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

  • 8:30 Meet at the hotel
  • 9:20 Kuromon Market
  • 10:20 Shitennoji Temple
  • 11:50 Osaka Castle
  • 13:40 From Shinsaibashi-suji to Dotonbori
  • Lunch
  • 14:50 Guide to Jump Shop and Pokemon Shop
  • 15:10 End of guide

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

The guide started in heavy rain from the morning. First, we visited Kuromon Market. As the guests had skipped breakfast, they enjoyed sushi, sashimi, wagyu beef, eel, candied strawberries, and taiyaki. At Shitennoji Temple, they were amazed by the realism and beauty of the Nio statues, the Four Heavenly Kings statues, and the Kuse Kannon statue. When I explained that the five-story pagoda has an earthquake-resistant design, they were surprised. At Osaka Castle, since they had just watched the film "Shogun," they checked out the castle, the moat, the stone walls, and the giant stones, and made it all the way up to the top of the main tower on the 8th floor. For lunch, at my recommendation, they ordered okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and simmered beef tendon. They watched the okonomiyaki being made and said the taste was the best! Finally, at the request of some of the guests, I guided them to a shop selling character goods and similar places.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainHaginochaya~Nipponbashi420JPY
Section 2SubwayNipponbashi~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
Section 3SubwayShitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
Section 4SubwayTemmabashi~Shinsaibashi240JPY
Total1,040JPY

My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.

Jul 16, 2026
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A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.

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