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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 9:30 Hotel
  • 10:00 Osaka Castle > Plum Grove
  • 11:30 Kuromon Market
  • 12:30 Shinsekai
  • 13:20 Hozenji Yokocho > Dotonbori
  • 13:30 Tour ends

Tour Itinerary in Detail

From there the group visited Osaka Castle > Plum Grove at 10:00, Kuromon Market at 11:30, Shinsekai at 12:30 and Hozenji Yokocho > Dotonbori at 13:20.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tennoji to Tanimachi 4-chome by Free Pass (820JPY); Osaka Business Park to Nipponbashi by train (0JPY); Nipponbashi to Ebisucho by train (0JPY); Dobutsuen-mae to Namba by train (0JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 820JPY per person.

What's a Private Day Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku, and Namba

The guests were visitors from North America. At Miraiza in Osaka Castle, they enjoyed throwing shuriken, and at Tsutenkaku they took on the slide. They managed to hit the target with the shuriken a few times, and they were pleased with the shuriken souvenirs as well. The plum grove at Osaka Castle was in full bloom, looking very beautiful, and the guests were delighted. At the end, they wanted to do some shopping, so we finished in Namba. Unfortunately, the small alley leading from Hozenji to the main street was under construction and could not be passed through. It was a smooth tour.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassTennoji~Tanimachi 4-chome820JPY
Section 2TrainOsaka Business Park~Nipponbashi0JPY
Section 3TrainNipponbashi~Ebisucho0JPY
Section 4TrainDobutsuen-mae~Namba0JPY
Total820JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Osaka Castle > Plum Grove, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai and Hozenji Yokocho > Dotonbori.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 820JPY 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?

Mimmy 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.

Bye bye smart phone!! Let’s enjoy Japan without bothering to check up your phone all the time with not AI but a local guide like me. Hi, my name is Mimmy. You may think this sounds like a kitten’s name.
I use this nickname because it sounds cute and easy to remember. However,
I actually look rounded, a middle aged woman more like a yellow character of M&Mchocolate, which reminds you of my name easily when you see me.
I was born in Osaka, went to school in Kobe, went to work in Kyoto and married but still live in Osaka. I am a local, native Osakan. My 3 children are all grown up and live separately except one son. Now I live with one son and a husband in suburbs of the Osaka city.
I like travelling, walking around the town and anything new.
I got my guide license in 2017 and started guiding after that. I wasn’t able to work during Covid period but start guiding in 2022 again. I guide Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe and have experienced more than100 tours including bus tours.
I would like to tell you about the itineraries I usually have in each area.
In Osaka, we usually go to Osaka castle, Shinsekai and Dotonbori Namba area.
I think most important part you should see is Dotonbori Namba in Osaka.
This place is vibrant , energetic, full of 3D signs and different from any other place in Japan.
In Kyoto, we cannot see all famous sightseeing spots in one day.
It will be better to visit each area respectively. I recommend guests who come to Kyoto first time to visit East area, Kiyomizu Temple>Sannenzaka>Ninenzaka>Ishibeikouji>Yasaka shrine> Gion area. This area has an atmosphere of traditional old Kyoto. The most Kyoto like places which suit Kimono. You can rent Kimono in a lot of places around here.
The second place I recommend you is West area: Golden temple and Arashiyama area where Bamboo forest , Tenryuji temple, mountains and a river. There are several nice gardens in this area. If you want to enjoy the nature quietly, you
should come here when it is not crowded (Winter is the most quiet)
In Nara which used to be a capital even older than Kyoto, we visit Todaiji Temple where a huge Buddha is sitting inside of one of the largest wooden hall and you can play with deer everywhere in Nara. Naramachi: a small town in this area is a local place where small interesting shops are.
In Kobe, a port city, you can visit Japanese Sake breweries, Herb garden and the top of Mt.Rokko for viewing Kobe city. A small China town is there, too.

Now I bet you want to leave home to explore somewhere else you do not know.
Not only going to somewhere else, we can help you to do several experiences: making tea, making Japanese sweet, making Takoyaki(food), wearing Kimono, making food samples, attending a tea ceremony, throwing Shriken like Ninja, Using bow and arrow like Samurai, , , ,
I am very happy indeed if I can help you find things impressive enough and have once in a life time experience during our tour.
I am looking forward to sharing a good time with you.

Mar 24, 2025
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