Osaka Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

“Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe (2-day) Tour in July”

We had an excellent two-day private tour with Shawn, and his organization made it possible for our group to see an incredible amount in a short time. Traveling from a cruise ship means time is limited, but every detail was planned so efficiently that we were able to visit all of the places we had hoped to see without ever feeling stressed about getting back to the ship. One thing we especially appreciated was that Shawn arranged a private van for our group of 6 with the same driver on both days. Having the same driver made everything seamless and comfortable. Transportation was always waiting for us, transitions between destinations were smooth, and we never had to worry about logistics. Although Shawn does not speak Japanese, he has lived in Japan for several years and handled the language barrier remarkably well. Our first day in Kyoto included Fushimi Inari Shrine, the charming streets of Higashiyama, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), and the historic Gion district. Despite visiting some of Kyoto’s busiest attractions, Shawn managed the timing exceptionally well so we could experience everything on our itinerary before returning to the ship that evening. On the second day, we explored Osaka Castle, rode the ropeway to the beautiful Nunobiki Herb Garden in Kobe for spectacular views, and finished in the lively Dotonbori district, where we enjoyed an outstanding Kobe beef lunch. Once again, everything ran on schedule, and we returned to the ship with plenty of time before departure. If your priority is making the most of your time in port, Shawn is an excellent choice. His strength is his planning, organization, and ability to keep the day running efficiently. Thanks to his careful coordination, we were able to enjoy an ambitious itinerary comfortably and without worrying about transportation, timing, or navigating unfamiliar areas.

“Universal Studios - Osaka with Niko”

Our son wanted to go to Universal Studios - we did not. So we hired Niko to take him to the park, and they had a great time, despite the heat! She is terrific, and communicated with us frequently, and was able to get our shy son to come out of his shell a bit. Highly recommend!

“Perfect day !! ”

Kotomi M. Was waiting for us right when we exited the ship . Took us to 7/11 , Lawsons and family Mart and we were off . 90 minute train ride went so fast getting to know our new friend. Trains / Buses and Taxis took us everywhere . Kotomi started the day as our tour guide and ended the day as a new friend my wife and I meet. We saw the bamoboo trees , temples , shrines , shopping the oldest Starbucks and we had an amazing lunch and revolving sushi bar . She explained Japanese culture too us. Helped us navigate the trains and buses. Always knew where a restroom was. Very knowledgeable and proud of her history. I recommend her to anyone thinking of booking a tour

Kotomi M.

(9 reviews)

Thank you so much, Mitchell, for choosing me as your guide! You and your wife were so respectful of Japanese culture, and seeing you both enjoy every single moment made the day incredibly special and fun for me too. It was a super hot day, but we managed to survive thanks to those Biore cooling sheets, didn’t we? (haha) I truly hope we can meet up and explore together again on your next trip! Kotomi