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Osaka: Culinary Culture Tour 6 hours
Joined 2018
In this tour, first we will visit Osaka Castle, one of the must-see spots in Osaka. Then we will visit food-related places, such as Dohtonbori Canal Area and
Kuromon Market. Sometimes, Osaka is called "Tenka no Daidokoro". It means, "the kitchen of the country". We will visit these exciting spots, focusing on the culinary culture in Osaka. In the conclusion of this tour, you will have an idea why Osaka is called "Tenka no Daidokoro".
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 Osaka city, or some place easy to meet each other.
- I will meet you probably at your hotel in the morning. So please let me know the name of your hotel, and its address, if you can,
Osaka Castle
The view from the top of Castle Tower is wonderful. You can see all the directions from there, as if you were a Samurai leader in the Warring State Period.
Gokuraku-bashi Bridge
Before Osaka Castle was constructed, there was a large temple hall for a Buddhist group up on the site. They regarded this place as Paradise. Then, the bridge was called “Gokuraku-bashi”, or “Bridge for Paradise”. Many people came and crossed the bridge in order to reach the Paradise.
Kuromon Food Market
There are about 150 shops in the market. They sell vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood as usual. However, they also have Japanese pickle shop and dried food shops. However, you may find different type of fish such as blow fish, turtles, etc, at fish shop. You can nibble at whatever you feel like having.
Lunch
What would you like to have for lunch, Sushi, Okonomi-yaki, Kushikatsu, Udon noodles, Ramen, or barbecue?
Dohtonbori Canal Area
There used to be several playhouses and Kabuki theaters along the street. They were built since the early17th century and had stayed over the centuries as the mecca of entertainments. But now, only one Kabuki theater is remained.
Hohzenji Temple
This little temple is very-well known for its Fudo Myooh statue. He is one of the Buddhist images, and this particular Fudo Myooh is covered with moss all over his body. He keeps evils away from people and fulfill your wishes, according to the teachings of Buddha.
Dohguya-suji Market
Professional cooks, restaurant managers and barroom owners come to this street and pick up kitchen utensils on Dohguya-suji Market. You might want to get Takoyaki iron board there?. We will walk through Ebisubashi-suji Street to get to this market.
American ( a Coffee Shop)
This old coffee shop began doing business a year after the war ended in 1946. This coffee shop has an interesting story when it was started.
Tour End
Toshi can take you back to your hotel in Osaka. Or somewhere convenient for you.
Ending Point
Nipponbashi Metro Station, or your hotel. Or some place conveniet for you.
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 meet-up
Some restaurants, taxis, temples, and museums do not take credit card. Toshi will tell you, in advance, how much money you will need for the tour. Transportation fares (for you and the guide), lunch are not included, or other misc. purchases. Thank you.
Tour Important Information
* Toshi will charge actual transportation fare to get to your hotel from his home in Osaka at the end of the tour. (R.T.)
* Duration of guiding service : minimum 6 hours and maximum 8 hours during the period of March 20th ~ November 31st.
* This tour is for those who do not mind walking 8~9 km or 5~6 miles in average. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
* It is recommended that you purchase insurance for your trip to Japan.
* If you are working for a travel agency, please note that my guiding service is not available for your tour program, thank you.
Important message from the supplier
* Toshi will charge actual transportation fee (R.T.) to get to your hotel from his home in Osaka at the end of the tour.
* Duration of guiding service : minimum 6 hours and maximum 10 hours during the period of March 20th ~ November 31st.
* If you are working for a travel agency, please note that my guiding service is not available for your tour program, thank you.
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 2018
About Tour Guide Toshi M.
Hello, my nickname is Toshi. I am a nationally licensed tour guide, working mostly in the Kansai Region, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. I was born in Kyoto and live in Osaka now. I went to the U.S. and stayed there for several years. Returning to Japan, I began to work as a media coordinator. Media coordinator helps foreign film makers, TV productions, or journalists who want to produce documentaries or TV programs about Japan. I assisted them in such ways as finding locations, setting up interviews, coordinating logistics etc. Some of the things that a media coordinator should do is similar to what a tour guide does, in order to present good guiding services.
As I have worked on various media projects, I traveled extensively throughout Japan. That experience led me to a greater appreciation for my own country and culture. Japan’s culture is very unique and rich with entertainment, art, literature, craft work, Manga, temples and shrines, festivals, food and drinks, etc.. It’s countless. I would like to share these things with you. I presented some tours around Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara in my tour pages. If you would like to explore Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, or else, please let me know. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Reviews
“Day to remember ”
Although Toshi had a sprained ankle he never stopped in his quest to show us his Osaka. From Osaka castle, the museum with its replica of a Japanese village to the 2km shopping centre it was fantastic.
Toshi M.
Hi Ian, Thank you very much for your review with the good pictures. I’m really glad that you guys enjoyed the tour with me in Osaka. Terry and you were very excited about being able to find interesting Kimono in the long shopping mall. Also, the museum of 1830s attracted everyone in your group. I get happy to see my clients enjoy their tour with me. Thank you. Toshi M.
“Nice person, perhaps an off day”
Unfortunately, our experience did not match the rave reviews we read prior to booking. Toshi is a nice, gentle person, but was perhaps too passive and tentative during our time together. WFor example, we ended up taking the lead to find the correct subway to get to our first destination. It's possible that he was very tired that day, because he did not capture the vibrancy and energy of Osaka. We have traveled extensively and have hired guides in 5 continents. This was one of the few times that our expectations were not met.
Toshi M.
Hi Lloyd, Thank you for taking your time and writing about your tour with me in Osaka. People come to Osaka with an expectations that they want to have good experiences in a different culture, such as, through visiting interesting spots, taking transport and food. I apologize for not being able to meet your expectations well in your Osaka tour. I learned a lot from this experience. I will be careful about that. If you plan to come back to Osaka, or else, please let me know, if you do not mind. Best.
“Amazing 2 days with Toshi”
Toshi was a wonderful guide throughout our two days with him through Osaka and Nara! Despite some hard to navigate crowds, he skillfully guided us with ease, allowing us to have a great experience. He took us to two great lunch spots, one of them being my favorite sushi on our trip through Japan. We also made a great memory at a sweet and tea shop he encouraged us to stop into, though not in the original itinerary. Toshi definitely wants to help make great memories for the people he guides. I couldn’t recommend Toshi more and will definitely book him again our next time in the area.
Toshi M.
H i Laura, Thank you very much for saying good things about me. As you expressed, yes, we had such a good time in Osaka and Nara. I felt like I was with good friends visiting me from the States. Maybe, in a way I enjoyed this tour more than you guys. And right now, I’m enjoying remembering back especially Kimono attire of both of you, and what happened around Exit 14. I thank you for being my guest. Toshi M.
$182/ per group
More tours by Toshi M.
Osaka : OLD & NEW Tour 6 hours
Firstly, you will visit Osaka Castle. The castle was built in the late16th century during the medieval ages. After learning about the Warring State Times in Japan, you will visit The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living to see and feel how the people in Osaka lived in the 1830s. On the contrary to visiting a few historic places besides Tenmangu Shrine as “Old”, we will visit Dotonbori Area, as “New”, representing modern times in the Southern part of Osaka.
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"Higashi-yama" means Eastern mountain in Japanese. It is an interesting area with historic and scenic spots. They are located on the foot of Eastern mountains in Kyoto city. Anyone can enjoy visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu temple. In addition, walking in the historic site gives you a feel of olden time Kyoto atmosphere, and you will find a unique impression while strolling in the Gion Geisha district.
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