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Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (With Dinner Option)
Joined 2020
Explore the non-touristic areas of Osaka on this internationally recognized award winning tour (Voted # 1 in the whole of Japan on all the big review websites), where the veil of "perfect Japan" will be lifted.
Get an unfiltered understanding of how the city really functions in the abandoned buildings area, retro zone, alleys, redlight district, gambling dens, yakuza strongholds and more.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Daikokucho Station, Exit 1, at the top of the stairs in front of the Family Mart
Daikokucho Station, Exit 1 (at the top of the stairs in front of Family Mart).
Meet at Exit 1, at the top of the stairs outside the Family Mart.
A peek at the Retro Zone
Shinsekai will give up all its secrets here on an interesting view of early 1900's life.
Abandoned Houses Area
Detailed explanation of how it all came to be. In which other city around the world can you find such a place so central?
Visit Delicious Stall & Eat Local Side Dishes
The glorious food of Osaka...unchallenged as the king of food in Japan!
Explore the Gritty Backstreets
Unearth the deep Osaka by traversing the back alleys. The only way to fully understand Osaka and its people
Step into the World Governed by the Yakuza
A Yakuza stronghold is the red light district. The incredibly unique area is a step back in time and the only area of Osaka completely preserved from the Taisho area. Yes this is history....real authentic history and we will explain the underbelly of Osaka. (Note: if you dont want to visit this area we have a fantastic alternative).
Second Eatery Visit
Takoyaki is what you eat when you come to Osaka. Visit our hidden, tasty joint and get those tastebuds firing!
Visit the Entertain District where only the Locals Go
Fishing for you dinner in restaurants, Pachinko machines, quirky rifle shooting stores, illegal gambling palors. All the norm for the hidden neighbourhood gathering spots. Feel like a local here
Join us for Dinner at the most Authentic of Izakayas.
If interested in the dinner, please choose the "extras" secton. We'll give you a drink & 5 amazing dishes to fill your belly.
Ending Point
at the front of Dobutsenmae Station.
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Complete guide of said areas.
Dinner and all food is not included. If you want the dinner option, please write in the comment before or after booking your tour here.
It is just 3500yen for a course menu....to be paid at the start of the tour in cash to the tour guide. It includes 5 delicious & authentic Osakan dishes, 1 drink & desserts.
No Hotel pickup (its a very very central, easy to find starting location).
Tour Important Information
This tour is not necessarily recommended for all; if you are intrepid, well traveled, and seeking glimpse into an unfiltered, honest side of Osaka, it is a good choice for you. Note that this tour exposes the good, the bad, and everything in between. It includes taboo topics as well, which are very important in forming a complete picture of Japan and its people, such as Yakuza, sexism, war, illegal gambling, sex work, illicit businesses, pachinko, homelessness, welfare, and more. Note also that this tour will not go through the homeless district. Your guides are always respectful should people who are homeless also be traveling the same route as the tour.
As we will walk for about 5km on flat terrain, please bring flat, comfortable shoes.
Important message from the supplier
We can guide you everyday.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2020
About Tour Guide Andy kenji M.
Hi!! I'm YOUNG!! Yup, a guide that is not old hahaha. Well not that young.
41 years old: still have energy & vigour and havent lost my marbles hahah.
I'm half Japanese & half Australian and I've been a trilingual tour guide for 6yr
(I'm new to this site but, I have 2 tours that have won many international awards on the biggest review website in the world)
I love to show my unique perspective of Japan and share incredible & unforgettable experiences with friends, family and tourists.
My rule is if you don't enjoy my tour, you don't pay!!
I have a deep understanding of the inner workings (both history & food) of these areas after living more than 12 years here.
I have amassed a huge amount of knowledge of the back alleys and hidden gems of the Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe ) ...so much so locals are even shocked & amazed.
By giving you a truly, unique, amazing insider experience... I hope that my tour will be the absolute highlight of your Japan stay:)
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Reviews
“Interesting tour in the center of Osaka”
Actually we didn't do the tour with Andy as he was seek and he proposed us to go with another guide, Taka. As it was very late in the evening (around 10 pm) before the tour day when Andy wrote me he got a cold which is fully understandable. He recommended us Taka and arranged the meeting. Coming to the tour Taka did a good job showing us the landmarks in the centre of Osaka and also other places according to our interests. We really appreciated his understanding of our interests and the way he made a flexible tour. I rate this tour (only) good because I expected more from the tour and from GoWithGuide in terms of value of the tour (price/ quality). Even now, I'm not sure what I'm actually reviewing : the tour with Taka or the tour with Andy.
“This tour made us realize we HAVE to come back to Osaka. ”
There are not enough words or time to express the awesome time we had enjoying all the delights Osaka has to offer. Thanks for coming through Andy. You made it happen better than expected.
“Osaka magic, an unforgettable experience!”
A stellar experience in deep Osaka! Thanks for making it happen. A definite highlight of our adventures through Japan.
$389/ per group
More tours by Andy kenji M.
Hotspots & Hidden Gems of Osaka Tour (5hrs)
Andy (half Japanese half Aust. ) your local guide, will kickstart your Osaka adventure discovering both the highlights & secret spots. We'll pair every location with personal stories & historical info with quirky facts and a great dose of enthusiasm & humor:) (This Tour was featured on Channel 5 British TV in 2023 with Jane McDonald on the Series "Jane McDonald In Japan") This is a private tour so we can totally make this 100% personalized !
Deep Osaka Food & Drink Tours (13 dishes included)
Explore Osaka like a local, through the eyes of your Japanese-Australian tour guide, Andy-Kenji. (This tour will be featured on the uber famous food Netflix show "Someone Feed Phil" on Season 7) As a foreigner, you maybe hesitant to enter the tiny bars & restaurants tucked away in alleys. I'll make this an unforgettable experience by featuring 5 stops, 13 delicious, local dishes(included in the cost). I'll include the most flavorful and iconic of Japanese food and some rare more local dishes.
Other Popular Off the Beaten Path Tours in Osaka
The Visit to the Memorial Spots in Summer War of Osaka
I would like to introduce to you the temple town in the south of Osaka. The town is mixed with old-fashioned and modern Osaka. I take you to the the memorial spots in the summer war of Osaka between Toyotomi and Tokugawa during Warry States Period.
Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine, the Largest Burial Mounds in Japan
The Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine was founded in 211 and is dedicated to the sea gods which are the Sumiyoshi Sanjin (Sumiyoshi three gods) and the Empress Jingu. It's the headquarters of the approximately 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines nationwide. About 2.35 million people visited the shrine during the first three days of the New Year in 2013. Then we'll move to Sakai-higashi Station by train. You can see a panoramic view of Osaka city including Abeno Harukas.