Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timer
There are a lot of places to visit, a lot of things to do in Osaka. From historical sites to food venders hopping. CHOOSE 3-4 places you want to visit from the list below and let me know. I will customize a tour for you.
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
Osaka Castle
The main castle building was reconstructed in 1931. There still remains 13 buildings of the Edo Era (16th-19th century). 60-90 minutes
Admission to the mail castle building; JPY1200
Kuromon Market Food Venders Hopping
Local market with a long history. Visited by 18000 people daily. Fish, fruits, drinks, there are 170 stores here and “order to go hopping” available.
Dotombori Streets
This is the busiest area in Osaka. There are a lot of restaurants, shops and entertainment facilities here.
Shin Sekai and Tsutenkaku Tower
Pictures taken in this area sometimes represent the image of Osaka. Tsutenkaku Tower, Blow fish signboard, Billy Ken Deity and more.
Spend time as much as you want.
Shitenoji Temple
This temple was established in 593 and is the first temple established by the Law.
Admission; JPY500
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and Local Hankai Tramways
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine was established in the 7th century to enshrine the deity of the sea.
Four of the shrine buildings are designated as national treasures. Admission free.
Local Tram ride available to and from Tennoji Terminal.
Abeno Harukas
This 300m high building is the tallest building in Japan. You will have a 360degree view of Osaka from the observation deck on the 60th floor. Admission to the observation deck;JPY2,000 per person. Free observation deck on the 19th floor is opened for tourists.
Umeda Sky Building
Admission to the observation deck; JPY2000per person.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Admission; JPY2300 per person.
Ukiyoe Museum
Tea Ceremony Experince
From JPY3,900
Ask for details
Historic town of Tondabayashi
Tondabayashi is a town that developed centered by a temple in the 17th century.
The good old Japan of from the late 19th century to the early 20th century still remains here. Among them, the former Sugiyama residence is a merchant house built more than 300 years ago, we will visit the inside of it along with the Tanaka family residence, which was a former landlord.
It takes 30 minutes one way to Tondabayashi from city center Tennoji.
JPY500 for former Shugiyama residence
Hiking to Minoo Waterfall
There is a hiking trail in Osaka. Minoh is a 30-minute train ride from city center Umeda. We will hike for 40-minute from the station to Minoo Waterfall in the green with stops at canyons, shrines, and temples.
It takes four hours for a round trip from city center Umeda.
Katsuo-ji, Darma dolls temple
Founded in the 8th century, this temple is famous for its many Dharma dolls dedicated to praying for victory. It is an hour away from Umeda, the center of Osaka, by subway and bus one way. A seven-hour tour is also possible in combination with Minoo Otaki.
TeamLab Botanical Garden
TeamLab Botanical Garden opens at 7:00pm
JPY1,600
Ending Point
TBD
Want to personalize this tour?
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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.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee,
hotel pick up (in Down Town Osaka)
Insurance
Transportation fare for guests and guide
Entrance fees for guests and guide
Lunch for guests and guide
Drinks
Tour Important Information
As this is a SUBWAY and WALKING tour, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Choose 3-4 places from the list that you want to visit, then I will customize a tour for you.
Tours are NOT covered by insurance.
Transportation fare(subway rides), entrance fees, lunch and drinks for GUESTS and GUIDE are NOT included in the guide fee.
Direct payment for these cost will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
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
About Tour Guide Hiroyuki T.
Hi!
I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations.
I am very good at cultural heritages.
And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area.
I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government.
I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka and other places as I was a cultural heritage management and international relations professional.
I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.
If you need a good guide in the Tokyo area, I have a friend on GoWithGuide I can recommend you!
Reviews
Planet V.
“Great experience”
Hiro was a great guide for our group. He is very knowledgeable about Mt. Koya, he shared many interesting details and information and answered all of our questions. His English is also very good. During the booking process he was also very accommodating and helpful. Overall, it was a great experience!
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Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind message. It was really nice meeting you and your group. It was a little hustle but I hope that you enjoy the Koyasan tour. I also hope that you enjoy Nara, Kyoto and other places in Japan. I will be looking forward to seeing you again in April. Hiro
Joann T.
“A great tour of Osaka”
For this tour, we visited Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, and Shitennoji temple as per my request. Hiroyuki-san speaks very good English and ran the tour in a professional and friendly manner. He knows his way around Osaka well and is able to navigate the city subway system and streets very efficiently. He was articulate and knowledgeable, giving good background and historical explanations for all of the locations we visited. He also pointed out the best places to take photos and found several good options for lunch. I appreciated him adapting the tour to accommodate for my sore knee that day. There was a lot of walking, but the tour kept a comfortable pace. It was an enjoyable day. Osaka is a big city where you could easily get lost, so I highly recommend a tour like this. Thank-you Hiroyuki-san!
