Things to do in

Osaka

Discover The Umeda Sky Building, also known as the "New Umeda City" and enjoy this spectacular high-rise building in the Kita district of Osaka, near Osaka and Umeda Stations.  The 173-meter tall building consists of 2 towers that are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers great views of the city through its windows and from its open-air deck. In the basement you find a restaurant floor that replicates a town of the early Showa Period, while offices occupy most other floors.

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.

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.

Are you looking for a fast and hassle-free way of getting to Hiroshima from Osaka? Get your one-way West Sanyo Shinkansen ticket and ride on the famous Shinkansen Bullet Train. Enjoy the comfort of spacious seats and a peaceful environment, as well as the prioritization of your safety. Take in views of the Osaka countryside all throughout your journey to the destination at Hiroshima Station. Simply redeem your ticket at the ticket machine and enjoy your comfortable, high-speed ride.

Being connected to the internet is of great importance in Japan, especially for foreigners. You can use it to navigate the sometimes confusing public transport system, to translate unknown words, and to simply stay connected with your friends and family. With these convenient SIM cards, you can immediately get an internet connection.  This SIM card has high-speed internet access (4G LTE) and no data limitation. It is available for a duration of either 8, 16, or 31 days. It works on the Docomo network, Japan’s biggest network provider. The SIM card connection covers 99% of Japan. It can be adjusted to fit as a nano, micro, or normal SIM card. 

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.

Access 4G LTE Wi-fi across Japan with this pocket router that connects to the Softbank Network. With Unlimited WiFi data, you'll be able to use Maps, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, watch Youtube videos and more on the go. Just visit the Haneda Airport counter on the 2nd/3rd floor of the arrival terminal and you will be able to start using the internet as soon as you have landed. Business Hours:  6:30 AM-11:45 PM 2nd floor NINJA WIFI Counter The devices can be returned at most major airports in Japan, or via delivery from any hotel, Family Mart, or Lawson convenience store.

Osaka comes alive at night and the locals know how to party. To experience the best of the city’s night time personality and discover how the locals really go out, join a like-minded host who will show that no matter what night of the week, the city will be alive and kicking 24 hours a day. 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. Your host will choose an area of the city to explore that suits your tastes and personality. You can discover the famous entertainment districts like Namba or Umeda, the foodie district of Dotonburi, or get lost in the mazes of tiny streets in a more off the beaten track neighborhood.  Spend the evening like a true local and bar hop your way around the city in style, stopping by izakaya and tachinomiya and enjoying a beer from a konbini as the locals do. At izakaya, share delicious small plates of yakitori, gyoza, and other classic pub snacks. Join the local office workers as they sip sake or beer at a tachinomiya, which is a unique type of standing bar.  It might sound odd, but it’s legal to drink in public so for a truly local experience head to a konbini (a convenience store) and grab a cheap beer. Enjoy it as you are dazzled by the neon lights of the vibrant entertainment districts or in Triangle Park in Amemura. Then, it is time for karaoke. Sing your heart out in a karaoke bar or box, where you can hire your own room until the sun comes up or until you are in need of a steaming bowl of ramen. Join the locals queuing at 5:00 AM for a bowl of ramen before the public transport starts again.

Join a friendly local guide in an authentic experience of electrifying Osaka. Get a personalized tour of the city’s fascinating history, culture, and fantastic food scene as you’re led between its liveliest districts – and a few off the tourist trail. 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. First, meet your guide at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Dating back to the 3rd century (before the introduction of Buddhism), it’s one of Japan’s oldest shrines, and one of the few examples of Sumiyoshi-zukuri – purely Japanese architecture. Then, hop on the train to the high-energy entertainment district of Namba, an area that’s buzzing with locals looking for a good time 24/7. Stroll down lively streets to Kuromon Market, a covered space packed with over 100 shops and vendors selling street food, shellfish, and souvenirs. (If you’re feeling peckish, point out the seafood that tickles your fancy, from scallops to sea urchin, and watch a vendor cooked right in front of you!). Next up, explore tranquil Hozenji Yokocho, a stone-paved lane packed with long-standing Japanese bars and restaurants that retains the spirit of the Osaka of yesteryear, and see Sennichimae Kitchenware Street – a street dedicated entirely to kitchen utensils and food supplies! Peer into the shops and restaurants lining the Soemon-cho entertainment district, an area with more than 400 years of history, and get lost in Den-Den Town, the perfect place to geek out over cameras, computers, pop culture, games, and anime. After that, get blinded by Dotonbori, a snapshot of typical Osaka, where colossal food signs and flashing lights illuminate your path (don’t miss the eye-catching Glico Running Man above Ebisubashi Bridge), then take a pleasant walk through to Shinsaibashi and the creative, youth-oriented America-mura – a treasure trove of retro stores, independent galleries, and cool cafés. Finally, see the iconic Osaka Castle, a symbol of the city and one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. Your personalized itinerary will be planned according to the number of hours booked and adapted to your preferences. Once you’ve booked, someone from the local tour operator's team will be in touch, so let them know if you have any special requirements.

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.