GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
Osaka Private Tour - Raft full of festival organizers on board.
Raft full of festival organizers on board.
Osaka Private Tour - "Osaka water-bu"s cruising after dark.
"Osaka water-bu"s cruising after dark.
Osaka Private Tour - "Osaka water-bu"s cruising after dark.
"Osaka water-bu"s cruising after dark.
Osaka Private Tour - Fireworks display (from the `Net picture).
Fireworks display (from the `Net picture).
Osaka Private Tour - View from "Tenma-bashi" bridge.
View from "Tenma-bashi" bridge.
Osaka Private Tour - Sightseeing ship.
Sightseeing ship.
Osaka Private Tour - Amphibious bus.
Amphibious bus.
Osaka Private Tour - "Osaka water bus" approaching the pier.
"Osaka water bus" approaching the pier.
Osaka Private Tour - Passengers getting off "Osaka water bus".
Passengers getting off "Osaka water bus".
Osaka Private Tour - Rafts being towed upstream in the evening.
Rafts being towed upstream in the evening.
Osaka Private Tour - Kawasaki Bridge in the distance after dark.
Kawasaki Bridge in the distance after dark.
Osaka Private Tour - Raft full of kimono-clad guests.
Raft full of kimono-clad guests.
Osaka Private Tour - Raft with buildings in the background.
Raft with buildings in the background.
Osaka Private Tour - Raft with skyscrapers in the background.
Raft with skyscrapers in the background.
Osaka Private Tour - Raft full of kimono-clad guests.
Raft full of kimono-clad guests.
Osaka Private Tour - Raft with festival organizers on board.
Raft with festival organizers on board.
Osaka Private Tour - Raft with festival organizers on board.
Raft with festival organizers on board.
Osaka Private Tour - Raft full of kimono-clad guests.
Raft full of kimono-clad guests.
Osaka Private Tour - Rafts being towed upstream in the evening.
Rafts being towed upstream in the evening.
Osaka Private Tour - Riverside park.
Riverside park.

Tour of Osaka Tenjin-matsuri Festival / Cruising on the river

Nightlife
Osaka Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.

Joined 2014

Tatsuhiro N.
4.60 / 5
(73 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Osaka
Japanese (Native), English
4 hours
Private tour (only you and Tatsuhiro N.)
Up to 15 people

(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!

03:00 PM

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

What‘s included

guide fee, hotel pick-up in Kyoto area

What‘s not included

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
Osaka Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.

Joined 2014

Tatsuhiro N.
4.60 / 5
(73 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

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

Excellent gentlemanly service

Hiru showed my family around Kyoto for a day. It was extremely hot and he tried his best to make the visit as easy as possible for us. We learnt several interesting facts on history, Buddhism, Shintoism and Kyoto itself. I would recommend fully this experience, the only thing I would say is that if you suffer from the heat or periods of standing and walking then this tour could be challenging for you to complete.

Jack H.

Tatsuhiro N.

Hi Jack-san, Thank you very much for giving me a full mark. I am greatly encouraged by your favorable comment and I will keep your advice in mind in my future job. Best regard, Hiro

Premium tour of Kyoto - Wodnerful!

Tatsuhiro was a wonderful tour guide for our first time in Kyoto. Very accommodating and considerate. Tatsuhiro was very informative on the subjects and historical sites we visited. It was a wonderful experience, definitely recommend!

Brandon W.

Tatsuhiro N.

Hi Brandon-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. Nothing is more encouraging and inspiring than receiving a high mark from my customer for the job I have done. I wish you will have enjoyable days ahead. Above all, a good health. Regards, Hiro

Want to Personalize?

$139/ per group

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