This full-day private tour includes must-see tourist spots in Osaka. We will visit Osaka Castle, Osaka Museum of Housing nd Living, Kuromon Market plus Dotombori both downtown Osaka. In this tour we will see the present and past of Osaka and its energetic people.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At your hotel in Osaka or your cruise port (Osaka/Kobe)
Meet
Osaka Castle was build in the 16th century by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, one of the most powerful feudal lords in Japan. Let's go up to the top of the castle tower. You will feel as if you were a shogun by enjoying its magnificent view. Also you will see what Osaka Castle was like at that time by looking at a variety of displays in the castle tower.
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is located in cental Osaka, about 20 minutes away from Osaka Castle. This is the best place, not so spacious though, to figure out what the life of the Osaka common people was like during the early-19th to the mid-20th centuries.
Let's stroll through Kuromon Market. I suggest you try Osaka's specialties like Tako-yaki or grilled octopus dumplings, Okonomi-yaki or Japanese style pancake, fresh sea food, and you name it.
Dotombori is also at downtown Osaka, 15 minute walk from Kuromon Market.
Send-off
At your hotel in Osaka or your covenient place or your cruise port (Osaka/Kobe)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee, hotel pick-up in Osaka or Kyoto
transportation fee in Osaka (about 2,000 JPY per person, guests and guide), entrance fee (1,200 JPY per person, you only), lunch (you only)
-The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is closed on every Tuesday and December 29 through January 2.
-When you would like to join this tour on Tuesday or the day when The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is closed, we can arrange
your itinerary as you wish, like Umeda Sky Building.
-We'll walk most probably more than 10 k steps. So sneakers are recommended.
-(Umeda Sky Building has tube-typed see-through sky escalators. When you are afraid of heights, elevators are available.)
I can also guide you in Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima), 1-day tour. My transportation fees to/from Hiroshima cost about 20,000 JPY, return.
Hi! I'm Shogo, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English. "Shogo"? Looks a little bit hard to pronounce. So if you are interested in Samurai or Busho, call me "Shogun". (rather humble and hen-pecked at home, though.:)
Just a little bit information about myself. I was born and grew up in Himeji, about 50km west of Kobe. When a child I quite often visited world-famous Himeji Castle. So it's like "MY castle." As a student, I lived in Kyoto for four years. I'm a father of three, and have lived in Kobe with my family for over 30 years.
So I'm quite familiar with various tourist spots/attractions in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, Kobe and the like, all in western Japan. Also I've lived in Lawrence, Kansas, for two years in my 20s as a Jayhawk. Great old memory!:)
Here are some of my specialties.
First, I can show you around popular historical sites and relics in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Himeji. You'll surely feel the depth of Japanese culture by visiting these places. Second, I can offer you special tours of fancy sake breweries in Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. Third, I also guide you around Hiroshima, including magnificent Itsukushima Shrine.
My goal/dream as guide interpreter is to help you explore and understand Japan and its culture with warm hospitality or Omotenashi. So please reach out to me any time, 24/7. For your super memorable trip, "Always with YOU" Shogo!:)
“A perfect day in Kyoto”
Shogo went out of his way to meet us at the port and provided an in depth action packed day that exceeded all our expectations. He was a very kind and generous guide and we were happy in his company. We were able to see almost everything on our list including the Gion festival parade. Shogo was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his country and customs and went out of his way to share them with us.
Shogo K.
(32 reviews)Dear Michael, First of all thank you so much for booking me at the far back of the guide list. I'd like to express my great respect for your bravery?:) In addition thank you so much for your wonderful review. Indeed the highlight of the tour was the Gion Festival parade. Great to know that you enjoyed Kyoto to the fullest, though it was a scorching/humid day. Again thank you very very much, Warmest regards, Shogo
Kristina H.
Kyoto Full Day Private Tour from Osaka Port, Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Customized
“A great day out in Kyoto!”
We had a wonderful day with Shogo in Kyoto! The fact Shogo met us from the ship really took the stress out of the adventure and the tour around Kyoto was informative and fun. Shogo was a patient and kind guide with my family a d even showed us pictures of his family so we felt very welcome. Thank you Shogo !!
Shogo K.
(32 reviews)Dear Kristina, I feel grateful for your wonderful review of my Kyoto tour. Indeed I had a great day with you and your lovely family. I still remember your wonderful daughter and gentle son. One thing I regret is that Kyoto Imperial Palace, your priority, was unfortunately closed on the day. Good news is that now I'm a fan of Colorado Rockies. "Go Dinger!!" Best regards, Shogo
“Perfect introduction to Kyoto ”
Ahogo met us at our hotel promptly. Since our tour was utilizing public transportation he had travel cards ready for us to use, the cost to be settled at the end of the tour. He had the stops well planned by area in order to avoid too much crisis crossing around the city. Ahogo gave us very in-depth explanations of the correlation between Shinto and Buddhism, and showed deep knowledge of historical events. He is a soft spoken man with great passion for sharing information about his country. His command of English is perfect and was always eager to share his knowledge with us. We definitely recommend you book with Shogo.
Shogo K.
(32 reviews)Dear Gigi, Thank you for the wonderful review. I'm so grateful to know that you enjoyed exploring inner reaches of Kyoto's historical sites. Because of your thoughtful cooperation and early blooming cherry blossoms coming out, I felt as if I were strolling in a beautiful paradise with good and old friends of mine.:) Many thanks to you, Gigi, your generous husband, and lovely friends.:) From "Henpecked"