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Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for kind message. I hope that you liked both Wakayama tour and Osaka tour. I am sorry that I made you walk a lot. Are your knees good now? I also hope that you keep in touch with your relatives in Japan. Hiro
Joann T.
“This was a unique and very memorable tour.”
This tour was just amazing and I highly recommend Hiroyuki-san as a guide. Based on what information I had, Hiroyuki-san was able to track down my relatives. He then contacted them in a tactful and professional manner to see if they were interested in meeting me. They were, so he arranged for us to meet, handling numerous back-and-forth messages between me and the relatives beforehand. On the tour day he went with me to countryside, where my relatives are located. I had the opportunity to do a cemetery visit, and then spent some time chatting with my newfound family members. Hiroyuki-san patiently served as translator as my relatives and I learned about each other. He also helped to draw out a family tree for me. It was a very pleasant meeting. I never thought I would have the opportunity to meet any of my relatives in Japan, so it was an incredible experience that I will remember forever. Thank you so much, Hiroyuki-san!
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Hiroyuki T.
You were happy. The T family was happy. I-san was happy. Obasan was happy. Your ancestors at the graves were happy Everybody was happy. I did a good job, I am happy!
$275/ per group
More tours by Hiroyuki T.
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Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
There are a lot of Buddhism temples and Shinto Shrines in Kyoto. This tour focuses on three UNESCO World Heritage temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for a lot of red Torii gates and Bamboo Forest in Arashiyma to feel the profundity of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places which are not listed here, like Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu-dera and others, just let me know, I will customize a tour for you.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
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One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
Mt. Koya is a very important part of the World Heritage site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains”. Mt. Koya is in Wakayama Prefecture and I used to work for Wakayama Prefectural Government as a general manager of Cultural Heritage Division and I was also in charge of the World Heritage Project. I know this sacred mountain very well.
One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
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Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
In Nara, eight Buddhism temples and Shintoism Shrines are included in the World Heritage as “Historic Monuments in Ancient Capital of Nara” as those represent close cultural exchanges between Japan and China, and even Hellenism culture in the 8th century. On this tour we will visit three of them in a day from Osaka.
Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
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Cultural Properties in Ancient Capital of Kyoto- from Osaka
In Kyoto, there are a lot of cultural properties. Of them, seventeen temples and shrines are included in World Heritage. On this tour, we will visit some of them from Osaka to feel the profundity and splendor of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places not listed here, for example, if you would like to visit Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, Silver Pavilion, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Sanjusangen-do and others, just let me know. I will customize a tour for you.
Cultural Properties in Ancient Capital of Kyoto- from Osaka
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Osaka
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Osaka’s Top Must-See Spots in One Perfect Tour
This 8-hour tour is the perfect way to enjoy Osaka in one day. It’s carefully designed to show you the city’s must-see spots with a great mix of culture, fun, and local flavor. You’ll experience the best of Osaka—efficiently and comfortably.
Osaka’s Top Must-See Spots in One Perfect Tour
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Half-Day Tour of Osaka’s Must-See Sights
Explore the must-see highlights of Osaka in just half a day! This guided tour takes you through three of the city’s most iconic spots: the majestic Osaka Castle, the lively streets of Dotonbori, and the vibrant subculture hub of Nipponbashi (Den Den Town). Learn about Osaka’s rich history, enjoy local street food, and experience the unique blend of tradition and modern pop culture — all in one exciting tour. Perfect for first-time visitors who want to make the most of their time in Osaka!
Half-Day Tour of Osaka’s Must-See Sights
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Kobe Night Tour – Kobe Beef Street Food & Local Izakaya
Experience Kobe like a local in just two hours. Start from your hotel and dive into the vibrant night streets of Sannomiya and Motomachi. Enjoy premium Kobe beef street food (bite-size steak, sushi, skewers) and finish with a drink at a local izakaya loved by Kobe residents. I supports all ordering, cultural explanations, and translations. Perfect for travelers who want a short but authentic Kobe nightlife experience.
Kobe Night Tour – Kobe Beef Street Food & Local Izakaya
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Osaka Hilights, the present and the past.
Osaka is the 2nd commercial city in Japan, and was the 1st commercial city, 400 years ago. Since Osaka is very active, Osaka tried to erect magestic establishments continuously, This tour consists of 6 elements, the present and the past. In the past is Osaka Castle. The present establishment is Umeda Sky Building, 2 Ferris Wheels, Kiyu-kan (Aquarium) and Doutonboiri District
Osaka Hilights, the present and the past.
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