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 4hr Discovery Tour
Pickup included
Group Tour Option (3hrs)
Private 3hr Kickstart Tour
Pickup included
Private 7hr Expedition Tour
Snack: Small serving of Takoyaki (Osaka's most famous food)
Pickup included
Private 5hr Exploration Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
1,164 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Tour
Julie H,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful day in Osaka with Caroline. She showed us so many interesting places and gave us a great insight into the history and culture. A thoroughly recommended tour.
Great tour to start the Osaka vacation
Romero1415,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour to start off our vacation! We had Stephanie as a guide and she showed us my iconic and important parts of the city. She made our tour insightful, fun and funny. We really used her recommended food/drink spots and continue to. 😎 Great Experience
Beautiful Experience
Jonace H,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was awesome! My sister and I are only in Osaka for 1 day and I feel like I’ve seen everything. Brandon was our tour guide and he was great!! This is an absolute must whether you have a short time or a long time. Beautiful experience!!
Very nice experience with...
Wendy W,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice experience with Brian and Paul. They know a lot about the culture and history. We really enjoyed our time with them.
Great brief introduction to Osaka if you have just a few hours
chris,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00We spent a great day seeing the main sites with Caroline who was an amazing guide. Delicious lunch (not included) and a nice easy walk.
It’s a sea of Black hair out there……..
mitchmN3709OK,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00If you only have limited time in Osaka the tour is well worth it. Paul and Nick both had a great sense of humour and were very knowledgeable on the local area. Cheers lads. Great tour. Mitch & Fee
This may be the best tour my wife and I have ever taken!
Jeff F,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00My wife and I feel very fortunate to have had Paul & Nick as our guides. Both gentleman are originally from the U.S. and have lived in Osaka for a number of years. The tour focused on a very managable area of the city and took a total of approximately 4 hours to complete. In that time we were treated to many interesting sights and provided with a wealth of information about Osaka and Japanese culture. Paul provided us with a taste of street food and drinks from one of the ubiquitous vending machines. Both guides shared their extensive knowledge of the city and answered any questions presented to them with competence and humor. My wife and I have taken a variety of tours all around the world and we both feel that this was among the best we have ever been on. FIVE STARS - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
See Osaka by Walking - Kickstart it was
KJ N,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a walking tour - no car transport - we did know this. First Tip: make sure you read your itinerary sent to you as we were asked what we that we would like to see, so make sure you have them marked in order of what is your preference. We were greeted by Marii at the hotel - Marii had a wealth of knowledge of history. We really wanted to see the Osaka Castle which meant a train trip - Marii showed us how to navigate the train system - an invaluable lesson (take small change if you have). We spent more time at the Castle than anticipated (and recommend) but thoroughly enjoy Marii knowledge. The architecture and history stories were memorable. Something to eat where apparently the "no double dipping" has been made famous at this out of the normal place. A stroll to where you see the statue of liberty on top of a building and a little treat of Takoyaki. Our last stop was Dotonbori River - the shopping mega and the famous running man .... our time was up and sent on our way to find our way back home with directions from Marii, nice to enjoy the streets and home safely. Thanks for a great day out and an introduction to Osaka, so much to see and so little time.
Best Osaka walking tour
Janey S,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great English speaking. Lots of details about Osaka, very informative and Maryam was so nice and easy to follow! Would ask for her again.
Osaka walking tour
Iris N,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Nick was very knowledgeable about the city. He bought us a takoyaki for us to try and some vending machine drinks! He was funny and engaging with the group, answering all our questions. The legend of the curse of Colonel Sanders was my favourite bit of information!
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Operated by Osaka Food Tours