Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Overview
Available languages
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.
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!
Options
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.
Regular Course
Regular course: Vegan/Gluten free is not available. Please add remarks for any allergies you have.
Reviews
929 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Eat up. Walk down. Learn a lot.
HenryM S,
Oct 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00Plenty of good and a nice way to get the lay of the land in the more popular area of Osaka. Though had some challenge keeping up with the guide who was walking quite fast. She did share a lot of great insight into Osaka, providing a very lively conversation
Disappointed
Emilie C,
Oct 23, 2025
- Viator
1.00We were very disappointed by this tour. The guide was clearly knowledgeable, but we only got information in response to questions. There was no guiding to speak of. The walks from restaurant to restaurant were fast-paced with no narration or explanation of the areas were walking through.
Needs more restaurants / stalls to sample food
carlyjbb,
Oct 17, 2025
- Viator
2.00We’ve done foodie tours in other countries & found this one underwhelming. We visited 2 places with the option for a 3rd (happy to pass as it was squid balls). I would much prefer sampling smaller portions at multiple locations. The place we attended 2nd was a full meal of one food type, it would be much better to give samples/smaller portions. Also the first place includes 2 x drinks but nobody drank 2 from our group of 6, they should reduce the price to allow 1 drink at this venue? If people want more drinks then they could pay. We did however enjoy walking around Shinsekai & Dotonbori with Kent pointing out places of interest & taking pics for us. I did feel the tour was very slow paced, probably too slow for my liking. Would I do this tour again? No I would do more research to see alternative options with more destinations/food stops.
Mich was an amazing guide and the food was superb
Tony S,
Oct 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00Michiko (Mich) was such a gracious and informative host and guided us to great food but also showed us the sights and gave us historical insights of our tour. Highly recommended and the food was delicious!
Great experience from beginning to end
KerryLanglois,
Oct 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great experience from beginning to end! Our tour guide (Justin) walked us through the busy, crowded night streets and made sure we didn’t miss any important details or great photo ops. The food, like the hospitality, is a definite 10 out of 10. Then, at the end of our tour, Justin took the time to help us navigate through the complicated subway system to arrive safely at our hotel on our first night in Osaka.
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