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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
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Tour of Osaka Tenjin-matsuri Festival / Cruising on the rivercover image

Tour of Osaka Tenjin-matsuri Festival / Cruising on the river

Osaka
4 hours

(Highlights) Held in the evening of July 25 each year, this festival attracts more than a million spectators. Dozens of rafts full of invited, kimono-clad people towed by small boats go upstream the major river in the heart of Osaka, while on-lookers watch from the river bank, nearby bridges and the pier. There stand stalls selling varieties of food, filling in every nook and corner of the river bank. Thousands of fireworks are shot up into the night sky to the great enjoyment of visitors. (Origin of the festival) The myth says that in the year 951, two years after God descended from heaven and settled in the Tenmangu Shrine, they flowed a sacred float in the river from the nearby beach and a funeral hall was built and "misogi" purification ceremony held at the shore where the float reached. Then, those living near the shrine and worshipers built a ship to contributed to the shrine. (How to enjoy) You can see rafts full of "yukata"-clad people in the festive mood on board slowly going upstream the river, while being soaked in the cool evening atmosphere. After dark, fireworks setting the skies ablaze make you sigh in joyful excitement. You can have whatever food you like at the stalls built in the riverbank. (Transportation) The JR train fare from Kyoto station to Osaka station is 560 yen and the subway fare, 180 yen. (Others) Since the venue is very crowded, please do your utmost in protecting yourself from being bumped by others and from theft. If you are there on the days other than the festival day, you can enjoy cruising on board a sightseeing ship called "Osaka water-bus" for a fee of 1,700 yen for one-hour ride. You can see the landscape of Osaka city from different angles as the ship sails along the river. Daytime only, however.

FROM$142/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.
Tatsuhiro N.
4.56 / 5
(62 reviews)

Osaka Shore Excursion Tours

Osaka Tour Reviews

An Epic Night

Richard is an absolute legend. Best guide and best night we had in Japan so far. He'll wine and dine you like you wouldn't believe it. Unless you have the personality of a radish - BOOK HIM.

Tana W.

Richard 'hawk' H.

Wow. Tana, thank you. I like radishes as ling as they are not raw. LOLOLOLO

Natsuko was amazing!

Natsuko was like a close friend from the start. She’s energetic, sweet and someone easy to talk to and communicate with. She’s a mom too and was patient with our kids and adjusted timing as needed. She knew what the adults wanted to see AND what the kids wanted to see. She never rushed us but reminded us of timing and gave us fair warning of how long we would have if we veered off course a bit. She also came prepared with little gifts for our kids, who loved the attention. When one of our excursions was unexpectedly closed, we asked her where we can take the kids that they would like. She took them to a claw machine store and gave them coins to play. She then took us all to Don Quixote and gave us recommendations on what to get and helped us find things we were looking for. The day we were with her in Osaka was the day we walked the most! We covered some serious ground! Even though she told us upfront that she could only guide us til 4p she stayed longer even knowing she had to pick up her daughter. We felt so bad but she safely got her daughter. She also knew the best spots to take photos, thought ahead and got tickets for Osaka Castle ahead of time so we wouldn’t have to stand in line just for tickets for 30+ mins on a hot day. In addition, she reserved a wonderful little teppanyaki restaurant for lunch and asked us ahead of time for our orders so everything would run smoother. It was a beautiful day with her and I hope one day she will come visit us in Los Angeles! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her and I highly recommend you book her for Osaka and/or Kobe. You won’t be disappointed!

Zalina V.

Natsuko I.

Hi Zalina, First of all, thank you for choosing me among so many guides and for making a reservation. I also really appreciate the detailed review you wrote. From the moment I met you, I felt like we were good friends. When I guide families with children, I always think about how to make it fun for the kids. As a mom myself, I know that seeing kids having fun makes me happy too, right? So, I enjoyed pretending to be samurai together during the Osaka Castle tour. The kids were really good at the shuriken game and seemed to have a great time. I was so happy to be with such kind and friendly people. Hearing one of the kids say it was her first time seeing such a beautiful view at the Umeda Sky Building made me really happy. On the way back, they told me they wanted me to visit Los Angeles next time, and that they would be the guides for me then. How sweet of them! Thank you for also caring about picking up my daughter. I would love to meet you all again! Natsuko

A day of site seeing in Osaka with Takashi M.

Takashi is an excellent guide and a very pleasant and personable young man. His command of the English language is very strong and his knowledge of Osaka, and Japan overall is impressive. I would rate Takashi as one of the best guides I have ever had.

Gailene J.

Takashi M.

Thank you so much for your review :) I’m glad to know that you had a good day. I had a great day with you. I hope to see you again ;)

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