Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots and Hidden Gems Private or Group Tours

4.9
(1,065 reviews)

3 to 7 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Kickstart your day or night Osaka walking adventure with this tour featured on Channel 5 British TV 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.

Slip through Namba: hole in the wall bars/eateries, as well as Kuromon seafood market. (If you want lunch/dinner after the tour, we'll recommend delicious local restaurants too)

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

Osaka Castle will also showcase it's immense role in Japan's unification (only 5hr or 7hr tours)

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

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
This is a tour on foot, but can use train or taxi if requested(at your own expense of course)
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)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

PIck up is only for 4hr or 5hr or 7hr private tours. Meet in the foyer or front main doors of your hotel

OR
Meeting point

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.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 to 7 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    These hard to find winding, cobblestone alleys steeped with character & tradition is remarkable . We'll also find walls painted with Osaka's history etched into it.

    20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2

    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.

    45 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3

    Japanese fashion is unique, wonderful and crazy. Also see the wacky and cool gadget stores.

    20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4

    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.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    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

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6

    (almost always get here on a 3hr tour..depends how fast the group walks) 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.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    (almost always get here on a 3hr tour..depends how fast the group walks) It's tricky navigating these tucked away quirky stores. Thats what we're here for...to take you to the gaming & cosplay zone and explore your inner nerdy side hahaha

    Admission ticket free
  • 7

    (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 4HR, 5HR OR 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) We'll take you wayyy 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.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 8

    (ONLY ON THE 4HR OR 5HR PRIVATE TOUR) 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.

    15 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 9

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

    20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 10

    (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 5HR OR 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) 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.

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 11

    (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 5HR OR 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) Osaka's most notable structure. The park surrounding will also be explored mentioning its role in how it unified Japan!

    1 hour 10 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 12

    (ONLY AVAILABLE ON A 7HR PRIVATE TOUR) A hidden gem specializing in this unique, timeless tradition...small but a welcoming atmosphere with a mix of old, originals from the Edo period, and new works.

    15 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 13

    (ONLY AVAILABLE ON 7HR PRIVATE 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 the wealthy & commoners.

    45 minutes Admission ticket not included

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
Supplied by Osaka Food Tours

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Tags

Day Trips
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Ports of Call Tours
Shore Excursions
Food & Drink
Excellent Quality
Worry-Free Shore Excursion
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Viator Experience Award 2025
Curated Catalog
Port Pickup
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.9 Based on 1065 1065 reviews
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