a great inside knowledge and was so informative and had a lovely way of explaining everything. We saw so much in the few hours and learned so much about the way of life in Osaka. Tommy was a fantastic guide. We highly recommend this trip. Thank you Tommy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jtperthaus
Jul 17, 2024
Osaka off the beaten track - VERY Knowledgable & friendly guide. English speaking. 🙂🤓 Tour company sent guidance re trains and subways to get to meeting point. We loved our intro to Osaka. Ookini Mico
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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