1-Day walking tour in Osaka：Castle, temples and Ukiyoe

When thinking about travelling to Japan, Tokyo is usually the first choice. This is very easy to understand as it is the capital of Japan. But the next place to consider would be Osaka. Among many other prefectures in Japan. Why Osaka? 

First, let’s look at the differences from Tokyo. Although both are large metropolises, Osaka has a friendlier, more relaxed atmosphere than Tokyo. Osaka is Japan’s second smallest prefecture after Kagawa. Its population represents 7% of the entire nation, making it the second most populous prefecture after Tokyo. This means less crowds even during peak travel seasons.

Osaka is of course famous for its amazing street food. More than that, it is also known as “Japan’s Kitchen”. The reason for this is that during the Edo period, it supplied daily necessities such as soy sauce, oil, and alcohol to other places in Japan. Nowadays, Osaka is a city that has taken Japanese cuisine to new heights through culinary development and innovation.

Osaka is not just about food. It is home to diverse art and museums, cutting-edge architecture, a vibrant nightlife, friendly comedy-loving locals, and countless shopping options.

Join us and experience this colourful place for yourself.

Highlights

• This is a walking tour that covers not only Osaka’s famous sightseeing spots, but also hidden wonders. We will guide you around the city and show you the city treasures.

• We will not only show you around the city, but also tell you about its history and culture. We will do our best to help you understand this city more deeply.

• It is also a tour where you can learn about and actually experience the traditions of Japanese art that have been passed down since ancient times.

Description

Our journey begins at 09:00 at Shin-Osaka Station or 09:25 at JR Osaka Station. The first destination is Osaka Castle. We will enter the Osaka Castle Museum and learn about the history of Osaka and the castle itself. The castle was completed in 1597, but was destroyed many times. It was finally rebuilt by the Japanese government in 1995. The castle is a little different than when it was originally built.

After spending some time in and around the castle, we will head to Shitennoji Temple. It is the first Japanese Buddhist temple in Japan. Here you can see how Buddhism travelled from India to China and eventually landed in Japan thousands of years ago. We will learn some very interesting stories here.

Having the entire morning learning about Osaka’s ancient history, we will experience Osaka’s bustling life from our next destination. Let’s start with lunch! We are going to Kuromon Market. It is one of Osaka’s leading food markets. Approximately 150 stores selling fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, food and beverages, clothing, etc. are lined up in an area approximately 580 metres south of Sennichimae.

Once you have had your fill of delicious food, we will head to a unique shrine around the area. And we will spend some time in the famous Dotonbori area. The symbolic business and downtown area of Minami, Osaka, is lined with huge three-dimensional billboards. It is not just about eating again if you are still not full. Here you will also have a traditional Japanese art experience, Ukiyoe. The earliest ukiyoe works were found in the 1670s and flourished from the 17th to the 19th century. It has now become one of the representative images of Japan.

After spending a fulfilling time in the Dotonbori area, it is almost time to say goodbye. Our final destination is Shinsaibashi. This is a popular shopping street in Osaka that has a long history as a regional commercial centre. There are not only Japanese local shops but also many overseas shops. Along the way, we will pass the famous billboard in Osaka and you can pose and take photos!

We will return to Shin-Osaka Station or JR Osaka Station together to say goodbye. However, if you would like to spend the rest of your day in the city centre, you are more than welcome. We will do our best to help you have a wonderful time in Osaka.

TOUR MEETUP POINTS

Meeting Point 1: Shinkansen Shin-Osaka Station @ 09:00

You can see us immediately after exiting the Shinkansen Shin- Osaka Station central gate. We are waiting between the Coffee Shop and the ticket machines, in front of the directory. We will be holding up a sign that says “Snow Monkey Resort.”

Meeting Point 2: JR Osaka Station @ 09:25

You can see us immediately after exiting the JR Osaka Station central gate. We are waiting in front of the Travel Service Center OSAKA, between the Currency Exchange and the ticket machines. We will be holding up a sign that says “Snow Monkey Resort.”

NOTES

• The times listed in the itinerary are for reference only and the actual tour may vary depending on actual conditions such as weather and trains.
• This is a walking tour that takes you outdoors for hours. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing. Please bring sunshade and rain protection if necessary.
• If you feel uncomfortable during the tour, please let us know. We will do our best to help you.
• This tour includes free time. We will make sure you know when and where to meet again. If you get lost or forget your meeting point, please call us immediately.

Included

• Entrance fees for each spot during the tour
• Train tickets required for the tour 
• Ukiyoe experience fee
• Guided tour with an English speaking guide

Excluded

• Food and drinks
• Train tickets before and after the tour