Top Osaka Prefecture Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

If you are staying in Osaka but would like to take some time out to enjoy some sights outside the big city, then this Kyoto tour is for you! Our government-licensed, experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently spend a half-day, four-hour tour exploring Kyoto, introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient city. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Osaka, or anywhere else at your convenience, and will take you to a number of Kyoto's famous spots. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will arrange a tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Andy(Japanese Aust.) & Mike(American, Japanese wife), your local insider guides, will kickstart your Osaka adventure discovering both the highlights & secret spots. We'll 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 group tours (mixed with other guests). Slip through the non-touristy bar/restaurant zones of Namba and even get a glimpse of a Yazuka club house! Shinsekai, the retro district, will share its charm with wacky game palors & friendly street vendors. Check out a traditional fish market where top chefs continue to shop today. Osaka Castle will showcase it's immense role in the unification of Japan in 16th century. After, explore the hidden cobblestone alleys uncovering a centuries old collection of stores crafting their unique designs. Be prepared for a sensory overload as we navigate larger than life billboards situated in Dotonbori.

Discover both modern and traditional sides of history-rich Kyoto during this full-day private tour. Travel like a local by public transportation as you tick off the city’s most celebrated sights, from UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle to the well-preserved neighborhood of Higashiyama and streets of Gion, otherwise known as Kyoto’s Geisha district.

Here we offer a luxurious tour in the afternoon that enables you to visit three of the most iconic tourist attractions in Osaka after spending a leisurely morning or getting rid of your jet-lag. Osaka has thrived as a capital of samurai lords and merchants through centuries and you can feel its history and culture when you visit here. We will get a commanding view of the city from the 8th floor balcony on top of Osaka castle, in the same way as samurai lords did when overlooking their fief. As Osaka is renowned for its unique food culture, it is known as ‘Japan’s Culinary Capital’. Through this tour, you will encounter plenty of delicious local food including Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and lots more which originated in this hustle-bustle city.

Hire your own private driver to take you around the Osaka or Kyoto regions for the day. Customize your own itinerary with your driver and see the attractions that are of most interest to you such as the Osaka Castle, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and the Kiyomizu Temple. Select an English-, Chinese-, or Japanese-speaking driver and learn about the history of each location.

Exploring Osaka without the crowds during this tour for early risers. Departing from Namba Station, you join a guide for an early morning walking tour. Enjoy several main attractions, such as Dotonbori, Shinsekai, and Shitennoji—plus panoramic views from the top of Osaka Castle. This itinerary leaves you with a full day to make other plans.

Access 4G LTE WiFi across Japan with this pocket router that connects to the Softbank Network. With Unlimited WiFi data, you'll be able to use Maps, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, watch Youtube videos and more on the go. Just visit Kansai International (Osaka) Airport, Terminal 1 and you will be able to start using the Internet as soon as you have landed.

We will discover together a mount and its surrounding in this tour. The Mont Ikoma is unknown by tourists and is a peaceful place 20 minutes from Osaka city by train. It is worth a one day trip. Nature, retro urban and attractions are waiting for you!

Take a break from the modern city of Osaka and be immersed in the world of the Edo-era samurai. This unique experience includes an overnight stay at a rarely visited temple where you can practice the art of the samurai warrior and the discipline of Zen meditation. Three hearty meals are included along with round-trip transport by rail, making it a convenient and serene getaway without the crowds.

Traveling internationally can be exhausting and stressful. With this convenient meet-and-greet service at Kansai International Airport, start your trip to Japan off on the right foot. Your personal, English-speaking assistant meets you in the Arrivals hall of the airport, helps you obtain your Japan Rail pass, and sees you to your taxi, train or bus for a hassle-free arrival in Osaka.

