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Local Cousin Hopping in Osaka Gourmet City
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Joined 2024
Osaka has flourished as a merchant city since the 17th century, thanks to an extensive network of waterways connecting it to other parts of Japan via the Seto Inland Sea. Feudal lords built the warehouses for rice transported by ship. Merchants opened markets on rivers and canals, and bought and sold local specialty products. Since then, Osaka has been considered “the Nation’s Kitchen”. The interaction between shopkeepers and customers fostered Osaka's rich food culture and friendly spirit.
Itinerary
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.
Ohatsu-tenjin shopping arcade("Ohatu" refered to the name of heroine)
#Tuyu-no-tenjinjya shrine (well-known Ohatu-tenjin)/origin dates back to the 9th century. In the 18th century, a famous writer wrote a play based on a true tragedy that happened in the shrine compounds. The shrine is considered a sacred place for a lover on Instagram.
#Shopping street (some 100 stores along 300 meters long)/connects from JR Central Station to the shrine, and is bustling day and night.
Tenjinbashisuji shopping street
#Osaka Tenman-gu Shrine/founded and dedicated to Sugawara-no-Michizane in the 10th century, who was the historical courtier and scholar with rich talent.
#Shopping street/Tenjinbashisuji is the approach to the shrine and the longest shopping street in Japan, with 2.6 km covering 800 stores.
Continue shopping street hopping as long as your time and stomach allow.
#Dotonbori Shopping Street/140 stores (400m), with flashy neon and moving signs, offers local foods to the visitors.
#Kuromon Ichiba shopping street/the temple town with Kuro-mon(Black Gate), and has been the fresh seafood market with 150 stores on a 580-meter-long street
#Shinsekai District /from the mid-20th century, the area developed into a district featuring a playhouse, movie theater, amusement facilities, and restaurants serving local cuisine.
Ending Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Osaka City
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
>Guide fee, hotel pick-up in Osaka city
>Transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/subway (some 1500JPY), taxi(undecided)
>Admission fee (you/per adult)/undecided
>short break/lunch
Tour Important Information
>The tour uses trains, subways, buses, taxis ( for small groups), and walking as needed for easy access. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for transfers and going up towers.
>The above additional fees are often paid in CASH, so please have some Japanese yen(JPY).
>This tour does not include insurance. I hope you purchase your own travel insurance.
Important message from the supplier
>If you would like to take a listed or customized tour, please send me a message in advance. I will check the availability of the spots listed on the itinerary (opening days, hours, reservation status, etc.).
>The tour uses trains, subways, trams, buses, walking, and taxis (for small groups) for easy access. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for transfers.
>Please note that we may change or add spots depending on the availability of public transportation and tourist attractions.
>The tour does not include insurance. I hope you purchase your own travel insurance.
>It is possible to pick you up at your hotel (Osaka, Nara, or Kyoto) and take you to the spots in the other city with no additional guide fee.
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 2024
About Tour Guide Yosshi S.
Thank you for visiting my page.
I will guide you through the three ancient capitals of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, where the Imperial Palace was located for 1300 years, starting in the 7th century.
I grew up in Osaka, studied urban and transportation planning in Kyoto, and then spent 20 years working as an urban planning expert for national and local governments in Tokyo and Osaka. My job responsibilities were to create safe and comfortable cities that increase employment opportunities for citizens. During this time, I visited and researched unique cities in Japan and abroad (90 cities in 30 countries), and have applied this experience to creating specific urban policies and construction projects.
The site of the Imperial Palace in these three ancient capitals was moved 15 times, and each time, the emperor and the accompanying nobles, monks, and citizens built a new capital city on the new land. Academic research and reconstruction work on former buildings are still underway in various ruins. Sharing this history of urban development with you and your guide on-site will make the cityscapes unfolding before you feel more intimate.
The three cities are all within an hour's train ride of each other, and the transportation network is well-developed. I will create a customized tour tailored to your time and energy levels, lasting memories, and photos. I look forward to hearing from you.
Reviews
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Michelle M.
“Great Highlights of Central Kyoto”
We had an excellent tour with Yosshi. I recommend him. He had great communication to create a custom tour for us. He emailed about and researched our sights ahead of time. He arrived early at our hotel lobby. He spoke good English and was very kind. He was very informative about the many sights we visited and came prepared with printouts. He took photos of our family. He took us to the Nijo castle, Imperial Palace and Manga museum. He helped us with ordering lunch. He was very knowledgeable getting around the metro. It made our day a breeze. We really enjoyed our day and Yosshi made it very special. Thank you.
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Yosshi S.
Dear Michelle-san Thank you for taking the time to send me such a heartwarming review. The Kemari Garden at the Imperial Palace is a game where players pass a ball to their opponent in an easy-to-kick manner. Today, we visited a place of great importance in Japanese history, set on a vast site full of early-summer greenery. The spirit of Kemari (a football game) lives on at this turning point as well. As a guide, I tried my best to provide clear explanations. The day I spent with you has become a memorable tour for me. OH-KI-NI! (Kyoto dialect for thank you). Yosshi
James S.
“Great Guide!”
Yosshi was a great guide. He had vast knowledge of the sights we visited. Very friendly and payed attention to our needs as we explored. I would book with him again. Thank you Yosshi.
Yosshi S.
