Things to do in

Osaka

Enjoy an exciting full-day walking tour of Osaka accompanied by a guide and explore Japan's second-largest city. See the modern and traditional sides of this colorful, dynamic metropolis. Start your day meeting your guide at your hotel, and embark on your customized tour. See Osaka Castle, rebuilt after being destroyed in the sieges of the 17th century. Stroll through Kuromon Ichiba Market amid the booming voices of Osaka merchants. Snack on various local foods. Have lunch in the traditional working class Shinsekai area. Choose your must-see spots, create your own itinerary, and enjoy your own unique Osaka experience. Learn all about your favorite spots from your knowledgeable guide.

Arrive at the LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and marvel at the incredible number of attractions visitors can enjoy with their families. Tour the LEGO® brick factory, attend a LEGO class to learn how to make special LEGO® creations, witness an enormous diorama of the city of Osaka created using LEGO® bricks, and explore the Duplo® playground where smaller children can play safely. Experience a variety of games that stimulate the imagination including a 4D Cinema with special-effects that will make you jump out of your skin in surprise, and the shooting ride “Kingdom Quest” to rescue the captured princess. Japan’s first LEGO® VR Attraction “The Great LEGO® Race” is a virtual reality experience where you are invited to buckle up and go for a ride inside the most incredible, exhilarating, and fun LEGO® race ever created. Immerse yourselves in a LEGO® world racing brick-built vehicles in the hopes of becoming the next Champion. Please note, adults can not enter without a child. Adults (aged 16 and over) must be accompanied by a child (aged 15 and under) in order to enter.

Start the tour with pick up from central Osaka and travel to historic Kyoto. Over the course of the day, you'll be presented with a balanced view of this historic city and its surroundings. The Arashiyama district is the first stop, and it is here where you'll be introduced to Japanese garden and temple design. Tenryu-ji Temple has one of the most outstanding, timeless examples of Japanese gardens surrounding it's simple-but-majestic temple buildings. Then it's time for a walk up through the famous bamboo grove - a photo opportunity not to be missed - before arriving at the entrance to luxurious Okochi Sanso. Here you will try some matcha (Japanese green tea), before exploring the winding paths that connect the buildings, views, and garden areas. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a stroll alongside the river, then have free time for lunch and even a bit of shopping, if you wish. Next, enjoy the atmospheric streets of the Goin district, complete with a gurgling stream and rows of traditional tea house and restaurant buildings.  Not far from the Gion is Fushimi Inari-taisha, arguably the most famous Shinto shrine complex in the entire region. After having a look around you'll end your tour with a visit to the famous Torii gate.

Visit some of Kyoto's most famous cultural sites on this day-long bus tour from Osaka. Hop aboard a comfortable coach and drive to Japan's ancient capital to see the brilliant torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the UNESCO-listed Kiyomizu-dera temple, and the golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji. Kyoto is filled with ancient historic sites dating back to the 6th century. Get dropped off first at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, a Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. Spend time wandering the brilliant paths before heading to your next destination. Arrive at Kiyomizu-dera, one of the most iconic temples in Japan. Take ample time to wander through the temple. Walk across the impressive wooden stage, which juts out from the hillside and was constructed without the use of a single nail. Next, stop at Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion due to the fact that it's covered in gold leaf. Wander through the immaculate gardens surrounding the temple, admiring the original Japanese designs that have been preserved since Ashikaga's time. Finish the day in Arashiyama, which has been a popular nature-viewing destination since the Heian Period. Take a stroll through the cool Sagano Bamboo Forest and listen to the distinct rustle of bamboo leaves as you walk. In the late afternoon, hop on the bus back to Osaka.

