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Osaka : OLD & NEW Tour 6 hours
Joined 2018
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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Meeting up at your hotel
Toshi will come to your hotel to meet you.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is a symbol of Osaka. The original castle was destroyed, due to the war between Toyotomi clan and Tokugawa clan. The present castle was reconstructed in 1931 by donation from citizens of Osaka.
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
This museum displays how people lived in Osaka during 1830s. They built the townhouse in actual size and installed authentic things. If you stay on the street for 10 minutes, you might feel as if you were there, back in the 19th century Japan.
Tenjinbashi Shouten-gai
This is the longest mall in Japan, and its length is 2.6 km. However, we will not walk through this mall all the way. We walk 5~6 minutes from a nearby Metro station. Compare the modern shops on this street with the museum's tenement shops.
Lunch
We will probably go to a Soba noodle shop near the next spot,Tenjin Shrine.
Tenmangu Shrine
Sugawara Michizane was a brilliant scholar and successful politician in the Imperial Court in the late 9th century. But he was demoted from high ranking position by slander, and transferred to Dazaifu, Kyushu. There, he lived in a poor condition, and passed away heartbroken. This shrine was a place Michizane dropped in on the way to Dazaifu. You will find out more about the story.
Dohton-bori Canal Area
Then, you will come to Dohton-bori Canal Area, the most lively and vibrant area in the Southern part of Osaka. The main street is really a food street with so many restaurants with gigantic signboards.
Old Coffee Shop
We will take a short coffee brake at the shop started in1946. International travelers often come too, because they want to see what this old Japanese coffee shop is like.
Hozen-ji 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. It's interesting to see a temple in busy area.
Tour End
This is the end of the tour. Toshi can take you back to your hotel. Or he can drop you off at a location convenient for you. Thank you very much for joining our tour.
Ending Point
At Your Hotel, or Nanba Metro Station, or some place convenient 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. So you have to bring cash. Toshi will tell you, in advance, how much money you will need for this tour in yen. 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 fee 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.
* It is recommended that you purchase insurance for your trip in 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
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Osaka "Free Itinerary" Tour [6 Hours]
You've a tour group with many ideas. Some have done research, while others want to go with the flow. You can't find a tour that ticks all the boxes. Until now. I'll take you to your chosen destinations, and if we pass by a hidden gem, I'll share it with you. This tour gives you the freedom to make changes on a whim. Whether you want to switch up the itinerary or explore a lesser-known spot more deeply, I am all in. I thrive on spontaneity and am happy to accommodate your every whim.
