Castle, Korean Market, Ancient Shrine, Amusement Area, Kitchen Street
On this walkabout (and train rides) of Osaka, you’ll visit an interesting variety of sights – a castle, a rabbit-warren marketplace, the oldest Buddhist temple, an even older Shinto shrine, a tiny local eatery, a colourful old amusement area, and more.
We’ll be riding trains, the subway, and a street trolley to get us from one place to another, with some gentle walking in between.
* No payment required at this time. Osaka Day Tours will soon contact you and confirm tour date availability. If your chosen date is available, you will be able to lock in your tour at that time.
Tour Time: 9:00-17:00 (8-hour tour)
Tour Guide: Kevin Riley
Included: All public transportation, entry fees, lunch, and pickup & dropoff at your accommodation in Osaka or arranged meeting place
Standard Osaka Walkabout Tour
- Walk across the bridge and through the massive gates of Osaka Castle, where you’ll learn about the ambitious peasant who became a warlord and built this impressive castle – with the tallest walls of any castle in Japan.
- Wander the rabbit-warren alleys of the Korean marketplace, eye the colourful traditional Korean clothing, and try the tasty chijimi pancakes.
- Visit Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple, enter the central building to witness a prayer service and gaze at the beautiful artwork, and discover the history behind this early Buddhist temple.
- Walk the quiet backstreet with its interesting variety of small shops and a peek inside my favourite spices and sweets shop.
- Ride Osaka’s only street trolley down South to an older part of the city.
- Visit one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan (over 1800 years old) and feel the special atmosphere of this ancient power spot.
- Enjoy a tasty local lunch at a tiny eatery with just three tables, run by a charming older couple who’ll give you a special experience.
- Stroll through the “New World” which was actually new about 120 years ago. This colourful and retro area has much to offer, including one of the first theaters to bring foreign movies to Japan, cork gun and bow and arrow arcades, and standing bars.
- Pray for successful business pursuits at the god of commerce’s shrine and learn about the raucous festival that happens there every January.
- Walk through the kitchen tool street, where you can find everything you need to outfit a restaurant, including the plastic food shop, the beckoning cat shop, and the noren store.
- Stop at the tiny temple in a small cobbled backstreet and splash water on the mossy Buddhist statue to make your wish come true. There’s a story behind this.
- Find the secret “floating world” alley that most visitors to this area walk right on by and never see. Enjoy the artwork that gives you a look into Osaka’s past, as I explain the stories.
- Enter the famed Dotonbori area and marvel at the over-the-top signage, giant crabs, a massive sushi hand, and other extravagance.
* No payment required at this time. Osaka Day Tours will soon contact you and confirm tour date availability. If your chosen date is available, you will be able to lock in your tour at that time.