Osaka 1 Day Walking Tour with River Cruise from Osaka or Kyoto
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter. See Osaka, the commercial center of western Japan, on this wonderful 1-day round-trip tour departing from Kyoto! Visit some of Osaka's most iconic sights, and experience both traditional and modern Osaka. Enjoy panoramic views of Osaka at the Floating Garden Observatory at the top of the Umeda Sky Building, which is also popular among international travelers for its unique architecture. Be in awe of Osaka Castle's grandeur. Revel in the superb scenery from the castle tower. Take a riverboat cruise for a breathtaking view of Japan's water city, Osaka.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour uses public transportation with non-reserved seats. Please note that seating is not guaranteed.
As this is a walking tour, please wear shoes and clothing that are suitable for walking. The total walking distance is approximately 6 km [3.7miles].
If the Aqua Liner is out of service due to bad weather, temporary operation suspension, or other operational concerns, the tour will visit the Osaka Museum of History instead.
If the Aqua Liner is unavailable on a Tuesday, when the Osaka Museum of History is closed, refunds of JPY 2,000/Adult and JPY 1,000/Child will be issued by the guide on the tour day.
Vegetarian meals are available and must be requested at the time of booking. If no requests are made, the standard meal will be served.
It's NOT possible to alter the meal plan on the tour day.
Allergy-friendly meals, gluten-free meals, etc. are not available. Customers with allergies and those that would like gluten-free meals should reserve the tour without lunch included (No Lunch plan is available from 2026).
The order of the itinerary and arrival times may differ depending on congestion at destinations or other reasons.
Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with lunch. If lunch is required, please make a booking under the child rate.
An additional JPY 450 must be paid at the location for 4 and 5-year-old children for admission to the Floating Garden Observatory ""Kuchu Teien Observatory"". (As of June 1, 2025)
[From Kyoto, 2025] There will be an accompanying National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter on all sections.
[From Kyoto, 2026] The National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter will wait for customers at Shin-Osaka Station and guide them during sightseeing at Osaka. Customers will be led by an assistant until boarding the Shinkansen at Kyoto Station when heading to Osaka, and will be led by the guide until Osaka Station on the return trip from Osaka. There is no accompanying assistant/guide on board.
Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour.
Photo courtesy of Osaka Castle Museum
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
-only if you choose Wtih Lunch option
National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter fee
Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
What To Expect
Kuchu Teien Observatory
The open-air observatory overlooks the city of Osaka, Awaji Island and Mt. Ikoma. Enjoy panoramic views from 170 meters above the city.
Take a stroll around Umeda where changes continue, such as the opening of Umekita Park in 2024.
Options
With Lunch From KYOTO
Meeting Point: Please meet the guide at Sunrise Tours Desk on B1 Floor of Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit).
Starting point:
JTB SUNRISE TOURS DESK KYOTO, Japan, 601-8003 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, ３１ B1F AVANTI
No Lunch From OSAKA
Meeting Point: Please meet the guide at Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka 9F Lobby
Starting point:
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA, 1-1 Ōfukachō, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0011, Japan
No Lunch From KYOTO
Meeting Point: Please meet the guide at Sunrise Tours Desk on B1 Floor of Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit)
Starting point:
JTB SUNRISE TOURS DESK KYOTO, Japan, 601-8003 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, ３１ B1F AVANTI
With Lunch From OSAKA
Meeting Point: Please meet the guide at Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka 9F Lobby
Starting point:
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA, 1-1 Ōfukachō, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0011, Japan
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing!
Cruiser08839115610,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hey it was a great time! She was lots of fun to talk to and learn things from! I laughed when she got misdirected a couple times, showed us how she is human like the rest of us!
Great Experience
families543,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very kind, friendly and helpful Guide. The tour was interesting with lot of nice places. The Organisation of the tour was perfect.
Great experience!
Fearless54132231790,
Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was worth-it. Our guide, Momo-san, was awesome: she gave lots of details about what we were visiting, but also about Osaka itself, and cared for the well-being of every single individual in the party. The views were outstanding. Would happily recommend it
Great experience!!
F8974NXjacobl,
Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Momo-san was great! She really took extra time to make the trip more enjoyable and personable to each of the people in the party. She gave recommendations and stressed the importance of keeping hydrated and gave constant reminders that she cares more about our health above anything else. The sites we visited were beautiful, the history and sights alone were enough to encourage anyone else to go to this tour!
Excellent tour guide with through knowledge
Ragesh R,
Apr 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Guide MoMo is very friendly, knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. She made sure everyone is comfortable and cared very much for the safety of everyone. She spoke excellent English and very open to all our questions and answered well. She is one of the best tour guide we had in our trip to Japan.
Skip it!
travelveturi,
Sep 26, 2018
- Review from Viator
1.00You can definitely do this tour on your own terms, it only uses public transportation. Basically it takes you to a Ferris Wheel, the Osaka castle and a river cruise. Very simple things you can accomplish with Google maps. It stated moderate walking, however is a lot more than that. Being a walking tour, I thought there were going to be more pinturesque sceneries. I do not recommend this tour.
Stunning view but...
Alby L,
Aug 6, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We went all the way to the top of the castle. The view was stunning but the castle itself was a disappointment. The whole castle is gutted, one stair going up and one coming down with each floor summarizing the Osaka Lord life in the process. I want to walk through every room like a real castle. The castle is only a shell, disappointing.
well organised, good tourist guide, big...
Christos K,
Sep 24, 2017
- Review from Viator
4.00well organised, good tourist guide, big town but with very few things to see.
This was an interesting tour, wear...
Constantin P,
May 29, 2016
- Review from Viator
4.00This was an interesting tour, wear good walking shoes for this one! Our guide was beyond fabulous, she really cared for her group and was very informative, and kind. The castle was beautiful, and the lunch was ok. Overall it was a good day.
Our guide gave us fun insights about...
Breanne K,
Jan 26, 2016
- Review from Viator
4.00Our guide gave us fun insights about Osaka Castle's history and Japanese culture in general. We were impressed with the inside of the castle too - several cool exhibits were in the castle and were very informative, plus they had a nice little gift shop. We felt like the the castle was a bit rushed 50 minutes to see the whole interior was a little fast. The river cruise after seeing the castle was a great way to end the day. Not knowing the area, we were glad to have a guide with us but some adventurous travelers would probably not have too much trouble visiting Osaka on their own, and taking their time more.
From ¥18,300
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