Private Tour
Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Kickstart your day or night Osaka walking adventure with this tour featured on Channel 5 British TV on the hugely popular series "Jane McDonald In Japan", chosen for its "genuine, quirky & unfiltered snapshot of Osaka".
Your local insider guide will pair every location with personal stories & historical info with quirky facts and a great dose of enthusiasm & humour:)
You get to choose from private totally customized tours OR a group tour.
Slip through Namba: hole in the wall bars/eateries, as well as Kuromon seafood market. (If you want lunch/dinner after the tour, we'll recommend delicious local restaurants too)
The retro district will share its charm with wacky game palors & friendly vendors while the Dotonbori will provide a sensory overload, billboards galore!
Osaka Castle will also showcase it's immense role in Japan's unification (only 5hr or 7hr tours)
After, explore hidden cobblestone alleys uncovering a centuries old collection of stores crafting their unique designs.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Flexible tour duration: 3, 4, 5, or 7 hours
Walking tour with optional train or taxi use if requested
1 drink and 1 small side dish (usually 1 takoyaki ball)
Private personalized tour or group tour
Entry fees to attractions
Transport costs (if not included in requested route)
Food and drinks beyond the small included snack
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Hozenji Yokocho
These hard to find winding, cobblestone alleys steeped with character & tradition is remarkable . We'll also find walls painted with Osaka's history etched into it.
Dotonbori Tsuribori
Visiting Osaka's Dotonbori River is a must.....one of our highlights. Along side this picturesque scene is a treasure trove full of more than a variety of stores to entertain you.
Options
Private 3hr Kickstart Tour
Pickup included
Private 5hr Exploration Tour
Pickup included
Private 7hr Expedition Tour
Snack: Small serving of Takoyaki (Osaka's most famous food)
Pickup included
Group Tour Option (3hrs)
Private 4hr Discovery Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
1,215 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An essential tour to get the lowdown on Osaka
Georgi M,
Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00An essential way to start a trip in Japan is with someone who lives and works in the city. Our guide Mari was a wealth of information, and gave us lots of tips and tricks to enjoying Osaka. As 3 of our family members didn't eat seafood, we skipped the Kuromon (sp) market and went to Osaka castle, passing a santa parade, makers market, and shrines. Then we caught the metro to Namba and perused the streets of Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. Mari gave us some excellent restaurant recommendations, and also took us to her favourite kushikatso restaurant. Flexible and a lot of fun, I highly recommend Mari as your guide to Osaka. Travelling with teens 19 and 17
Friendly and Chill tour
C3809EDtommasom,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an interesting and relaxing experience. The highlight of the tour was our guide, Stephanie. We appreciated her chill and friendly attitude. She helped us get into japanese culture a little bit more, more than anyone could expect from a short introductory tour.
Fascinating introduction to Osaka
chloem77777,
Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was a great introduction to the city for our first day in Osaka! Our guide Mario was incredibly knowledgeable about the area and took us to areas of Osaka we would never have found by ourselves. This tour is a great way to learn about lesser known places and details of Japanese culture!
Great introduction for our first day in Osaka
Venture24283499036,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the 3 hours experience and were lucky to have a private tour. It was incredibly interesting and fun with many interesting insights and tips for our stay. After the tour ended, our guide even showed us the way back to a restaurant that we chose during the tour for our lunch. I would 100% book this tour again.
Perfect First Day in Osaka Introduction
TamraM982,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We are a family of four; 2 adults and 2 teenagers [16yrs and 17yrs]. Met our tour guide Paul at designated location which was walking distance from our accommodation at &Here Namba Osaka. Paul was super engaging, very friendly and a great tour guide. Tour was interesting and a perfect pace. Paul went out of his way to make sure we were all happy and enjoyed our day. 3 or so hours was the perfect length of time to get an overview of Osaka - with some interesting stories and anecdotes along the way. Highly reccomend.
Great experience
Qi Z,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide is from Mexican City but lives in Japan for over a decade. He knows the area inside out and told us so many stories only locals will know. Definitely recommend it.
Lives up to the name, brilliant intro to a pulsing city
O4225SPsophiam,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the late afternoon tour with Knox. Had a brilliant time - Knox was really engaging and the route lived up to its name! The spots we went to felt personal to Knox but didn't miss out some of the highlights of central Osaka that first time visitors must see and learn about. 10/10, we'll keep an eye out for more tours from this small company- thank you for a great intro to the city!! 🤩
Bennet was a fantastic...
Nadya P,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Bennet was a fantastic guide!! We had the best day exploring Osaka with him! I would recommend this tour!
Osaka adventure
Jodie K,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Tommy was brilliant. We saw the amazing views of the Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori District. He had great knowledge of the history of the area, especially of the castle and was a great start to our trip.
Great intro to Osaka
623michellep623,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fun time with Knox, getting a taste of Osaka, some great tips and background information. Knox is full of energy and great company. 3 hours flew by, and is a great tour timing for families. If you’re all adults, I’d suggest booking the longer tours.
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Operated by Osaka Food Tours