At the beginning, we'll introduce ourselves over a cup of coffee or tea or beer (it depends on your local time and mood!). I'll give you some quizzes about Osaka as an ice break. Then we'll have 【Survival Japanese lesson】using my original handout. Actually my guests call it cheating sheet, and I like that;-P ・Self introduction ・Greetings ・Shopping ・Restaurant ・Trouble shooting and so on, you can learn a lot of practical phrases and expressions in a fun way! I'm sure it'll be very helpful when you visit Japan in the future;-) it's very handy and pocket-sized, don't forget to bring it with you when you come to Japan♡ I'll share traveling tips such as good restaurants, shopping for souvenir, sightseeing spots etc... Also I'll introduce you some Japanese customs / culture so that you don't have trouble when you are here. If we have time I'll make free talk time in the end, enjoy chatting with other guests and feel free to ask me about Osaka, Japan or about me!;-P

Explore the Osaka or Kyoto regions in your private Hiace car with an English-speaking driver. Customize your own itinerary with your driver to fit the interests of you and your group. See key landmarks such as the Osaka Castle, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and the Kiyomizu Temple. Learn about the history of each location and get insider tips from your driver.

Sakura (cherry blossom) viewing is a popular Japanese pastime in spring. Experience your own hanami (blossom viewing picnic) on this fun small-group cycle tour. You’ll meet your guide at JR Ibaraki station and set out for the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. En route, stop at a cooking studio to prepare your own bento lunch box for your picnic. At the park, sit under the cherry trees and enjoy your meal.

A perfect spot to view the stunning Fuji Mountain. And visit Oshino Hakkai, a touristy set of eight ponds in Oshino on the site of a former sixth lake. We will enjoy a traditional multi-course Japanese Dinner. Enjoy all facilities in the hotel.We will then take a bullet train (Shinkansen) to Kyoto from Osaka. We shall go to the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Kiyomizu-dera. The Imperial Palace of Tokyo - the residence of the royal family.

Select this Half-Day tour of Ibaraki City, a 15-minute train ride from Kyoto, you could focus on the unique Japanese’ values in the countryside. This tour provides a collection of folklore, local history, traditional crafts, and the wisdom of daily life handed down from generation to generation. You can also visit an urban dam under construction and an authentic temple. A stop at the remote elementary school in the mountainous area and a short walk along the rice field are included. A good fresh air will refresh you. Another highlight of this tour is to visit a special village of the Hidden Christians who had believed in hiding for 250 years. The descendants tell you their history, cultures, and values that exist in their hearts. Tasty homemade rice crackers will be served. This tour travels by taxi to save your time and energy. Please enjoy this tour with heart-warming stories from your guide.

Let's hang out with us tonight in Osaka back street! We will take you to Japanese local restaurant and bar, “Izakaya”. And you can experience bar hopping like local salary persons, we call it “Hashigo-zake”. You can find real Japanese drinks, skewered chicken and everything! You may know about "Namba" where is the south central city in Osaka. This is one of the famous place for tourists, but there is much deeper spot, called "Ura-Namba" This is the hideaway for local people so the guide book might not really mention yet! There are a lot of local Izakaya on the street in Namba. Here is the best spot for bar hopping in Osaka. We can go at least 2 Izakaya, and one more bar or street food stand or Japanese sweets shop. We will choice the place as you like and our recommendation! Many retro Izakaya still remain in this area, they don't have English menu but don't worry! You have local supporter, we will help you and give you unforgettable memories!

Discover the Japanese city of Sakai on two wheels. This small-group bike tour takes you to the city's highlights at a leisurely pedaling pace so that you can soak up the sights and atmosphere. Your guide will fill you in on the history of Sakai as you visit such landmarks as the UNESCO-listed mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku, the Sakai Municipal Machiya Historical Museum Yamaguchi Residence, and a knife shop where you can buy an authentic souvenir.

