This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.

Tour Itinerary

  • 10:00 Meet up @Hotel Plaza Osaka
  • 10-45-12:15 @Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
  • 12:30-13:30 @Osaka Museum of History
  • 13:50-14:05 @Dotonbori
  • 14:20 Disband @Osaka Umeda Station

Tour Itinerary in Detail

This private tour of Osaka began at 10:00, when the guide met the guests at @Hotel Plaza Osaka, and finished at 14:20. The day ran to 4 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish.

From there the group visited Osaka Museum of History at 12:30 and Dotonbori at 13:50.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Juso to Osaka Umeda by train (170JPY); Higashi-Umeda to Tanimachi 4-chome by subway (240JPY); Tanimachi 4-chome to Namba by subway (240JPY); Namba to Umeda by subway (240JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 890JPY per person.

Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, scheduled to fly home from Kansai International Airport on the evening of the tour day. At the guests' request the day before, the start time was moved up by one hour to 10:00. At the start of the tour, due to the ongoing heat and travel fatigue, the guests requested indoor sightseeing, so the plan was quickly changed from Shitennoji Temple to the Osaka Museum of History. As the group had varied interests, I was concerned about whether everyone would be satisfied, but I was relieved when they told me they had enjoyed Japan right up until the very last moment before their departure. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainJuso~Osaka Umeda170JPY
Section 2SubwayHigashi-Umeda~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
Section 3SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Namba240JPY
Section 4SubwayNamba~Umeda240JPY
Total890JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Osaka tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at @Hotel Plaza Osaka at 10:00, and the tour finished at @Osaka Umeda Station at 14:20.

How long does the tour last?

About 4 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 14:20.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Osaka Museum of History and Dotonbori.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 890JPY per person across 4 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.

Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?

Sachiko is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?

Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Osaka itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.

I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

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