Experience a half-day personalized tour delving into the rich history and vibrant culture of Osaka, featuring iconic landmarks including Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, and Dotonbori. Discover the footsteps of historical figures such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Conclude your tour in the lively Dotonbori area.
Contact me to plan your personalized half-day tour of Osaka's historical sites, vibrant neighborhoods, and culinary hotspots. Let's make your visit to Osaka truly memorable!
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 or Train station in Osaka city.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle stands as a prominent cultural landmark and a popular tourist destination, offering visitors insights into Japan's feudal history through its well-preserved castle grounds, museum exhibits, and panoramic views from its main tower. The castle's surroundings include expansive gardens, known for their seasonal beauty.
South area / Namba/ Dotonbori and Michi
After Osaka Castle, we'll immerse ourselves in the vibrant energy of Dotonbori. Stroll along the bustling canal lined with neon lights, and savor local delicacies like takoyaki and okonomiyaki from street vendors.
Located around Namba Station, Minami (South) is one of Osaka's two major city centers.
South area / Nipponbashi/Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market, known as "Osaka's Kitchen." Discover rows of stalls offering fresh seafood, produce, and culinary delights. Engage with vendors and taste specialties like sushi and Kobe beef, experiencing the lively atmosphere of this historic marketplace.
Ending Point
South area / Subway Namba station or Nipponbashi station.
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee and hospitality
Please prepare cash for the following expenses:
Food and drink
Public transportation fees
Admission fees for Osaka Castle, which have been revised to 1,200 JPY per person
Lunch, approximately 2,000 JPY per person
Kindly cover the admission fees, transportation costs, and lunch for the guide. Please have cash ready for payment at the facility.
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Transportation fee and lunch fee for yourself ans the guide will be paid by the customer.
I have started guiding in the Kansai area since 2023. I am passionate about introducing the history of Japan.
I am happy to introduce guests from overseas to the Japanese culture established by our predecessors.
I will introduce Japanese culture, food, cuisine, sake, nature, manga, spiritual culture, history, Buddhism, Shinto, Shugendo, pilgrimage paths, and other topics of interest.
Let me introduce myself. I was born in Osaka and grew up in Osaka and Kyoto. I have lived in the U.S., China, and Australia when I was young.
Mike C.
“A Wonderful Morning in Osaka”
My wife and I had the honor of spending our very first day in Japan — our honeymoon — with Akari-San in Osaka. From the very beginning, she made us feel so welcome, sharing her deep knowledge of the city and Japanese history in a way that was engaging, thoughtful, and easy to connect with. She went above and beyond to ensure our day was stress-free and enjoyable, even taking the time to teach us how to use the train system — something that can feel overwhelming at first. Her kindness, patience, and attention to detail made us feel completely at ease, allowing us to focus on simply enjoying the beauty of Osaka. What stood out most was the genuine care she showed, constantly checking in to make sure we were comfortable and happy. It truly felt like spending the day with a dear friend! This was the perfect way to begin our journey, and it will remain one of the most cherished memories of our lives. Thank you, Akari-San, for being part of our adventure in Japan in such a meaningful and unforgettable way.
Akari Y.
Thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful message. I am truly grateful to have had the chance to be part of such a special moment at the very beginning of your new journey together. I sincerely hope that your honeymoon in Japan will become a shining memory for you both. Seeing your closeness reminded me of the time when I first met my husband, and it brought back such fond memories. In a way, I felt as though I was looking at my younger self and my husband through the two of you. Please know that I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and wish you both lasting happiness. Thank you again for allowing me to share in this precious day of your lives. It was such an honor to be with you on one of the most memorable days of your lives. It was a day that reminded me how grateful I am to be a guide, and I truly felt that you shared your happiness with me. Thank you for that gift.
Dana F.
“What a wonderful experience!”
What a great pleasure it was to meet Akari! I visited Osaka on the last leg of my visit to Japan and didn‘t expect that much after all the wonderful experiences of the last few weeks. How wrong I was! And it wasn’t so much about Osaka and it‘s sights (don‘t get me wrong - they are truly impressive) but rather about Akari and her stories. It was like meeting an old friend and spending a couple of pleasant hours walking through town and enjoying some very good Korean food together. In a country where language is a barrier (unless you speak Japanese of course), Akari gave me some much wanted and appreciated insights into not only the history of Osaka (a city she dearly loves) but also the day to day life here in Japan.
Akari Y.
Thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful message. I truly felt as if I were guiding an old friend, and I had such a wonderful time with you. It was as if we had known each other from long ago—even from a time before this life. I especially enjoyed sharing delicious Korean food with you and walking through Namba, where you listened attentively to the city's stories and joined in the fun with me. I was also very happy that you listened with such interest to the history and features of Osaka Castle. Your curiosity and openness made our time together even more enjoyable. I was deeply impressed by how much you understand and respect Japanese culture—it truly touched my heart. Even after you return home, I hope you can continue to enjoy the comfortable time you had here in Japan. I am sure that whenever you close your eyes, the vivid and happy memories of Japan will come back to you. Meeting someone like you reminds me of why I love being a guide. I am sincerely grateful for our encounter and hope our paths will cross again in the future. Next time we meet, I will welcome you with some Japanese natural wine specially prepared for the occasion!
Penny M.
“Fabulous Day”
Akari was fabulous. Our group included various ages and Akari was able to facilitate all needs. Thoroughly enjoyed the hike and the information she provided. Would happily recommend.
Akari Y.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad everyone enjoyed the hike. We were fortunate with the weather—it was pleasantly cool and comfortable. I also really enjoyed our chat about Naruto. Wishing you a wonderful time ahead in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara—enjoy the ninja experience, Animate, and it might be fun to stop by the Jump Shop at Daimaru Shinsaibashi PARCO in Osaka, where you can find lots of One Piece character goods.
$171/ per group