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Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town

Scenic Point on the hill

Osaka Castle on the hill

Grounds in the Hokoku Shrine

East gate of Pure Land in Shitennoji Temple

Shitennoji Temple

Garden of Pure Land

Lotus flower at Jodo Pond

Image of Nirvana statue

Lotus flower and bud

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 the Temple Town

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 the first official temple was built on the hilltop. In the Middle Ages, the emperor’s family and aristocrats believed that the Pure Land of Buddha was beyond the sunset and meditated in hermitages on the hill while watching the sun sink into the sea. Locals walked up(temples) and down (residences) regularly, enjoying life in this world and praying for a place in the Pure Land in the next life.

Itinerary

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

12:00 PM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Osaka City

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 Tower can be seen from here

>Hokoku Jinja Shrine/dedicated to TOYOTOMI, the shrine was built by order of the emperor to honor a great feudal lord who contributed to the unification of the country

Yuhigaoka area (literally means sunset-hill with some 100 temples)

>Shitennoji Temple/the first official temple built in the 6th century by the order of Prince Syotoku, considered to be the “East Gate of Pure Land”

#Garden of Buddhist Pure Land/a garden that embodies an imaginary of Pure Land/Heaven with 2 streams and 2 ponds introducing natural spring water

>Isshinji Temple/the first place to practice Sunset Meditation* by the ex-emperor in the 12th century

*Gazing at the setting sun during meditation while concentrating one’s thoughts on an imagined Pure Land

Tennoji Park and Shinsekai area

>Tennoji Park (26ha/64 acres)/founded in 1909, comprising the zoo, the museum of fine art, Keitaku-en(Japanese garden), and the remains of the Osaka Summer/Winter War in the 17th century

>Shinsekai (9.2ha/23 acres/meaning New World)/was constructed by copying the design of Paris and New York in 1912, lots of local food places such as Takoyaki, Yakitori, Ramen, Sushi, etc.

>Tsutenkaku Tower (literally means Leads to Heaven)/the symbol tower with 108 m in Osaka,

Note: requires reservations for the observation deck

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)/subway and train (some 1500JPY)/

>admission fee (you/per adult)/Osaka Castle Tower(1200JPY), Shitennoji Temple (600JPY), Keitaku-en Garden(300JPY)

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>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.

Important message from the supplier

>If you'd like to take a listed or customized tour, please send me a message in advance. I will check the availability of the facilities listed on my itinerary (opening days/hours, reservation requirements, etc.).

>The tour schedule may change if public transportation or tourist attractions experience high demand.

>To ensure a relaxed and easy-going tour, I combine trains, subways, trams, buses, walking, and taxis (for small groups).

>The tour is not insured, so I hope you get 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 safely and 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 the Temple Town

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 the Temple Town

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 through Nara Park led by the 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