Pre-book your entry ticket to the observatory of Osaka's landmark tower, Tsutenkaku. Enjoy the views of Osaka while exploring the tower’s Golden Observatory, Observatory of Light, and Tsutenkaku Garden. Head to the top floor to learn more about the tower and relax with drinks at the café. Golden Observatory (87.5 m)The Golden Observatory is decorated with golden colors and features a golden Billiken statue waiting to be greeted. Observatory of Light (84 m)Osaka people love shining objects, and this floor captures that love. At night, the light observatory on the 4th floor quickly transforms into a disco fever with flashy lighting and mirror balls. Tsutenkaku Garden (26 m)Find a modern Japanese-style "Tsutenkaku Garden" with bamboo fences and stone lanterns, designed with the theme of "wind, light, water, greenery, and heart. The garden will be lit up at night to create a fantastic atmosphere. Top Floor (22 m) and BeyondReach the top floor to learn about the area called "New World" where the tower located. You can see dioramas, videos, and photographs that show how the area looked 100 years ago. Optionally, stop at Cafe de Luna Park to enjoy some drinks (cost not included). If you want to go up to the rooftop, tickets are available at the Golden Observatory (cash). You can purchase tickets to reach some of the tower's special observation platforms. The special outdoor observatory, Tenbo Paradise, stands 94.5 meters above the ground, with an 8.5-meter diameter observation corridor. It is located at the top of Tsutenkaku and has no obstruction to the surroundings, so you can fully enjoy the views.

Start your tour in the the bright and busy Doutonburi area, learn about a Filipino sprinter named Fortunato Catalon who inspired a nation and a company! The lights and sounds of Dotounburi often lead you astray to overly-commercialised restaurants with queues of tourists outside. Instead, take secret alleys toward the hidden areas. Sample Kushikatsu, a local take on Yakitori, and discover a Michelin-rated street food stop for Osaka’s favorite snack – Takoyaki! Head to an Izakaya, or local pub, with seasonal dishes that will intrigue and delight. Enjoy yakitori, sukiyaki, tempura, and a drink. Try a draft beer or Nihonshu (rice wine) with your tasty meal. From there, see a famous building full of hidden unorthodox bars, one after another. Every 5 steps there is a new door with a new adventure to be had. This area gives you the retro, artsy feel of a very hip and unique cluster of bars. Finally, finish off with a tasty local street food dessert! 

This shared shuttle transfer provides service between Kansai Airport and your Osaka city accommodation. The door-to-door service is available either from the airport to the city or in the opposite direction. For arrival transfers, the driver will be waiting to meet and greet you, holding a Cherry Tomato sign. For departure transfers, you’ll be met in the lobby of your hotel or outside your home or apartment accommodation. If the size of the vehicle makes it impossible to enter a narrow street a nearby meeting point will be chosen. Bookings are accepted up to 13 months in advance as well as at the last minute. It is recommended that you book at least 72 hours in advance to ensure that there is plenty of time to process your request. Note that all bookings are subject to availability and confirmation.

Experience Osaka like a resident on a private walking tour with a local host. Get tips on what to see and do, and learn the best ways to get around. Benefit from pick-up at your accommodation and get familiar with your local neighborhood. Discover where to buy groceries or where the best local places to eat are located and much more. Alternatively, meet at a central landmark or intersection to start your walking tour. Venture beyond the usual tourist sites and discover places you would never read about in the guidebooks. Avail of an itinerary that can be tailored to your interests and specific needs. Ride on the public transportation system, at your own expense, if you prefer. Chat with your guide about life in the city and its many traditions. Feel more confident getting around and exploring on your own by the end of your experience.

Access 4G LTE WiFi across Japan with this pocket router that connects to the Softbank Network. Have the router delivered to your hotel or pick it up at the airport. Pick-up services also available in our Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Naha, Shin-Chitose, Fukuoka, Naha, and Shinjuku Airport counters.  The devices can be returned at most major airports in Japan, or via delivery from any hotel, Family Mart, or Lawson convenience stores.

There’s a reason why Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan, but as well as districts that are packed full of tiny local eateries and world class restaurants, the city has an exciting and diverse street food scene. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. To really get a taste of local life, you can’t miss exploring Osaka’s street food culture, and what better way than with a local by your side to take you to the best vendors and food carts where the locals really eat. From delicacies you’ve never heard of such as okonomiyaki, to staples like yakisoba, you will discover all the best dishes and local specialties in Dotonbori. With your local by your side, you'll be able to really experience local life and immerse yourself in the vibrant street food culture. You can try dishes that have been perfected in this city such as oden, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu and takoyaki, sampling them from a food cart recommended by your local. You can get to know Osaka’s food scene as well as the traditional regional and Japanese dishes cooked up and served at all hours of the day by local vendors. Your host will take you to the spots where you can learn about the dishes and the local ingredients, as you taste the best of what Osaka has to offer. Spend time getting to know your local host, as you chat about your favorite cuisine and get some insider recommendations of the most authentic local places to eat and drink on the rest of your trip.