Osaka: Osaka Castle and stay there & Shitennoji Temple — Guide Yuki

December, 2024

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

  • 9:00 Pick up at W Osaka
  • 9:20-11:20 Move to Osaka Castle and stay there.
  • 11:20-11:40 Move to Umeda Sky Building
  • 11:40-13:20 Tour of Umeda Sky Building and dining
  • 13:20-15:10 Umeda Daimaru Shopping
  • 15:20-15:50 Dotombori
  • 16:00-16:20 Shitennoji Temple
  • Around 16:30 End of the tour at W Osaka

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Over the course of the day the route took in Osaka Castle and stay there. at 9:20, Umeda Sky Building at 11:20, Umeda Sky Building and dining at 11:40, Umeda Daimaru Shopping at 13:20, Dotombori at 15:20 and Shitennoji Temple at 16:00.

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

The guests had just arrived in Japan the day before, and the group wanted to buy souvenirs. Even at Osaka Castle, shopping took about 20 minutes longer than planned, and after the Umeda Sky Building the group wanted to visit the Pokémon Center near Osaka Station (inside a department store). Since they were happy to extend the taxi time, shopping took nearly two hours. Some of the guests were interested in cosmetics and wanted not just to buy them but to hear advice from the beauty staff and choose products suited to their skin, so the group split into two, with others shopping for Nintendo goods. After that, they completed the tax refund procedure, and by the time we left the department store, the scheduled end time had already passed. We skipped Kuromon Market and instead went around the area near the Glico sign in Dotonbori. Since Shitennoji Temple had also closed after 4 p.m., we took photos of the temple halls from outside. We hurried toward the end, but the guests said they wanted to see even a little of these two places because they were interested, and they paid the taxi driver (Mr. Matsuda, who was a very kind person) an overtime fee of an hour and a half. The guests were fully satisfied with the extension, and they were delighted to have bought the items they wanted.

Click here for more details: Osaka Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Yuki

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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