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
- 9:00 Meet at Hotel Osaka
- 9:00-10:30 Dotombori/ Hozenji Alley/ Kuromon Market
- 10:30-12:10 Shitennoji Temple(Lunch)
- 12:10-14:20 Move to Osaka Castle and stay there.
- 14:40-15:00 Umeda Sky building
- Around 15:00 End of the tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Dotombori/ Hozenji Alley/ Kuromon Market at 9:00, Shitennoji Temple(Lunch) at 10:30, Osaka Castle and stay there. at 12:10 and Umeda Sky building at 14:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nipponbashi to Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka by subway (190JPY); Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka to Tanimachi 4-chome by subway (190JPY); Osaka Castle Park to Osaka by train (170JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 550JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Dotonbori, Shitennoji, Osaka Castle and Umeda
A travel agency let me know that the guests disliked crowds, so early in the day we passed through Dotonbori and headed to Kuromon Market. Even so, they happily posed for photos in front of the Glico sign. At the Mizukake Fudo in Hozenji Yokocho, they poured water over the statue as well. They seemed to love scenery that felt distinctly Japanese, and at Shitennoji Temple they took many photos of the Jizo statues and the five-story pagoda with a single-lens reflex camera. They were also delighted with photos of themselves together, so I took plenty of pictures for them in beautiful spots. At Shitennoji, one of the guests wanted to eat soba, so we went into a soba restaurant. This restaurant usually has a long wait, and I had thought it would be difficult to get in, but it had just opened at 11:30 and we were able to be part of the first group seated, so we could eat right away. They liked the atmosphere of the restaurant and took photos there. At Osaka Castle they took many photos of the plum grove, and in order to stop by this plum grove we walked a route heading toward Osaka Castle Park Station on the way back. Access to the Umeda Sky Building was also good, so I guided them up to the 39th floor, explained that the 40th floor requires an admission fee and that they did not need to go up, that souvenirs could be purchased on the 39th floor, and that there was also a dining area in the basement, and then we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Nipponbashi～Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka | 190JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka～Tanimachi 4-chome | 190JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Osaka Castle Park～Osaka | 170JPY |
| Total | 550JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Dotombori/ Hozenji Alley/ Kuromon Market, Shitennoji Temple(Lunch), Osaka Castle and stay there. and Umeda Sky building.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 550JPY per person across 3 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?
Yuki 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.
Hi! I’m an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. I’m also a national guide as well. I’d like to expand my guide area to help tourists.
The town of Osaka offers a different atmosphere than Tokyo. I like both exciting Osaka and nature-filled Wakayama Prefecture.
If you stay in Osaka for 3 days, you can go to Koyasan for one day, or even for a day trip, so I recommend sightseeing at Koyasan.
If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, the nature of Koyasan will relax you.
I will introduce you to the unique culture, history and must-see sights.
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Bento-Boxes!
「異文化についての素晴らしい洞察（体験）でした。」
とても親切で、情報豊富な案内でした。さらに、事前に美味しいお弁当まで手配してくれました！