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 9,173 guests all over the world across Japan as of Mar 31, 2025 since Feb 2015.
Reviews
Brandi D.
“Kyoto and Nara Tour”
Masahisa (or Mike for short) was an absolute joy to spend our day with yesterday. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable and kind, he was also very flexible! We had originally booked him to take us from our Kyoto hotel to Nara for the day, but we had a change of plans on our end and ended up staying in Kyoto until almost 2 pm. He pivoted and showed us around our area on foot, and then we took a taxi to an incredible museum with 1000 statues, then a food court and a Japanese department store. Finally we headed to Nara where he took us through the temple, got us crackers to feed the deer and took us to a cool visitors center to check out an earthquake simulator and to get out of the rain. We truly treasured our time with Masahisa—he shared so much with us about the Japanese culture and traditions. He was a wealth of knowledge and we are so grateful to have spent the day with him. I almost forgot to mention that he accompanied us from Nara (where he lives) to Osaka to make sure we made it to our hotel! He also put together a packet for us for our stay in Osaka. Above and beyond!! Thank you Masahisa aka Mike
Masahisa M.
Brandi Thank you so much for traveling all the way from afar the city I cherished deeply during my active years. Although the forecast predicts serene spring days starting mid-week, the weather in Kyoto during this transitional season from winter to spring can be quite unpredictable. This time, your tour happened to coincide with a cold and rainy day, and I was concerned about whether everyone managed to stay in good health. I sincerely thank for your long journey to visit us. I hope you continue to have a wonderful trip and that you return home safely with delightful memories of your family travels. Safe and enjoyable journeys to you all. Thanks Masahisa
Jane W.
“good guide for challenging job”
We asked Masahisa to plan two days in Nara and Kyoto while our cruise ship was in port in Kobe, for a 77 year old grandma (who was mildly mobility impaired) and an energetic 22 year old grandson. He was helpful, well organized, very informative and juggled our disparate needs and interests well. He took us to sites of interest to both of us, was very knowledgeable, answered all our questions, and found nice spots for grandma to sit and people watch or look at a slow pace while he and grandson visited more strenuous sites or saw extra attractions. Our two days were well worth it. Thank you Masahisa for a pleasant informative two days, and for the bonus earthquake demonstration in Nara.
Masahisa M.
Jane I hope you returned home safely. I was concerned that you might not have been able to fully enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto due to the constraints of the cruise ship's departure time. Although I have never visited Albuquerque, I have seen the grand spectacle of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on TV, which is held every October, where hundreds of colorful hot air balloons soar into the sky, attracting tourists from all over the world. Thank again for visiting us all the way. Thanks Masahisa
Sean K.
“Great Tour of Nara from Kyoto!”
We had a wonderful day with Mike on his Exploring Nara tour! He met us bright and early at our hotel and took us straight to Nara, where we learned so much about the area’s history and landmarks. His friendly personality and extensive knowledge made the day really special, and he took a lot of great photos that we’ll enjoy for years to come. He packs in a lot, so be ready for an active day with plenty of walking and public transport. The detailed information he shared before and after the tour was incredibly helpful and will come in handy for our next visit to Japan. Highly recommend Mike if you’re looking for a top-notch guide in the Kyoto area!
Masahisa M.
Sean Thank you very much for coming all the way from active city I loved. How was your trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima ? I am relieved to hear that everyone has returned safely. Wishing you all a wonderful New Year. Thanks Masahisa
$303/ per group
More tours by Masahisa M.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)
Kyoto is known as exotic sightseeing places and numerous historic, quaint old monuments are seen all over the town. This tour covers part of Rakutou (East district) and Central district. Visiting Rakutou, Gion, Yasaka-jinja shrine, Kodai-ji temple, Kiyomizu-dera temple are the most famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto. Particularly well known for the deity of love and marriage in Rakutou area.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
Kyoto is known as exotic sightseeing places and numerous historic, quaint old monuments are seen all over the town. This tour covers part of Rakusai (West district) and Central district. Visiting Rakusai , Tenryu-ji temple represents the Kitayama culture. Nijyo-jo castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace in Rakuchu (Central district) are the cultural center during Heian, Momoyama and Edo periods.
Exploring Nara, Nara Pref
Nara is ideal for those who wish to see not only numerous historical structures but also to touch, feed wild deers roaming freely around in the Nara Park. There are 8 UNESCO heritages in Nara spotted sparsely in the historic regions which have full of rich tales in Nara period (from 710 to 794). Visiting 4 UNESCO heritages (3 temples and 1 shrine) in this tour in addition to one Japanese garden.
Exploring Kobe, Hyogo
Kobe come to a vital life again from intense earthquake that hit on Jan 17, 1995. Kobe always creates us a resplendent, exotic mood that the cosmopolitan city has. The old foreign settlement where sophisticated modern architecture still remains upper town must be the reason to ferment that atmosphere and give the period of cosmopolitan flavor. At Meriken Wharf, you can hear the whistles of ships and touch cultural history in this city.
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Osaka
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
Nara: the must-see place in Japan. Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.
Your most memorable tour in Osaka
The city of Osaka flourished around the eponymous Osaka Castle during the Edo era, and is now the third largest city in Japan. It is said to be the center of commerce and is a vibrant city with an atmosphere distinct from that of Tokyo or Kyoto. Please visit Osaka and get to know a different side of the country.
Osaka Highlight tour
We visit symbolic Osaka Castle, the 1st state-established Buddhist temple (admission fee of 600 yen needed) and Umeda Sky Building, a popular skyscrapers with 360° panoramic view on top (admission fee of 1500 yen needed). My guide fee is 56000 yen / 8hours (up to 8 persons)
Nara and Osaka in One Day
In the morning, we will be visiting Nara, the ancient capital city of Japan before Kyoto. In the late afternoon, we will move to Osaka, the vibrant center of Western Japan. You can feel two different faces of Japan, old and new in one day. Experience ancient history during the day and enjoy vibrant commercial atomosphere of the urban life in the late afternoon / early evening.
