• Language:EnglishEn
  • Currency:USD  (US$)
  • Wishlist
  • Cart
  • Help
  • Log in
Skip to content
  • Japan
  • Kansai Region, Japan
  • Things to do in Osaka
Guided tour

Osaka: Deep Backstreets Exploration

4.9  / 5
139 reviews
Activity provider:Osaka Food Tours, Inc.
photo-gallery
photo-collagephoto-collagephoto-collagephoto-collage
Add to wishlist
Guided tour

Osaka: Deep Backstreets Exploration

Activity provider:Osaka Food Tours, Inc.
4.9  / 5
139 reviews
Likely to sell out

From US$ 53.58 per person

Likely to sell out

Explore the non-tourist areas of Osaka, where the veil of "perfect Japan" will be lifted. Get an unfiltered understanding of how the city really functions in the abandoned buildings area, retro zone, alleys, redlight district, gambling dens, and more.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 3 - 3.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

Experience

Highlights
  • Venture into the intriguing abandoned buildings area with a controversial past
  • Hear historic facts and anecdotes from this gritty region completely unknown to tourists
  • Visit the unique, traditional Taisho-Era, incredibly-preserved historical red light district
  • Eat delicious, local side dishes in back-alley stalls full of character
  • Discuss taboo topics and get a deeper understanding of how Osaka operates
Full description
Begin by getting a feel for retro Osaka. Be transported back in time to a Japan barely recognizable. Jump into retro video game parlors, old-fashioned markets, and more. See how the locals entertain and are entertained by night, from games unique to Japan, to crazy fishing restaurants, to a peek in an Osakan theater. Your next stop will be within some of the most amazing back alleys you'll ever see. Interact with your surroundings, feeling the profound energy and history of the area. Sample 2 delicious side dishes from two different stalls here. A stone's throw and you're within an area filled with untouched, abandoned properties, which provides a truly surreal experience in the middle of the city. Afterwards, you'll have the option to walk through the red light district, or to skip it and go on a separate path.  This Taisho-Era red light district is incredibly preserved from that period, and consists of UNESCO-listed buildings important to Osakan culture. Finally, you'll have the option to eat a full dinner at a tasty, tradition restaurant after the tour has ended.  This tour is not necessarily recommended for all; if you are intrepid, well traveled, and seeking glimpse into an unfiltered, honest side of Osaka, it is a good choice for you. Note that this tour exposes the good, the bad, and everything in between. It includes taboo topics as well, which are very important in forming a complete picture of Japan and its people, such as Yakuza, sexism, war, illegal gambling, sex work, illicit businesses, pachinko, homelessness, welfare, and more. Note also that this tour will not go through the homeless district. Your guides are always respectful should people who are homeless also be traveling the same route as the tour.
Includes
  • Visits to two stalls for two side dishes
  • Dinner after the tour (if option selected)
  • Professional tour guide
  • Drinks
  • Hotel pickup
Not suitable for
  • Children under 16 years
  • Pregnant women
  • People with mobility impairments

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes

Not allowed

  • High-heeled shoes

Know before you go

  •  Being on time is very important in Japan. There is no chance of catching up on this tour if you are late as the group will enter winding alleys and it will be impossible to find them. You are guaranteed an incredible, unique, one-of-a-kind experience — all you have to do is be on time.
Likely to sell out

From US$ 53.58 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
  • Give this as a gift

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 139 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5
  • Service
    5/5

Filter

By star rating

Sort by:

This is such a great walking tour - I would highly recommend if you enjoy exploring cities off the beaten path. Our guide had excellent knowledge and great stories to tell. It was great to explore a side of Osaka that you would never ordinarily get to see. I would also recommend choosing the option with a trip to an izakaya (dinner option) at the end.

Read more

August 9, 2023

J
Julia – GermanyVerified booking

Helpful?

Hands down my favourite activity in our 3-weeks in Japan! DO NOT SKIP THIS! It's not your average boring tour. This is a really cool and very interesting view of Japan. Kevin, our guide, was hilarious, and a little rough around the edges. Don't do this tour if you're easily offended!

Read more

August 7, 2023

Y
Yasmin – CanadaVerified booking

Helpful?

This tour was fantastic. The guide (Australian guy) was amazing! This is a tour of the backstreets and the ghetto of Osaka, not a historical walking tour of Prague, what you’re seeing is another side of Japan so if the guides are little “out there” and throw jokes out, don’t blame them, it’s all part of a fantastic tour! This was one of my highlights of my Japan trip and as a solo traveler, it was great to meet people. I’d recommend the dinner option as you try a lot of famous local foods. The guide had great info and I learned a lot about the “other” side of Japan you don’t know or hear about. Would 100% recommend this tour!