Dear James San. Thank you for your review. I was happy to share my experience with you as you have an interest in Osaka's history. Hearing about your hometown has added to my bucket list. The day was sunny, the autumn leaves were beautiful, and there weren't many tourists, so I was able to show you ancient, medieval, and early modern sites. We were also able to go up the Osaka Castle Tower and the Tsutenkaku Tower for a bird's-eye view of Osaka's topography. Osaka's long history has been supported by its citizens. Next time, I'd like to guide you to markets and theaters where we can experience the vitality of its citizens. Thank you for yesterday. Yosshi
Drew B.
“Cultural tour of Kawachi/Osaka ”
Yosshi san created a unique tour to introduce us to the history of Kofun burial mounds and Haniwa clay pottery. We had an amazing day despite the weather visiting Shin-ike Haniwa Factory Park and the Imashirozuka Museum. Yosshi san has amazing knowledge & excellent English and was a pleasure to spend the day with. Also Yosshi san is a master of navigating Osaka transport, very impressed!! Thank you again Yosshi san for looking after us so well, Drew & Annie.
Yosshi S.
Dear Drew & Annie san Thank you so much for sending me your generous review. You read the explanations, took photos, and asked questions to the museum guide during the tour. I was impressed by your deep interest and knowledge, and it was a great honor to guide you. However, it's unfortunate that today's tour didn't go as planned due to the heavy rain all day. Here is the only imperial mausoleum in Japan that we can enter, so if we have another opportunity, I'd like to stroll around the 350-meter burial mound on a sunny day and discuss the Kofun age with you. Thank you so much for today. Regard Yosshi
$167/ per group
More tours by Yosshi S.
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Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hilltop
Osaka dates back to the 6th century, when a national temple was constructed on a hilltop jutting out into the sea. In the Middle Ages, court nobles believed the “Pure Land of Buddha” was beyond the setting sun. They would watch the sunset from the hilltop. In the early 20th century, locals constructed a so-called “Paradise on Earth” at the foot of the hill, which was called “New World,” centered on the symbol tower named “Lead to Heaven Tower”
Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hilltop
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Nara, Stroll in Nara Park led by Friendly Deer
In the 8th century, Nara became the nation's capital with grid-like streets and a new Imperial Palace. The emperor erected the Statue of Great Buddha to pray for peace and stability in the country. Powerful aristocrats invited deities from afar to be enshrined at newly built shrines and pray for prosperity. In the 19th century, this area was opened to the public as Nara (Deer) Park, a unique place where residents and tourists interact with deer on the grassy plazas.
Nara, Stroll in Nara Park led by Friendly Deer
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Nara, Stroll in Retro-Flavored Ancient Capital City
An 8th-century waka poem states, "Nara is a land of supreme beauty, surrounded by mountains." Ikaruga town began as a temple town for Horyuji, the world's oldest temple, and its pagoda towers amid a rural landscape surrounded by mountains. Naramachi town, a temple town for Gangoji Temple, still retains its retro-flavored streetscape. This tour explores these areas and appreciates the tranquil, beautiful, and pristine landscape in the old town.
Nara, Stroll in Retro-Flavored Ancient Capital City
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Osaka, Landmarks offer panoramic views of Entire City
The development of Osaka began in the 16th century when Osaka Castle and the castle town were built around a hilltop. In the 19th century, some railway lines were constructed in the city. Houses, commerce, and entertainment functions necessary for a big city have been provided around the railway stations. Thanks to the convenient location, those areas are being redeveloped for high-rise buildings with offices, shops, and observation decks.
Osaka, Landmarks offer panoramic views of Entire City
Other Popular Off the Beaten Path Tours in Osaka
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Osaka JR Fukuchiyama Abandoned Line Hike
The Fukuchiyama Abandoned Railway Hike is one of the hiking course that uses the abandoned railway line between Namase Station and Takedao Station on former Japan National Railways Fukuchiyama Line, was closed in 1986. Stretching for about 4.7km along the valley, the remains of the railway including 6 tunnels and 3 bridges from when locomotive once ran remain intact. The trail is easy enough for even beginners to hike and can be completed in about 2-3 hours at an average walking pace.
Osaka JR Fukuchiyama Abandoned Line Hike
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Osaka Tenjinbashitsuji 3-hour Walking Tour
This tour covers a guided walk through Osaka’s oldest shopping arcade. As such it is a wide palette of cultural and historical features which are otherwise impossible to find in other parts of Osaka.
Osaka Tenjinbashitsuji 3-hour Walking Tour
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Hidden Osaka: Shrines, Markets & Retro Streets
Step away from the busy tourist areas and discover a more local side of Osaka. We begin at Osaka Temmangu Shrine, a peaceful place loved by locals and connected to the city’s history. Then we walk through Tenjinbashisuji, the longest shopping street in Japan, filled with small shops and street food. Finally, we explore Nakazaki-cho, a retro neighborhood that survived wartime destruction and is now home to cozy cafés and vintage stores. Experience Osaka beyond the guidebooks.
Hidden Osaka: Shrines, Markets & Retro Streets
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Osaka Castle & Hidden Local Walk: Nakazakicho to Tenma
Discover the real Osaka beyond typical tourist spots. This 4-hour tour takes you from Osaka Castle to the nostalgic streets of Nakazakicho, and finally to Tenma, one of the city’s most lively local areas. Learn about samurai history at Osaka Castle, then explore retro neighborhoods filled with cozy cafes, vintage shops, and hidden alleys. In Tenma, experience local life and Osaka’s vibrant food culture. Enjoy a perfect balance of history, culture, and local experiences at a relaxed pace.
Osaka Castle & Hidden Local Walk: Nakazakicho to Tenma
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