Osaka dates back to the 6th century, when the first official temple was built on the hilltop. In the Middle Ages, the emperor’s family and aristocrats believed that the Pure Land of Buddha was beyond the sunset and meditated in hermitages on the hill while watching the sun sink into the sea. Locals walked up(temples) and down (residences) regularly, enjoying life in this world and praying for a place in the Pure Land in the next life.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Osaka City
Osaka Castle Park (105ha/260 acres)
>Osaka Castle Tower/originally built in 1585 by a feudal lord, TOYOTOMI, who tried to make it the center of a unified Japan
>The Garden of the former Kisyu Palace/the beautiful Castle Tower can be seen from here
>Hokoku Jinja Shrine/dedicated to TOYOTOMI, the shrine was built by order of the emperor to honor a great feudal lord who contributed to the unification of the country
Yuhigaoka area (literally means sunset-hill with some 100 temples)
>Shitennoji Temple/the first official temple built in the 6th century by the order of Prince Syotoku, considered to be the “East Gate of Pure Land”
#Garden of Buddhist Pure Land/a garden that embodies an imaginary of Pure Land/Heaven with 2 streams and 2 ponds introducing natural spring water
>Isshinji Temple/the first place to practice Sunset Meditation* by the ex-emperor in the 12th century
*Gazing at the setting sun during meditation while concentrating one’s thoughts on an imagined Pure Land
Tennoji Park and Shinsekai area
>Tennoji Park (26ha/64 acres)/founded in 1909, comprising the zoo, the museum of fine art, Keitaku-en(Japanese garden), and the remains of the Osaka Summer/Winter War in the 17th century
>Shinsekai (9.2ha/23 acres/meaning New World)/was constructed by copying the design of Paris and New York in 1912, lots of local food places such as Takoyaki, Yakitori, Ramen, Sushi, etc.
>Tsutenkaku Tower (literally means Leads to Heaven)/the symbol tower with 108 m in Osaka,
Note: requires reservations for the observation deck
Ending Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Osaka City
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
>guide fee, hotel pick up in Osaka City
>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/subway and train (some 1500JPY)/
>admission fee (you/per adult)/Osaka Castle Tower(1200JPY), Shitennoji Temple (600JPY), Keitaku-en Garden(300JPY)
>short break/lunch/dinner
>Please wear comfortable shoes.
>There are stairs to climb and descend at the Tower.
>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spot, so please bring some JPY.
>This tour is not insured, so I hope you get travel insurance.
>I mainly work in the daytime (e.g. from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm)
>If you want a listed/customized tour, please message me in advance. I will confirm facility availability in the itinerary dates: opening dates/hours, need a reservation or not.
>Please note that my tours are leisurely, on foot and by public transport.
>My tour schedule may change if transport or tourist spots are crowded.
Thank you for visiting my page.
I’d love to guide you to an ancient capital city with over 1,000 years of urban development history and a 100-year film history. I grew up in OSAKA and studied in KYOTO. Then, I worked in TOKYO and Osaka as an urban planning expert for national and local governments for 20 years. I have been striving to create cities where residents can live safely and comfortably and where visitors are attracted by their charms.
Quitting my career, I became a freelancer and a National Licensed Consulting Engineer (Urban and Regional Planning). I inspect urban development sites and film locations at home and abroad, and post about the charm of these picturesque towns on social media (90 cities in 30 countries up to now).
Present-day Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara formed a metropolitan area centered on the Imperial Palace from the 7th to the 19th centuries, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center. Residents still cherish their connections with local temples and shrines, continue to host local events, maintain traditional lifestyles, and protect their cultural heritage.
These three cities offer a unique landscape each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy scenery in winter. They are also easily accessible within a 1-hour train ride, with an international airport (KANSAI) and seaports (OSAKA, KOBE).
I am not only a National Licensed Guide Interpreter but also a General Travel Service Manager. I create an ideal customized tour for you, combining your preferences with my knowledge of transportation options and sightseeing spots.
I look forward to hearing from you.
James K.
“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”
Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.
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Yosshi S.
Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi
Chuck Y.
“A very nice day in Osaka”
Yoshi was knowledgeable and happy to show the city to us at a leisurely pace. A very nice man who did a great job of speaking at a loud enough level so we could all hear him which was appreciated. He was very hospitable and we appreciated that.
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Yosshi S.
Dear Chuck Thank you for sending me such a warm review. Osaka is a commercial city, so Osaka citizens are interactive and talkative. We looked at citizens' lives while strolling to the bustling shopping streets and the OKONOMIYAKI place. At the Rose Garden, we could see the harmony with roses, the rivers, and the skyscrapers. Thank you for including me as one of your close friends during the tour and for the topics we shared. I hope Osaka will be one of your friends' fond memories. Regards Yosshi
John M.
“Kyoto visit to Imperial Palace gardens and tour of Palace State Guest House, with a special tour of the guest house. Also, Philosopher’s Walk, national Treasure Silver Palace, and Kyoto Aqueduct. ”
We had a very high quality time with Yosshi S for our visit in Kyoto. He was well prepared from both experience and study, and gave us rich background into each site to result in a strong connection with Kyoto’s history, its rich spiritual traditions and its very special people living and working in Kyoto. We are grateful for this day and would recommend Yosshi S. with our highest regard.
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Yosshi S.
Dear John, thank you for your review. We had the experience of seeing how to treat guests at the state guesthouse and having a lunch of Kyoto pickled sushi at a shopping street where ordinary people shop. The Philosopher's Path is a course where I often walked with friends during my student years. Walking with John on the tour, I got back the feeling of being a student. Unfortunately, I could not become a philosopher, but I learned the philosophy of "going my way" and became a guide. Thank you very much. Yosshi
$221/ per group
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