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Exploring Osaka
Joined 2017
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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai = City of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe)
To meet you at your hotel lobby, with Gowithguide welcome sign board your name on. Followed after brief tour orientation, we start the tour of the day
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.
Osaka castle … Landmark of Osaka, with the castle keep set up as history museum.
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
Umeda Sky Building … The 40th storey 173 m skyscraper and you can enjoy open-air walk & paramount 360 degree view of Osaka at the top of the building.
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 ... It means “New World”, entertainment spot then named “NEW”. You can visit the
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.
Kuromon-market & Doton-bori area ... Opened in 1822. You can take a quick bite for today’s catch or fresh fruits over small fishery, food shops
To end this day tour at your hotel. Will arrive later if you stay in Kyoto or Nara.
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai = City of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe)
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
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.
Tour Important Information
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
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 2017
About Tour Guide Masahisa M.
Lived in Chicago (5 years), Toronto (1 year), Singapore (2 years), Indonesia (4 years) and Birmingham, UK (11 years) to construct business platform, now retired after 40
years employment in Japan. Dynamic tour guide who develops many different ways along with rich experience overseas to entertain large or small tour groups. Enjoys the interaction with tour groups, very strong group presentation and communication skills, finds each guest question as an opportunity to learn anything new. Constantly learning information about each tour spot to enhance tours. Guided 8,665 guests all over the world across Japan as of Sept 30, 2024 since Feb 2015.
Reviews
Saulius P.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)
“I had a wonderful visit and learned a great deal about areas of interest”
Mr. Masahisa M. proved to be a highly intelligent and knowledgeable professional. Especially noteable is his command of both the Japanese and English languages alongside his willingness to share his wisdom. He is also very accomodating and happy to alter plans in order to enhance the tourist's experience. I highly recommend him to anyone visiting the area. Saulius Ploplys
Masahisa M.
(45 reviews)Saulius Hi, regarding your request, I plan to start by sending the provided. materials to local sword appraisal experts to see if I can obtain any clues. I anticipate that this process will take sometime, but I will keep you updated on the progress. Thanks Masahisa
Annemarie W.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
“A wonderful day in Kyoto guided by Masahisa (Mike) Makino”
Mike met us at our hotel and whisked us off for a fantastic tour, focusing on all of the places we most wanted to see in Kyoto. He shared rich and invaluable historical, cultural and social insights that greatly added to our enjoyment of this trip. His thoughtfulness, generosity and sense of humour greatly enhanced the day for us. We couldn't have asked for more and highly recommend him!
Masahisa M.
(45 reviews)Annemarie I, too, had a wonderful day. I was drawn to Tara Hill by Vivian Leigh's lines, and I remembered being astonished by the "Beware of Fairies" traffic sign when driving through the forests of Ireland, also the mishaps I made at the Guinness Storehouse, and the movie "The Quiet Man." Please not to forget the rain check I promised you the next time you visit Japan. Thank you again for traveling to us from such a long way. Thanks Masahisa
Stephen B.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
“Top Notch! The "Must Have" guide!”
As a travel agent, I have a reputation for recommending only the best experiences to my clients. When planning their time in Kyoto, I knew I needed a guide who could provide not only expert knowledge but also personalized service. I found all of this and more in Masahisa. From our initial contact, Masahisa was a wealth of information. He went above and beyond to ensure my clients had an unforgettable experience. He advised them on lesser-known attractions, such as historical sites that require a lottery system for entry, and suggested hidden gems that other guides might overlook. Masahisa's meticulous planning was evident in his itineraries. He planned each day down to the minute, ensuring that my clients made the most of their time in Kyoto. He also assisted them with logistical details, such as collecting their rail passes and booking their Nozomi train seats. One of the most impressive aspects of Masahisa's service was his dedication to my clients' overall experience. He even escorted them to the meeting point for an evening activity with another company, ensuring a seamless transition. While I was only able to secure Masahisa's services for three days, I have no doubt that he would be an excellent guide for any length of stay in Kyoto or throughout Japan. His expertise, personalized service, and attention to detail make him a truly exceptional guide.
Masahisa M.
(45 reviews)Stephen Thank you. I am pleased to have been able to assist your company in some way. While living in Toronto, I frequently visited places like Casa Roma and watched Blue Jays games. When accompanying your guests here, memories of my visits to your country's beautiful cities, such as Montreal and Halifax, came to mind. I also enjoyed spending time with your guests this time. Their travels continue to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Dubai on and on, and while supporting their journey must be challenging for you, I pray for their safe and enjoyable return home. Japan still has many wonderful tourist destinations. If there is anything else I can assist with, please feel free to let me know. Thanks Masahisa
$259/ per group
Reserve
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