The development of Osaka began in the 16th century when Osaka Castle and the castle town were built on 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, new high-rise buildings and old wooden houses are used for shops, galleries, and cafes, and attract locals and visitors.
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
Development and redevelopment area around Osaka Central Station
>Umeda Sky Building/a 360-degree panoramic view from the open roof of 173 meters high connecting buildings
>Grand Front/Grand Green Osaka (22ha/54 acres)/the newest luxury hotels and restaurants zone with a vast grass square opened in March 2025
>Daimaru Department Store (13 Floor)/Nintendo Osaka, the official store for Nintendo brand items such as Mario, Pokémon, One Piece, etc.
>Nakazaki-cyo/10 minutes’ walk from Osaka Station, some 100-year-old townhouses are renovated into a clothing store, gallery, café for international tourists
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 Towe, can be seen from here
>Hokoku Jinja Shrine/dedicated to TOYOTOMI, built by order of the emperor to honor a great feudal lord who contributed to the unification of the country
Namba Parks Garden & Yasaka Jinjya
>Namba Parks/an office and shopping complex with the terraced rooftop garden, 100 thousand trees and flowers harmonize the building with nature, a 120-tenant shopping mall including SUMO Entertainment Show Hall (requires reservations)
>Namba Yasaka Jinjya Shrine/enshrined the guardian deity who protected locals against epidemics, a stage structure with the shape of a lion’s head attracts lots of worshippers
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)/Umeda Sky Building(2000JPY), Osaka Castle Tower(1200JPY)
>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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