Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Discover Osaka’s retro charm and flavors on a 3-hour Shinsekai & Dotonbori food tour. Begin in Shinsekai, a nostalgic district watched over by Tsutenkaku Tower. Stroll through Jan-Jan Yokocho alley, see the famous Billiken statue, and taste crispy Kushikatsu, Osaka’s beloved skewered delicacy. Step back in time along a “museum-like” food alley, only 1.2 meters wide, filled with artwork and history from over 80 years ago. Visit a hidden temple tucked between Namba’s neon lights for a moment of reflection before diving into Dotonbori—the true heart of Osaka. Known as the “nation’s kitchen” since the Edo period, Dotonbori is the city’s ultimate food hub. Here, indulge in iconic Osaka street foods like Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki while soaking up the district’s vibrant energy. Perfect for travelers seeking history, culture, and local cuisine, this tour blends the flavors of Osaka with its rich past for an unforgettable culinary journey.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or stroller.

All ages are welcome on this tour.

You do not need to cover the cost of the guide’s food and drinks.

Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer temperatures reaching up to 40°C (110°F) and winter lows dropping to -5°C (20°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour.

Gluten-free and Vegan CANNOT be accommodated on this tour.

For a vegetarian course, please choose the option upon booking, or request in advance, by the day before at latest. ※Request made on the tour day cannot be accommodated.

At the Kushikatsu (Deep-fired skewers) spot, dashi (pork broth) is still used even in the vegetarian Kushikatsu. If you're not able to consume dashi, kindly let us know in advanced so that we can prepare other vegetarian dishes.

Please inform us at least one day before the tour if you have any dietary requests or allergies to mention.※ Requests made on the tour day cannot be accommodated. Please kindly understand that we are unable to guarantee allergy-free meals, accommodation of dietary restrictions or the substitutions, as the food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to us.

This tour may visit places where smoking is allowed. Please note that we might not be able to change the tour venues in this case.

Out of respect for all guests and to ensure the best experience for everyone, the tour will start on time. You will not be able to join the tour, receive a refund, or reschedule if you arrive late and miss the group.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

3 drinks (Both alcohol and non-alcohol available)

1 piece of Okonomiyaki (a Japanese pancake-like delicacy with toppings)

1 box of Takoyaki ( a round, fried food made from batter, tender octopus and other ingredients)

6 pieces of Kushikatsu (a Japanese dish of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables)

3 hrs with a MagicalTrip certified local Guide

Transportation fees (190JPY)

What To Expect

Tsutenkaku

Walk through Jan-Jan Yokocho alley& Enjoy Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) With the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower watching over the town, Shinsekai offers a perfect mix of history and local culture. Enjoy crispy Kushi-katsu right in the heart of the neighborhood before making your way to Dotonbori, where the flavors and energy of Osaka truly come alive! 6 pieces of Kushikatsu: Kushikatsu is a Japanese dish of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. (For vegetarian course, pork broth is still used in Kushikatsu) ※Vegan and gluten-free are not available.

30 minutes • Admission Included

Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street

Exploring the Shinsekai Area (Shinsekai Market → Tsutenkaku Tower → Billiken Statue) The "museum-like" alley offers a virtual experience of Osaka's center as it existed over 80 years ago. It's astonishing how much history you can uncover in this narrow alley, spanning just 1.2 meters in width. The artwork adorning the walls creates a unique ambiance, transporting visitors back to bygone days. Exiting the alley, we'll visit a quaint temple nestled between Namba's bright neon signs and bustling shopping streets. Stepping into this temple feels like journeying from the modern era back in time. Taking a moment to delve into Osaka's history provides a brief respite before we proceed to a local Okonomiyaki restaurant in the Dotonbori area!

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Regular Course

Regular course: Vegan/Gluten free is not available. Please add remarks for any allergies you have.

Vegetarian Course

Vegetarian Course: ※Pork broth is still used for Kushikatsu. Vegan/Gluten free is not available. Please add remarks for any allergies you have.

Reviews

4.84

963 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

873

Memorable evening in Osaka
Marco M,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This walking tour was a great introduction to the popular areas and local foods in Osaka. Our guide was very thoughtful and explanatory and his shared insights of the local culture gave us a memorable experience and helped set us up for an enjoyable time in Japan.
Come hungry
WONDERBREADADVENTURE,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a great night with Reiko. She was a pleasure to be around. Informative and attentive. Be sure to come to the tour hungry, cuz its a lot of food.
Wonderful experience. Loved the tour.
A324RSmikee,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Lots of good food and wonderful tour. Well worth the money. Our guide was informative and helpful. Many places seen and enjoyed.
Great time with a local guide
R899RCjustinm,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Mari was a great tour guide she a local who’s really knowledgable about the area, she had a lot of great recommendations outside of the tour spot and was a lot fun to speak to, highly recommend
Awesome food tour!!!
Escape09492358025,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It wasn’t our first time in Osaka, but we decided to take a food tour to experience a local’s perspective because we are a bunch of introverts who would rather pay to interact with a local rather than approach people organically. Fun Fact. Joking aside, it was really fun. Our guide was “T” and he took us to 2 restaurants and a takoyaki place and it was good food. The highlight for our group though was listening to him talk about the history of Shinsekai and Dotonbori, as well as just the cultural exchange of perspectives. Would definitely recommend this tour if this is your first time in Osaka.
Awesome tour!
stephano411,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an amazing food tour with T. He shared interesting information about Osaka’s culture and made the whole experience fun and easy to follow. He also took us through parts of the city that we might not have found on our own. The food was delicious, with a good mix of different dishes, and we were definitely full by the end. The tour felt well planned, relaxed, and enjoyable from start to finish. T is an excellent guide, and we would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Osaka. Thank you, T, for giving us such a great experience!
Osaka Food Tour
jasonn727,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had a fantastic afternoon tasting all that Osaka has to offer with my incredible food guide, Mari. She took me to try all the highlights and even let me customize a few selections based on my own preferences. 5 stars!
Kiwis abroad in osaka
Serena R,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Yuma our guide was so lovely, explaining what we were eating, local knowledge of all the little hidden alleyways and tips for novices was so helpful. Food was deliscious even the octopus balls, i would recommend him as a guide, he was so lovely
Good Tour, We recommand this 👍
laiguno,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We thought Aika was a fantastic guide; she let us sample famous Osaka dishes. It was an experience! She showed us fun places you shouldn't miss in Osaka. She's very sociable and keeps the conversation flowing. She showed interest in everyone who came. Thank you, Aika, for this wonderful evening. Greetings from Dick and Lai Fun from the Netherlands.
Aika is Incredible
Y6311DQchristopherg,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A great way to experience local food. Aika was great at getting us where we needed to be and was helpful in explaining what the food is.