8,000 years ago, Osaka slept under a large seashore lake. This city of lake later turned to a city of smoke and eventually grew into the 2nd key international city after Tokyo. Birth place of industry in Japan, such as bank, insurance, steel, machinery, spinning, medicine, ship building, electrical appliance, etc. Touching days of Osaka ,Then and Now.
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai = City of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe)
We take you to Osaka METRO station or JR, private railway station whichever the station closer to your hotel. We will arrive at Osaka castle park in 30 min by Osaka METRO or JR railway.
We walk through Otemon gate and Sakuramon gate or Aoyamon Gate and Gokuraku-bashi bridge to lead us Main Tower of Osaka castle. At Main Tower, we go up at first 8F observation deck by elevator so you enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Osaka city from 50m above the ground, thereafter to down to 7F to 1F by stairs. 7th floor the life of Hideyoshi Toyotomi who built Osaka castle and succeeded in unifying the entire nation in 16th century, 5 floor Scenes from "The Summer War in Osaka" folding screen to visualize with images and miniature figures, 4th floor Hideyoshi Toyotomi and his area with various displays asssociated with Hideyoshi Toyotomi and other artifacts, records of the Sengoku are (the age of provincial wars), 3rd floor exhibits of historical artifact selections, full-scale replica of the Golden Tea Room, Osaka Castle History at a Glance, exhibition catalogue shop, 2nd floor displays panels about Osaka castle, replica of the SHACHI (a gargoyle, legendary dolphin-shaped fish) and FUSETORA (crouching tiger), 1st floor information counter and museum shop
To visit a spectacular high rise building, a landmark known as a spot of floating-garden, sky walk observatory deck on the 39th floor that offers a spectacular paranomatic view in the expansive Yodo River, a beautiful sunset, or the nightscape of Osaka. Open to the air atop of the building, the circular corridor, mid-air escalator offer you an unforgetable experience. Umeda Sky Building consists of two main towers which are connected each other like a Giant Gantry. In 2008, the British paper The Times called it Japan's only architectural structure that is one of the Top 20 Building around the world. A replica of a Japanese street of the early Showa Period (1930s) named Takino-Koji (side street) is also worth visiting on the first basement floor of Umeda Sky Building.
Shin-sekai's northern half was designed copied after Paris, a district that was developped before the world war II. Tsutenkaku tower, built in 1912 after Paris' Eiffle Tower, then the hightest landmark in Osaka, is a nostalgia envoking symbol of Shin-sekai. The current tower is 103m high, with the main observatory at a height of 91 meters.
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai = City of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe)
Included:
*Travel expense as required for the guide to travel with customers by means of public transportation such as train, subway, bus.
Travel expenses for the guide included herein are limited within Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe)
*Admission fees, tickets for the guide as might be incurred at Umeda Sky Building, castles, temples, shrines or the like.
*Meals, drinks or the like for the guide during the tour
*Any tax or the like as might be incurred by the guide in Japan
*Gratuity
Not included:
*Fees to cruise river or sea or the like for the guide
*Tickets for Universal Studio Japan, museum or the like for the guide as might be required at private or public
entertainment facilities.
Numerous bridges, avenues, streets in Osaka were named after those people who contributed communities through their businesses, such as Yodoya-bashi bridge, Doton-bori steet etc. Sometimes you might be lost in a huge maze in underground shops, restaurants which were constructed deep under the ground in central Osaka. You can enjoy the dynamism of city of water, Osaka in this tour, then and now on.
Suggest purchasing a day pass "Enjoy-Echo-Card" on sale at every subway, bus station for this tour
- IMPORTANT -
Not suitable for tours with infants, children, wheelchairs and strollers.
Be quiet and respectful in Temples and Shrines complex
Remove hats and sunglasses in front of main sanctuary in Temples, Shrines
Not to touch old buildings, old remains and objects
Not to take pictures where prohibited in Temples and Shrnes complex
Take your shoes off before stepping on tatami
Any day or time is available, inclusively long tours extended to more than 10 days across Japan, but please reconfirm guide's availability at time of booking
“Great guide in Kyoto”
Mike was our guide for 2 days in Kyoto. He met our cruise ship in Kobe on the morning of the first day and dropped us back off at the end of the 2nd day so we never felt like we wouldn’t be able to find our way. He worked with us to design the 2 days. We initially thought we’d spend the 2nd day in Nara but decided to stay in Kyoto. He was very knowledgeable and worked very hard to ensure we saw everything we wanted to. In addition to seeing many sights he explained a lot of Japanese culture and religion to us in a way that made the experience very enjoyable. We highly recommend him.
Masahisa M.
(37 reviews)Marybeth Tight schedule as you had limited time in Kyoto. I'm sure Mark must be so tired from walking a long distance. Although Kyoto City is currently in a state of chaos by overtourism, I am glad that I was able to show you at least one that you could feel good old days of Kyoto. Thank again for visiting us from afar beautiful city and quick-stopover here. Thanks Masahisa
Chan-seng L.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
“Tour of Kyoto West”
Thank you again for your gracious hospitality in Kyoto. We really enjoyed the tour of Nijo-jo Castle and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Wished we had the energy to walk up the hill and enjoy the monkey park - there's always a next time. You have done a great job promoting tourism in your country and welcoming people from all over the world - please continue doing what has been successful for you. The world needs more people like you! We will always recommend you to our family and friends visiting Japan. All the very best!
Masahisa M.
(37 reviews)Chan-seng L Glad to meet all of your happy families again here and could show you around the Kansai region I was not able to do on your last visit. Look forward to seeing you again. Thanks Masahisa
Yostina T.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)
“East Kyoto ”
We had the most wonderful experience with Mike! He was so informative and gave us lots of knowledge on each location visited. He was patient with us as we made many stops for food and pictures. He made our tour very personal and gave us a very local feel of Kyoto. We enjoyed spending the day with Mike and recommend him to everyone! Trust me if you’re in Kyoto, you must take a tour with him. He will really make your experience much better.
Masahisa M.
(37 reviews)Yostina Thanks reminding me of my days, lived in your beautiful city, Casa Roma, CN Tower, Toronto Island etc etc. Thanks again visiting us from afar and wish you all safe return home with happy memory. Thanks Masahisa