Osaka is must-see place,3 hours Shinkansen from Tokyo. Or 1.5 hours bus or train from Kansai Airport. It's well-known for gourmet town, entertainments and reasonable-priced shopping. First of all, I'd like to propose Osaka Castle, and Universal Studio Japan, Kaiyukan Aquarium and Dotonbori gourmet town. Once knowing local foods, you will never forget palatable taste. Let's enjoy Osaka together!
Check out what we are going to do.
Feel free to personalize this offer.
At your hotel. Osaka, Kyoto or Nara city.
Osaka-jo Castle, breathtaking luxurious feudal fort.
Kuromon-ichiba, fresh food ingredients arcade.
Shinsaibashi fancy shopping street.
Dotombori gourmet street
Takoyaki or Okonomiyaki lunch time
Umeda Sky Building, open-air 170 meters tall observation deck.
Universal Studio Japan and Kaiyukan Aquarium
At your hotel. Osaka, Kyoto or Nara city.
1. Food
When it comes delicious foods, we cannot skip dining in Osaka .
Though all kinds of Japanese dishes from seafood to meat are there, Osaka-originated foods, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki should be placed on the center of gourmet world. In Kuromon-ichiba market and Dotombori street, couldn't have been better meal are there. In addition being tasty, its price is reasonable.
2. History
From 17th to 19th century, Osaka experienced turbulent period, in Civil War led by two Samurai leadres, Toyotimi family and Tokugawa family. Before long stable era featured by Tokugawa Shogunate, lasting 220 years until mid-19th century in Tokyo, relentless battle took place at Osaka-jo castle between two families. When visiting Osaka jo castle, people learn about what a Samurai era like was.
3. Shopping
There are a lot of nice and affordable-priced shopping town in Osaka. I'd like to recommend Shinsaibashi shopping street for classy
atmosphere and Tenjinbashi shopping street for casual feeling.
4. Cutting edged construction
Umeda Sky Building started in 1993, designed by famous Japanese architecture, Hiroshi Hara. Visitors will be surprised by unique and futuristic style. Using a modern escalator and elevator, visitor reach open-air top floor 170 meters high. Facing 360 degree panoramic view, you will take a breath to see whole Osaka town and beautiful sunset in the evening. Inside the building, there are pretty shopping corner and cafes.
1. Tour guide fee
JPY 50000
Traveler's own expenses.
1.Transportation
2.Temples and shrines admission fee
3.Lunch
1. Food allergy
Okonmiyaki and Takoyaki has an ingredients of gluten, wheat flour, and sea foods such as octopus and squids.
2. Halal food
There are halal certified restaurants.
3. Muslim prayer room
There are some places.
Mr. SHIN was amazing, polite, insightful and very hard working by going above and beyond to give me the best experience of Japan. Even before I landed in Japan, Mr. SHIN on his own send me different routes options to come from airport to my hotel. He even visited my hotel a day before my arrival to understand what’s near my hotel and send me details and pictures of my hotel. Even before my tour with Mr. SHIN started, I was overwhelmed with his superior proactive customer service. He really wanted me to have a very good time in Japan. A day before my tour started, I came to know there is Sumo wrestling tournament in Tokyo where all the tickets were sold out. I asked Mr. SHIN if there is any way I can get to see Sumo as it was bucket list item for me. Mr. SHIN did his research and picked me from my hotel early 6:00 am to the line up outside the Sumo stadium in snow-rain conditions as they had 300 open ticket for that day’s tournament for folks who lineup early morning outside the stadium. Ticket counters opened at 7:45am and we were 247th in line and did get the tickets to experience amazing Sumo tournament later that day at 3:00pm. Mr. SHIN knowledge of Tokyo is amazing, and he took effort to understand my interests and mapped the tour as per my interests. On day 2 based on my interest in shrines and culture we made a last-minute plan change and took off to Kamaukura in train and my boy it was amazing experience. Mr. Shin covered Tokyo and Kamakura in 2 days for me. Every morning we started very early and stayed outside late. I was inspired by Mr. SHIN’s energy and enthusiasm. He really wants his guest to have a good time in Japan and get the best experience of his country. He is truly a great ambassador for his country.
Hello Mr. Vaidyanathan Seshan. Thank you very much for your nice review. I think your busy Japan tour has been successfully completed. I’m so happy. As you say, especially first visitors need various information like transportation, shopping, dining as well english communication situation. I feel good when my guest can have a smooth tour. Remembering some activities of our days, especially the Sumo match,I never forget your great passion! I really appreciate your patience in snowy cold morning to get limited number of tickets. Lucky us we made it! But it’s worth waiting in a long line to get it because Sumo shows us a lot of interesting things. Small wrestlers sometimes kick out bigger guy. We can feel great power and guts through that. Thank you again I wish happiness of you and your family ! SHIN.
As a guide, Shin went above and beyond for our group. We had some specific requirements, and he had no problem mapping out the perfect route. Shin is your family member in Japan. He invited us to his home for tea and sweets. Generous with his time and heart. Besides being a guide, Shin kept in touch with me way in advance to help me plan this trip to Japan. He went above and beyond to help us deal with transporting our luggage through Yamato. Words cannot describe his generosity and kindness. You are not only hiring a guide with shin, you are gaining a personal pal to help you on your whole journey to this amazing country! Arigatou gozaimasu!
Hello Lisa san, Our tour time was short and is already gone, but now is the time to remember a lot of memories in Kyoto. Thank you very much for your sincere and nice comment. I am so happy to know your Japan tour has been successfully ended and already flied back to the home. In 1000 years old capital Kyoto, we experienced historical temples and shrine visits, tasting green and plum team, happy hour at local vegetarian restaurant. I wish you and your friends happiness and prosperity in near year 2020. Arigato gozai-mashita, mata aimasho !
Shin was amazing! I hope to see him again next time we are in Japan. He truly cares about you enjoying Japan. He did a lot of things on our tour that were way beyond what was expected just to make sure we enjoyed our time there. When we look back on our time in Japan, the kindness of Shin will be one of the things we remember the most!
Dr.Baron, Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. Despite a half day tour from Osaka sea port, we enjoyed Osaka castle, the samurai history in the 17th century, and at Sumiyoshi shrine we could feel the sacred Japanese shinto atmosphere. I am looking forward to seeing you again hopefully in the season of cherry spring. I always wish you happiness and prosperity from Japan.
Shin provided a customized day in Kyoto for us. As our plans changed, Shin was able to adapt the itinerary to include a tour of a sake brewery and squeezed in a quick silk kimono fashion show! The Fushimi-inari shrine was as dramatic as expected, the other shrines we visited were lovely, we enjoyed some great street snacks and a fascinating traditional lunch. All in all, our time with Shin was a highlight of our nineteen days in Japan.
Hello Shelly san, I really appreciate wonderful review. Getting to know your long day Japan tour successfully ended, I feel so happy. And I am glad we could visit many unique places in Kyoto not written on a guide-book, super off-the-beaten-paths. Though Kyoto is small town, so many charms are orderly packed inside like a jewelry box. Springs of the cherry blossoms, summers of the festival, falls of color foliage and winters with crispy fresh air offer beautiful seasonal faces all the time. I am listening nice songs produced by your son, nice musician, and also my grand kid enjoys 3-D picture book every day. I am looking forward to seeing next chances from my heart. Thank you very much ! SHIN.