Read more

July 2, 2023

G
Gareth – QatarVerified booking

Helpful?

Product ID: 365285

  • Japan
  • Kansai Region, Japan
  • Things to do in Osaka

Top Attractions in Osaka

  • 1Universal Studios Japan
  • 2Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum
  • 3Kuchu Teien Observatory
  • 4Osaka Castle
  • 5Itami Airport
  • 6Kuromon Ichiba Market
  • 7Tsutenkaku
  • 8Shin-Osaka Station
  • 9Shitennoji
  • 10Osaka Station
  • 11Abeno Harukas 300
  • 12Ebisu Bridge, Osaka
  • 13Castle Park, Osaka
  • 14Hōzenji Temple
  • 15Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
  • 16Kyobashi Station
  • 17Namba Grand Kagetsu
  • 18Osaka City Air Terminal Building
  • 19Nishinomaru Garden - Osaka Castle
  • 20Sumiyoshi Taisha

Things to Do in Osaka

  • 1Osaka Activities
  • 2Osaka Tours
  • 3Osaka Sightseeing
  • 4Osaka Architecture
  • 5Osaka Night tours
  • 6Osaka Culture & history
  • 7Osaka Garden & park tours
  • 8Osaka Small group activities
  • 9Osaka Day trips
  • 10Osaka Outdoor activities
  • 11Osaka Guided tours
  • 12Osaka Spring activities
  • 13Osaka Rainy-day activities
  • 14Osaka Summer activities
  • 15Osaka Wheelchair accessible
  • 16Osaka Neighborhood tours
  • 17Osaka Religious & spiritual activities
  • 18Osaka Entry tickets
  • 19Osaka Interactive tours & incentive events
  • 20Osaka Theme & amusement parks

Cities in Japan

  • 1Tokyo
  • 2Kyoto
  • 3Hakone
  • 4Naha
  • 5Nara
  • 6Kamakura
  • 7Nagano
  • 8Sapporo
  • 9Kanazawa
  • 10Takayama
  • 11Fukuoka
  • 12Yokohama
  • 13Nikko
  • 14Niseko
  • 15Nagasaki
  • 16Taito City
  • 17Kobe
  • 18Fujiyoshida
  • 19Date, Hokkaido
  • 20Yakushima

Top destinations

  • Paris
  • Rome
  • Amsterdam
  • London
  • Barcelona
  • Venice
  • Dubai
  • Florence
  • New York City
  • Budapest
  • Berlin
  • Prague
  • Lisbon
  • Milan
  • Reykjavik
  • Vienna
  • Edinburgh
  • Krakow
  • Marrakech
  • Madrid

Popular on GetYourGuide

  • Rome Culture & history
  • Paris Architecture
  • Rome Tours
  • Krakow Bus & minivan tours
  • Paris Theme & amusement parks
  • Reykjavik Bus & minivan tours
  • London Entry tickets
  • Venice Airport transfers
  • Amsterdam Cruises & boat tours
  • Amsterdam City cards
  • Paris Bus & minivan tours
  • Dubai Audio guides
  • Marrakech Bus & minivan tours
  • Florence Culture & history
  • Paris Audio guides
  • Rome Airport transfers
  • London Culture & history
  • Paris Tours
  • Paris Entry tickets
  • London Bus & minivan tours

Popular Attractions

  • Vatican Museums
  • Colosseum
  • Seine River
  • Sagrada Familia
  • Van Gogh Museum
  • The London Eye
  • Tower of London
  • Prague Castle
  • Alcázar of Seville
  • Seville Cathedral
  • 9/11 Memorial, NYC
  • Caminito del Rey
  • Edge
  • Top of the Rock Observation Deck
  • Pompeii
  • Underground Naples
  • Pantheon, Rome
  • Louvre Museum
  • Sainte-Chapelle
  • Empire State Building
Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
  • Contact
  • Legal Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies and Marketing Preferences
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Information according to the Digital Services Act
  • Sitemap
  • Do not Sell or Share my Personal Information
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Gift Cards
  • Magazine
  • Travel Guides
  • As a Supply Partner
  • As a Content Creator
  • As an Affiliate Partner
Paypal
Mastercard
Visa
Maestro
American Express
Jcb
Discover
Sofort
Klarna
Google Pay
Apple Pay
Bancontact

© 2008 – 2023 GetYourGuide. Made in Zurich & Berlin.

Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn