Tour of Osaka Tenjin-matsuri Festival / Cruising on the river
Joined 2014
(Highlights)
Held in the evening of July 25 each year, this festival attracts more than a million spectators. Dozens of rafts full of invited, kimono-clad people towed by small boats go upstream the major river in the heart of Osaka, while on-lookers watch from the river bank, nearby bridges and the pier. There stand stalls selling varieties of food, filling in every nook and corner of the river bank. Thousands of fireworks are shot up into the night sky to the great enjoyment of visitors.
(Origin of the festival)
The myth says that in the year 951, two years after God descended from heaven and settled in the Tenmangu Shrine, they flowed a sacred float in the river from the nearby beach and a funeral hall was built and "misogi" purification ceremony held at the shore where the float reached. Then, those living near the shrine and worshipers built a ship to contributed to the shrine.
(How to enjoy)
You can see rafts full of "yukata"-clad people in the festive mood on board slowly going upstream the river, while being soaked in the cool evening atmosphere. After dark, fireworks setting the skies ablaze make you sigh in joyful excitement. You can have whatever food you like at the stalls built in the riverbank.
(Transportation)
The JR train fare from Kyoto station to Osaka station is 560 yen and the subway fare, 180 yen.
(Others)
Since the venue is very crowded, please do your utmost in protecting yourself from being bumped by others and from theft. If you are there on the days other than the festival day, you can enjoy cruising on board a sightseeing ship called "Osaka water-bus" for a fee of 1,700 yen for one-hour ride. You can see the landscape of Osaka city from different angles as the ship sails along the river. Daytime only, however.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel.
Tenma-bashi Bridge
Minami-tenma Park
Ending Point
At your hotel.
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 pick-up in Kyoto area
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, dinner, hotel pick-up in areas beyond Kyoto area, cruising fee
Tour Important Information
Important message from the supplier
I would like at least 7 days notice before a booking.
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 2014
About Tour Guide Tatsuhiro N.
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.
Reviews
Alfonso S.
“Good old man”
A very nice and educated old men not to fluent in English and hard to understand his ocasional explanations at the different sites visited. We had to walk very long distances in the heat to reach public transportation, when we could have save time and sweat by taking a cab. We are sure that probably in Japanese he would have been a better experience. Anyway he was very kind with us.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Alfonso-san, Thank you very much for your honest and straightforward feedback on the three-day tour. I humbly accept every bit of your opinion and sincerely apologize to you for having you walk a long and arduous distance under the intense heat. In hindsight, I thought we should have taken a taxi to move from one place to another, but I was afraid of the cost it could have entailed. I sincerely take your comment to heart so that I can offer my future customers an even better service than ever before. At the same time, I will polish my listening comprehension with the help of radio English conversation programs more attentively. I will also learn more about the history and the attractions of each of the sights in Kyoto and elsewhere. Finally, I wish you all a greater health and success in your business. And if ever a chance should offer itself, I would look forward to having more customers from your country. Let me add one most important point: Thank you very much for the tip. Enjoy the rest of your stay in our country. Regards, Hiro
Amandeep S.
“Excellent experience with Hiro San”
It was a pleasure to tour the city through Hiro San’s eyes. He was very patient and adjusted the pace of the tour as per us. Quite knowledgeable and jovial Regards Amandeep
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Amandeep-san, Thank you very much for your compliment. I am much encouraged and given an energy to do a better job from tomorrow. Wish your entire family an excellent health. Regards, Hiro
James H.
“Great day with Hiro-San”
Absolutely one if the highlights of our trip to Japan. Our guide Hiro was fantastic. Can’t praise him enough. Hiro was patient and kind with our mixed group of 11. Hiro was so forthcoming with his knowledge. I can not say enough good things about this wonderful man. Jim H
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi James-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. I am glad you and your loved ones spent a wonderful day with the tame deer in Nara. That`s the best reward for me. Wish you all a better health and a happier life ahead. Regards, Hiro
$139/ per group
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