Photo by Sho: Itami Skypark
Osaka · Private tour

Osaka on foot: castle, canal and street food

From Osaka Castle to the Dotonbori canal, with takoyaki and okonomiyaki along the way. Up to six people, by Osaka Metro and on foot.

Ask for a free quote →See the routes
LengthsHalf day · Full day · Two days
GroupPrivate, up to 6 guests
LanguageEnglish (Japanese on request)
Meeting pointOsakajokoen Station (JR) for the half and full day.
Overview

A city built by its own people

Osaka Castle's main tower was rebuilt in 1931, 266 years after the last one, and the people of Osaka paid for it with their own donations. Inside, a lift takes you straight up to the fifth floor.

Dotonbori is named after Yasui Doton, who started digging the canal with his own money in 1612. You can walk right along the water on the Tombori River Walk.

Takoyaki goes back to early Showa-era Osaka, when street stalls began putting octopus into what they called radio-yaki. Okonomiyaki grew out of yoshoku-yaki from the late Meiji era, and in the 1960s and 70s chain shops sold it as Osaka's own dish.

Highlights

  • Take the lift up Osaka Castle's main tower, rebuilt by public donation in 1931
  • Walk the Dotonbori canal, dug from 1612
  • Graze your way down the 580-metre arcade of Kuromon Market
  • Visit Shitenno-ji, founded by Prince Shotoku in 593 (full day)
  • Eat takoyaki and okonomiyaki in the city they come from
Routes

Pick the length that suits your day

Half day (3 to 4 hours)

The castle in the morning, Minami after.

  1. Osaka Castle main tower15 to 20 minutes' walk from the station, 60 to 90 minutes inside.
  2. Osaka Metro to Nambaa short subway ride across the city.
  3. Dotonbori and Kuromon Marketto finish.

Full day (7 to 8 hours)

Castle, temple, tower and canal, with okonomiyaki for dinner.

  1. Osaka Castle main tower.
  2. Shitenno-jifounded in 593. The central precinct is free on the 21st and 22nd of each month.
  3. Shinsekai and Tsutenkakuthe observation deck needs a timed entry reservation if you'd like to go up.
  4. Dotonbori and Kuromon Marketthen okonomiyaki for dinner.

We finish at Namba Station.

Two days

Pair Osaka with Kyoto.

  1. Day 1the Osaka full day.
  2. Day 2the Kyoto full day: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle and Nishiki Market.
Details

Before you book

Included

  • Sho as your private guide for the length you book, in English (or Japanese, if you prefer)
  • A route planned for your group before the day
  • Food stops checked ahead for any allergies you tell me about

Not included

  • Osaka Metro fares (190 to 390 yen a ride)
  • Osaka Castle main tower (1,200 yen)
  • Shitenno-ji central precinct (500 yen) and the Tsutenkaku deck (1,500 yen), if we go in
  • Food and drinks

Good to know

  • The castle tower is 15 to 20 minutes' walk from the nearest stations. Inside, the lift goes up to the fifth floor.
  • Rain plan: the castle's indoor displays and the covered Kuromon Market.
  • Osaka Castle's main tower is open 9 am to 6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm) and closed from 28 December to 1 January.
  • I look after the day itself. Train tickets, hotels and any entry tickets you want to book ahead are yours to arrange. I'll tell you exactly where and when to meet me.
  • We get around by train, bus and on foot, the same way people here do. I don't drive guests, and I'll show you how the ticket machines work as we go.
Your guide

I'm Sho, and I'll be your guide

Sho, your guide

In January 2011, in my last year of junior high, I left Japan for Brisbane. I stayed until I'd finished university in March 2020. That's nine years of Australian school, uni and part-time jobs.

I speak English and Japanese without any trouble, and I don't get shy around people from other cultures. What I care about most on the day is simple: that you're having a good time.

I'm based in Yokohama. I've been photographing planes since 2009. Since moving back to Japan in 2020, photography has taken me to airports and towns all over the country. Every area I guide is somewhere I've been myself.

I have a serious kiwi fruit allergy (anaphylaxis) and react to some fruit in the rose family. So I check our food stops with the restaurants before the day. If there's anything you can't eat, tell me when you first get in touch.

  • Nine years in Brisbane, from junior high to the end of university
  • Comfortable in English and Japanese
  • Has been to every area on this site
  • Checks food stops ahead of the day
Pricing

Quotes in six currencies

Free quote

Quotes are provided in USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, GBP or EUR, so you can skip the hassle of currency conversion. Other currencies are quoted in USD. Each quote covers your whole group of up to six people. When you send an enquiry, please include your preferred dates and the kinds of experiences you'd like.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is takoyaki OK with food allergies?

Takoyaki is made with flour, dashi, egg and octopus. If any of those is a problem, tell me and I'll plan other food stops.

Can we add Nara?

Not on these routes. For two days, I pair Osaka with Kyoto.

Free quote

Tell me when you're in Osaka

Send your date, group size and anything you can't eat. I'll reply with a route and a free quote.

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More places I can take you

AsakusaShibuyaShinjukuYokohamaKamakura, Shonan & EnoshimaHakoneMt Fuji areaAtamiShimodaKyotoKanazawaFukuoka, Dazaifu & YufuinHaneda AirportKansai's three airportsSapporo

Ask me about other areas.

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