Expert tailormade Osaka tours & day trips that show you more!
My private tours of Osaka, self-guided or guided by a licensed guide, and planned by an expert, take you into the amazing worlds of this city, which served as Japan's first Imperial Capital, under the name Naniwa, in 645 AD and then again in 744 AD. Osaka is an incredible city if you know what to do and what not to do.
My most popular Osaka guided private tours (since 1990): Osaka Old & New tour: My most popular Osaka tour begins in the Kuromon Ichiba Market in the morning and then takes you through the oldest surviving parts of the city, partially by boat on the canals, and then focuses on the ultra-modern worlds of Shinsaibashi and Umeda. Osaka Foodie & Shopping Zone: Osaka is a foodie paradise and my Southeast Asian clients really love experiencing street food and the underground dining complexes of the city and of course the shopping zones are of great interest. Nara Park Perfections & Horyuji Buddhist Beginnings: This tour begins or ends with a visit Horyu-ji Temple, home to the oldest wooden buildings in the world, including the temple's excellent museum, and ends or starts in the timeless splendor of Nara Park (Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Shrine, Imperial elegance). Osaka Nightlife Adventures: Osaka is an incredible place to see lots of people spending lots of money on food and entertainment. This night tour walks you through the best of Dotonbori, Kita Shinchi, Shin Sekai, and Abeno Harukas. Kyoto Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine & Gion night walk: This very popular tour begins with an after dark stroll through the vast sacred precinct of Fushimi Inari and its tunnels of orange torii gates and ends with a two-hour back lane stroll through the exotic geiko maiko worlds of the Gion district.
Osaka private day tours & trips: walking & hiking tours & more
Our popular 1-day and multi-day custom day tours from Osaka let you experience the best of Japan including Kyoto, Nara, Horyu-ji Temple, Himeiji Castle & Kurashiki, Hiroshima & Miyajima, Shiga & the Miho Museum, Mount Hiei & Enryaku-ji Temple. Experience the amazing worlds old worlds of Japan that are just next door to or an hour or two from Osaka.
You choose what you want and I create the design you need. Osaka and its surroundings are exceptionally rich in high-value destinations if you know what to do and what not to do. I know what you need to know to have a really great time in and around Osaka from start to finish.
My most popular day trips and 1-day tours from Osaka: The Wonders of Nara: This very popular tour includes the very best of world famous Nara Park and, if of interest, the oldest wooden buildings in the world in the Horyu-ji Temple complex. Himeij & Kurashiki Splendors: The White Egret Castle of Himeiji is considered to be the finest in Japan for good reason and the museum and kura storehouse lined canals of Kurashiki are stunning and relaxing. North Kyoto Countryside Village Hike: This 3-village hike (Ohara, Shizuhara, Kurama | Kibune) is a real adventure at any time of year and can be designed to include outdoor hot spring bathing and incredible lunch locations.Hiroshima WWII History & Seaside Miyajima Shrine: If you are interested in WWII, then Hiroshima is the place to go. The Peace Museum and surrounding park are excellent places to learn about the explosive end of WWII. Nearby Miyajima and its stunning seaside shrine leads you into an ancient world that always amazes. Shiga Old Edo & Modern Miho Museum Tour: Shiga is just east of Kyoto and offers 18th century Tokaido highway structures, Shigaraki ceramics and the world class Miho Museum designed by I.M. Pei. Mount Hiei Hiking & Spiritual Tour: Mount Hiei guards the northeast corner of Kyoto. The northeast is known as the Devil’s Gate and the sprawling Enryaku-ji Temple complexes were built to repel evil entering from the northeast. There is so much to see here: history, nature, spiritual wonder.
Please enquire for other day trips (nearby hot spring towns full of spas, the Tango Peninsula & Amanohashidate, Northwest Lake Biwa Boat Cruise & Hiking Tour) and other themes of interest (handicrafts, tea ceremony, old street markets and affordable and not so affordable luxury settings). I love to help my clients experience the Japan they have been dreaming of . . .
I offer Osaka local private day trips & tours that begin very early in the morning (2-hour dawn picnics; usually self-guided; please inquire) and really creative 4-hour guided night tours that introduce tourists and visitors to the interesting (family safe) after dark worlds of Osaka (Dotonburi, Kita Shinchi, Abeno) & Kyoto (Gion, Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine) featuring street food, shrines and stunning night views.
And don't forget my Highlight Osaka Private Tours: My Osaka private tours are a great way to learn about Osaka's unique culture, famous for food and bright color fun day and night. All of these custom day trips or tours can be part of your Osaka vacation or trip. Let me know how I can help today!
My Osaka tour guides are knowledgeable, friendly, flexible and trained to follow the final itinerary approved by you and your family or group. Local bilingual guides add value to your trip through their personal insights and interesting cultural knowledge. They are also great introductory teachers and can teach you important logistical information (how to use the ticket machines and the almost-perfect Osaka public transportation system) and answer any important questions you may have.
Guided tour FAQs (start time and location; itinerary design; expenses; tips . . .). Self-guided tour FAQs (design; delivery; types; expenses . . .).
Related: Kyoto | Tokyo area private guided tours & day trips
Custom, expert Kyoto guided private tours: High-value, creative tour itineraries focused seeing the Ancient Capital without the crowds. Private tours & day trips departing from Kyoto: To Nara, Shigaraki | Miho Museum, Himeji Castle, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Osaka.
Custom, expert Tokyo guided private tours: High-value, creative tour itineraries focused the best of the new & the old and everything in between! Private tours & day trips departing from Tokyo: To Kamakura, Hakone | Mount Fuji, Nikko, Izu Peninsula.
Guided tour FAQs (start time and location; itinerary design; expenses; tips . . .). Self-guided tour FAQs (design; delivery; types; expenses . . .).