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Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Scenic Point on the hill

Osaka Castle on the hill

Cherry blossoms in Osaka Castle Park

Statue of Toyotomi Hedeyoshi

Grounds in the Hokoku Shrine

Shitennoji Temple

Lotus flower

Lotus flower and bud

Image of Nirvana statue

Gosyuin, a red ink stamp of Shitennouji

Main Gate of Isshinji Temple

Monument inscribed with a Waka poem

Locals up and down the hill

Tennoji Park

Tennoji Park in spring

Monument at Battle field

Tsutenkaku Tower

Drama theater

Playground of Japanese Bow

Sunset over Osaka Bay

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Osaka

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 6 people

Osaka dates back to the 6th century, when a national temple was constructed on a hill 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 temples with great views while on pilgrimage from Kyoto to Kumano. In the early 20th century, locals constructed a so-called “Paradise on Earth” beneath the hill, which was called “New World” centered on the symbol tower, “Lead to Heaven Tower”

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

11:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Osaka City

Temple Town Strengthened Osaka Castle's Defenses

#Osaka Castle/Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan in the 16th century, built Osaka Castle at the top of a hill. Because the castle was surrounded by water on three sides, about 100 temples were gathered on the land-connected south side to serve as a defensive base for the castle.

#Osaka Castle Park (105 ha)/Osaka Castle Park is centered around two moats and features the Osaka Castle Tower. The park also features numerous flowering trees, including plum and cherry blossoms, as well as several buildings.

#Former Kishu Goten Gardens/The garden of Wakayama Castle has been relocated here, and the view of the tower from here is outstanding.

#Hokoku Jinjya Shrine/Passing through the torii gate, you'll be greeted by a statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Many people visit here to admire his success story.

"Sunset Hill" , Best Place to Watch Sunset

#Shitennoji Temple/The first national temple, built by order of Prince Shotoku in the 6th century. You may watch the sunset from between the torii gates, earning it the nickname "East Gate of Pure Land."

#Pure Land Garden/The garden depicts the journey of crossing two streams, representing hardship, before reaching a Pure Land Pond filled with blooming lotus flowers.

#Isshinji Temple /This is the place where the retired emperor first meditated while watching the sunset in the 12th century. The rugged Kongorikishi statues at the temple gate are very unique.

Paradise on earth consists of large park and unique downto

#Tennoji Park (26 ha) /The site of the early 20th century Domestic Industrial Expo. was converted into a public park and the Shinsekai district. The park, opened in 1909, includes an art museum, a Japanese garden, and a zoo. A panoramic view can be enjoyed from Chausuyama battlefields, the site of the 17th-century Summer and Winter Campaigns of Osaka.

#Shinsekai District (9.2 ha) /This district imitated designs from Paris and New York. It's packed with places serving such local Osaka food as Takoyaki, Yakitori, and Ramen, as well as playgrounds like Japanese Archery, Shooting Galleries, Movie and Drama theaters.

#Tsutenkaku Tower /Osaka's iconic 108-meter-tall tower in the center of the Shinsekai district. It's also known as the "Hitachi Tower" due to the sign on its wall. Admission to the observation deck requires a reservation for the date and time in advance.

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

What‘s included

>guide fee, hotel pick up in Osaka City

What‘s not included

>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/train, subway, and bus (some 1500JPY), taxi (undecided)

>admission fee (you/per adult)/Osaka Castle Tower(1200JPY), Shitennoji Temple (800JPY), Tsutenkaku Tower(1200JPY)

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>If you're staying in Kyoto or Nara, I'll pick you up at your hotel and take you to Osaka. In this case, the pick-up time will be the start time of the tour. Pick-up is also possible at JR Osaka Station or Hankyu Umeda Station.

>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 the towers.

>The above additional fees are often paid in CASH on-site, so please have some Japanese yen(JPY).

>The 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 skip, 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.

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

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I'd love to guide you to three ancient capital cities, each with a 1,000-year history of urban development and a 100-year history of filmmaking. I grew up in OSAKA and earned a Master's Degree in Engineering in KYOTO. I worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for national and local governments in TOKYO and OSAKA, dedicated to creating cities that were safe and comfortable for residents and attractive for visitors.

Then I became a freelance urban planner with a Nationally Licensed Professional Engineer. I've visited urban development sites and filming locations in 90 cities in 30 countries, sharing the unique cityscapes of these cities on social media.

OSAKA, KYOTO, and NARA established a metropolitan area centered around the Imperial Palace with political, economic, and cultural hubs from the 7th to 19th centuries. Even today, locals continue to maintain beautiful cityscapes, preserve historical heritage, and celebrate traditional events. Many travelers visit these three cities to experience them in person.

The three cities are all within a one-hour ride by intercity train. The cities have an extensive subway, tram, and bus network, allowing you to access many tourist spots in a short amount of time. I am also a Nationally Licensed Guide Interpreter and Certified General Travel Service Manager, and I will create a memorable travel plan comprising places and stories based on your requests. I will also ensure that you get around efficiently using the appropriate means of transportation within the limited time you have. Please feel free to contact me.

Reviews

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

“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.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka

6 hours

“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

James K.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2025

Nara, Stroll in Nara Park led by Friendly Deer

Oct 21, 2025

Nara

6 hours

“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.

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