(Highlights)
Dotombori is to Osaka what Gion is to Kyoto. The district is located in the area popularly called "Minami (south)", or south of Osaka city centering on Kintets` Railway Namba station, as compared with "Kita (north)", where JR Osaka station is the hub. On both sides of Dotombori river line business offices, shops, entertainment facilities and all sorts of restaurants and eateries. You can enjoy cruising the 20-minute river on board the yellow-colored boat, which is run two to third times an hour between 1 pm and 9 pm.
(How to enjoy)
Walk along the banks of Dotombori river, spend happy time on board the cruising boat while doing the sites on both sides, or enjoy eating or shopping in the area above the river bank. It would be better for you to be there in the evening in summer when the daytime heat subsides and cool wind prevails. There are many well-known places which have distinctive characteristics: Ebisubashi-suji shopping street, where many shops from Edo period line; Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, where there are fashionable shops; Soemon-cho Shopping Street good for night life; Dotombori Shopping Street, otherwise called "Kuidaore-no-mahci, where you can spend all your money eating; Sennichi-mae Shopping Street; and Hozenji-yokocho Street, known for the mossed "Mizukake-fudoson" Buddha statue and for the long-running TV drams in former days. All these places are good for eating and walking. By the way, "suji" means a street running from north to south in Osaka.
(Others)
JR transportation fare from Kyoto to Osaka is 560 yen and the subway fare from Osaka to Namba, 240 yen. The fare for the cruise boat ride is 900 yen.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel.
Dotombori river (cruising).
Restaurants known for the popular Japanese term
Ending Point
At your hotel.
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee, hotel pick-up in Kyoto area
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, dinner, hotel-pick-up in areas beyond Kyoto area
I would like at least 7 days notice before a booking.
It took me some 20 years to be qualified for this job and I feel honored for being able to help tourists from abroad understand our nation and culture. Japan is a beautiful country with a long history, tradition and rich cultural heritages, having various features in each of the four distinct seasons. Although there are now many visitors from abroad, mainly from Asian countries, they are mostly interested in shopping taking advantage of cheaper yen rather than understanding our people and culture. Kyoto and Nara are the two cities best known by foreign tourists, but not all the aspects of Japanese culture are concentrated there. If you visit the countryside other than these two cities, you will never fail to see the beautiful natural surroundings and people who will warmly welcome you. I wish to work as the bridge between Japanese people and tourists from all over the world.
Wilson W.
Premium tour of Kyoto (1) : Arashiyama, Nijo-jo Castle & Kinkakuji temple
“Great tour”
Hiro was a great guide and gentleman.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Bill-san & LeAnn-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment, which encouraged and inspired me to do a better job as an entertainer for tourists from abroad. Your pleasure is mine. I am sure you are now settled in your home in the state of Arizona consisting largely of deserts. I wish you two an even greater happiness and better health. Regards, Hiro
“Fun Day in Nara”
Hiro-san (Tatsuhiro) was a thoughtful and interesting guide. He brought along home-made props to help us dress up and take pictures for this location. We are slow paced seniors so this 1/2 day travel by subway and walking tour to see the Great Buddha and the deers in Nara was an exhilarating day trip.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Nina-san, Thank you very much for your favorable review. I am much encouraged reading it. Above all, I am glad the two-day tour was completed safely and that I saw your smiling faces all the way. I wish you all a good luck and happy days ahead. See you again sometime somewhere. Regards, Hiro
“Kind and knowledgeable guide for our day in Kyoto”
Hiro-san expertly guided my son and I on a day tour of Kyoto. Hiro met us promptly as promised and kindly provided a sun umbrella for the hot day. He expertly guided us around Kyoto using walking and public transportation, making us feel like locals. Hiro has a very kind manner and was very patient with us, allowing to make changes during the day as needed. He also brought along fun photo props for our day, and promptly sent us photos of us that he had taken. Kyoto is a beautiful city and we look forward to returning!
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Keith-san & Josh-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. I am glad you enjoyed a tour in Kyoto and I was much encouraged by your words. I wish you could have another opportunity to visit the city in the near future. I wish you an even greater success in your business and a good luck for Josh-san in his study. Regards, Hiro
$130/ per group