Kishiwada in Osaka is a city with a rich history, accessible from Kansai International Airport in 20 minutes. It was developed as a castle town in the 17th century and developed into the region's central city. Along with Osaka Castle, it is one of the few castles in Osaka with a castle tower. Walking around the city, you can still see the old streets and traditional architecture, which shows the métierge of the past. Kishiwada is also famous for the Danjiri Festival, where floats are pulled through the streets, attracting around 500,000 visitors every year when the festival is held. This tour introduces the highlights of Kishiwada, a town with such history and traditions, all at once. Enjoy the local castle town culture, which you cannot experience in Osaka City.

The area between Shinsaibashi and Namba, known as Minami, is one of Osaka's most popular shopping districts. It has hundreds of years of history where geisha gather. It is also famous as a drinking district, where people from all over the Kansai region gather at night. In this tour, your tour guide will introduce you to some of the best restaurants in the back streets and alleyways that only the locals know. You will be sitting close to other customers, so you'll have a great time talking to the locals. You can visit the bar beside the temple to enjoy whiskey, and enjoy cruising through Minami's nighttime cityscape and the classic ramen as a last meal on the day.

One sweet of your choice included. Then, visit the Sakai City Craft Museum and discover what this city is famous for. Finally, get the privilege to step into a real knife factory, with over 100 years of history, where the raw blades arrive directly from the Blacksmith. Visit the Sharpening Station and the main office. Observe the blades being turned into proper handmade cooking knives. Learn and practice the traditional Sharpening technics with a professional and get the chance to order your own customizable knife that you can watch being made in front of you. Isn't it amazing?.... We sure think it is!

Do you like nature? We have good place for you which is one of the greatest waterfall in Japan! You may think that Osaka is big city, but there are scenic nature as well. It’s just 30mins away from the centre of Osaka, you can feel Japanese four-seasons with colorful nature. The hiking road is almost flat so it’s also good for senior people or children. You might see wild animals such as birds, butterflies and monkeys! It takes 40mins one way on foot but you won’t be bored with talkative guide. And you will get a local snack souvenir which shaped cute maple reef. Let’s feel nature together!

The Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage route that has been visited by numerous people, including members of the royal family, since ancient times. Because of its historical value, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Kumano is said to be the place of resurrection, and people went there to seek salvation. Even today, people continue to make the journey to Kumano, attracted by the natural beauty of the area and the deep historical shrines and temples along the way. There are spots related to the Kumano Kodo that are relatively easy to access from Osaka City and Kansai Airport. You will visit the Senshu area in southern Osaka and walk part of the Kumano Kodo, which flourished as Japan's largest sacred site. Moreover, the area has a history of prospering as an inn town in the Edo period, and you can learn about the history of the road in the Heian and Edo periods in a single tour. This tour is recommended for those who want to enjoy the Kumano Kodo in a short and easy time.

Having flourished as the city of merchants, Sakai city has a lot of traditional crafts, especially kitchen knives are so famous that it is said that all the cooks have at least one of those knives. There are many fans from all over the world who come to buy Japanese kitchen knives, and you will surely find your favorite one in Sakai city among many famous shops! On this tour, your otomo guide will support you and translate what the craftsmen say so that you can find your best one! You will also visit a neighbourhood with traditional houses which are more than 100 years old and a historical building that represents the Japanese architecture! Don’t forget to book your tour!

A private guide will accompany you from Osaka。 If you’re looking to do a trek in Japan, you’re probably considering either the Kumano Kodo, which is in Wakayama (southern Kansai), or the Nakasendo, which connects Tokyo and Kyoto via the mountains of Central Honshu. Since the Nakasendo has become popular in recent years, we find that the Kumano Kodo gives you a more authentic and less touristy experience of the Japanese countryside. The Kumano Kodo is actually a network of several ancient pilgrimage routes that converge on Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, a powerful Shinto shrine in the mountainous heart of Wakayama Prefecture. Hongu Taisha is the most important of three famous shrines known as the Kumano Sanzan. The other two, Kumano Nachi Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha, are both near the eastern coast of Wakayama and are connected to Hongu Taisha by well-traveled pilgrimage routes.