Book a private tour of Osaka with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide to explore the city’s most fascinating districts. Our guides are friendly and patient with children so feel free to bring your young ones and teenagers!
Osaka Castle © hetgacom
The Tour Itinerary
- Osaka Castle visit with a good view of the castle from a Japanese garden
- A ride on the Aqualiner to Yodoyabashi and then subway to Namba
- Visit the Doguyasuji arcade, Osaka’s kitchen supply street
- Walk through the famous Dotombori.
- Stop at a small historical temple, Hozen-ji
Your Own Private Tour Guide
This is a private walking tour, for just you and your friends and family. There will be no one else on the tour with you, so you have the guide to yourself. Our English-speaking guides will help you maximize your time and enjoyment of the city and also give you a deeper understanding of the history and significance of each place you visit. The tour price is for the whole group, not per person!
- Time: 6 hours
- Cost: ¥42,000 for 1 to 10 people per private group. The cost is NOT per person; these rates are for the entire group
- Highlights: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori area, and shotengai (covered shopping arcades)
- Ideal starting time: 9am (walk concludes at 3pm)
Dotombori Area © 43423301@N07
How To Book A Osaka Private Walking Tour
Please send us an inquiry using the form below. We will then quickly respond to you by email confirming availability and any other requirements you may have.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Hire A Private Guide?
You don’t need a guide to enjoy Osaka, but having a guide will add a lot of depth to your understanding of the city. A guide will also free you from having to think about the logistics of getting around and making the most efficient use of your time. A guide can also help you enjoy local restaurants without any communication difficulties.
Who Runs These Tours?
These tours are operated by Personal Japan Tours, which has been running tours in Japan for five years.
Is The Price Per Person?
No! This is the PER GROUP price, i.e., it’s the price for a private group of 1 to 10 people. If there is one person booking a 6-hour tour, the price is ¥42,000 total. If there are 10 of you, the price is still ¥42,000 (making it much cheaper per person). The tour group is private. That means there is only you and your family or you and your friends on the tour and no one else. Please note that we do NOT put different individuals or groups together, even upon request.
Do I Get A Discount If We Are Less Than 6 People?
The price is for a private group for 1 to 10 people. There are no discounts if there are less than the maximum number of people.
How Do I Pay For My Private Osaka Walking Tour?
Payment is in Japanese yen cash only at the start of the tour.
Can I Cancel A Tour After Booking It?
You can cancel a tour with no penalty up to 48 hours before the scheduled start of the tour. If you cancel between 24 and 48 hours of the scheduled start, we charge you 50% of the price of the tour. Cancellations made fewer than 24 hours from the scheduled start of the tour incur a full 100% charge.
What's Not Included In The Tour Price?
The tour fee covers the price of the guide. Transport to and from the tour and during the tours, drinks and snacks along the way, and transport during the tour are not included in this price. Please note that your guide will join you for lunch and we ask that you cover the cost of the guide’s lunch and their transport during the tour (usually a minimal expense).
How Do We Meet With Our Guide?
For those using JR Passes or bullet trains to Osaka:
At 9:30am at the Central Exit (Shinkansen Chuo-guchi) of Shin-Osaka Station (Osaka’s bullet train station), just outside the ticket turnstile by the booth where the station staff is.
For those staying in Kyoto city center area:
At 10am at the Hankyu-line Umeda Station (by the JR Osaka Station). Please take Hanky-line from Kawaramachi Station in Kyoto departing at 9:09am and arriving at Umeda Station at 9:53am. At arrival at Umeda Station, walk to the very front of the train you get off and you will see the large exit with ticket turnstiles. Please wait just before you go out the ticket turnstile in an open space by a store.
For those staying in Osaka:
At 9am at lobby of Hotel Granvia Osaka at JR Osaka Station, in front of the Front Desk. (Upon request, you can be picked up at your hotel if the hotel is in Osaka City. However, if you are staying at an AirBnB, a vacation rental or a private home, please come to Hotel Granvia Osaka.)
Will My Guide Speak Fluent English?
The guides all speak English and most have studied for some time abroad. They have all passed the Japan National Guiding License, which includes a very strict English language section.
Do We Stop To Eat?
We eat at a local restaurant famous in Osaka. Please enjoy choosing a restaurant with our guide. Okonomiyaki lunch is certainly recommended if you are in Osaka!
Where Can I Rest Along The Way?
Please do not feel that you have to walk at a certain pace for the entire tour. Or, for that matter, that you have to walk the complete distance or even finish the tour. Because these are fully private tours, you can rest as often as you wish. And, if you tire of walking, you can always jump in a taxi or on a subway.
Is It Easy To Find A Restroom?
Restrooms are very easy to find in Japan. Almost all attractions like temples have them, as do parks and restaurants.
What Happens At The End Of Our Tour?
The tour will end at a place in Osaka convenient for the rest of your afternoon. Your guide can give you advice about how to spend the rest of the day or how to get back to your lodgings.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Osaka's Kansai International Airport. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with the Japan Rail Pass – here's why it's worth it
- Get a prepaid Icoca card to make travelling around Osaka easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
