Osaka

Castle & Palace Tours

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.

Venture out from Osaka on day trip that gives you history, relaxation, and fun, all with the comfort and luxury of a private vehicle, tour guide, and door-to-door transportation. Customize your itinerary to your preferences and discover the gems of the Kansai region. Discover the mysteries of Himeji Castle, a feat of engineering and one of Japan's most elegant castles still standing today. Let your English-speaking guide take you into the castle buildings, providing you with stories and facts that make for a much richer experience than could be obtained on your own. Learn what rooms were used for what, all about defensive strategies, the role of concubines, and of course how the castle was designed to thwart invasion. Leave Himeji Castle and take a lunch break before heading off to Arima Onsen or central Kobe for some afternoon sights and relaxation. Feel restored by the therapeutic, mineral rich waters of Arima Onsen as others have done for over 1,300 years. Sense how your mind becomes more at ease and your skin smoother after the experience. Then, take a lovely stroll around the town, with shops and food vendors pleasantly scattered about. For those not quite so interested in hot springs, opt instead to explore the coastal areas of Kobe City at no additional cost. Choose from a number of local highlights according to your interests, including a well-known sake (Japanese rice wine) producer, where you can learn how the product is made and get some free samples. See the Western-style area of Kyu Kyoryuchi with its well-preserved houses dating back to the late 1800s.

Meet your guide at JR Osaka station and first visit the Umeda Sky Building and Kuchu Teien Observatory, one of the most famous buildings in the city, known for its striking architectural design. Then, take a short train ride and visit Osaka Castle. This famous castle is home to a museum where you can learn about its historical significance. See various traditional military artefacts from the time of its construction. From the top floor of the castle, there is an observation deck where you can enjoy spectacular views of the entire city. Take another train ride to the Shinsaibashi district, a major shopping hub in Osaka where long-established department stores and international luxury brands are located. Walk to Dotonbori Street, one of the most colorful and lively areas of the city, where you can snap some photos of the striking advertisements all around you. Stroll down Hozenji-Yokocho, a side street that exudes a serene atmosphere. Admire the moss-covered Buddha statues and the maze-like narrow alleyways which make this place an oasis of calm amongst the hustle and bustle of downtown Osaka. Stop at the Kuromon Ichiba Market known as "Osaka's kitchen" where you can find fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits from all over the region. Discover the vibrant Den-Den Town where you will learn more about Japanese pop culture, browsing various stops selling various anime, manga, and video game paraphernalia. Take another train ride and arrive at Shitennoji Temple, which has a fascinating 1,400-year history. Finally, finish the tour in the Shinsekai area of the city. with its many restaurants and theaters as well as the famous Tsutenkaku Tower, the symbol of Osaka.

Meet your guide at JR Osaka station and then take the train from there to Osaka Castle. First, you will visit the Osaka Museum of History. You'll see a replica of the great council hall of Naniwanomiya Palace and learn about the history of Osaka. Then, visit Nishinomaru Garden. This is a great spot to take some photos with Osaka Castle in the background. Next, you'll head to Otemon, the main gate of Osaka Castle where you'll marvel at the gigantic stones used to build the castle walls. In the main castle area, you will also visit Osaka Castle Tower, see the reconstructed golden traditional tea ceremony room, and admire the amazing view from the observatory. Don't miss the authentic Samurai uniforms that they used to wear into war. After your visit to the castle, have lunch at MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO, and then enjoy a cruise on the castle moat in an traditional boat to view the high stone walls and the gardens from a different perspective.

Discover how Osaka has centuries more history than Tokyo and a merchant culture that still strongly resonates today on this full-day guided tour by private vehicle.  First stop is a visit to the Osaka Castle, where you will explore the grounds and enjoy the view of the castle’s exterior. Then, visit what is said to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, Shitennoji.  Next, head to Shin-sekai. A short stroll around the area will show you typical foods, games, and Osaka's famously bad fashion sense. After lunch, visit the Harukas building to admire views across the city as you soar up a glass elevator. At the basement of this tall building is a local marketplace with some of the finest foods on display, such as Kobe beef and high end sushi.  You will then explore Dotonbori, sometimes compared to New York's Times Square. Explore the side streets and hear interesting stories from your guide. Finally, visit the market of Kuromon Ichiba, where there's a deep history and unique vibe.