Osaka Trip Overview
Even in the food loving country of Japan, Osaka is still known as one of the ultimate food destinations – a city with passionate food lovers and an abundance of things to eat.
This is the ideal pick for time-tight travelers wanting to discover lots of Osaka’s dietary highlights in a day. Avoid the potential confusion of public transportation system, and travel comfortably with your private local guide.
We would like to introduce some of the best nostalgic neighborhood locations. If you want to experience the local life and enjoy the gastronomic warm feelings, these backstreets of Dotombori District, Shinsekai, Kuromon Market and Hozenji Yokocho are totally recommended to visit while your stay in Osaka.
Note: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 hours
Starts: Osaka, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Osaka Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Even in the food loving country of Japan, Osaka is still known as one of the ultimate food destinations – a city with passionate food lovers and an abundance of things to eat.
This is the ideal pick for time-tight travelers wanting to discover lots of Osaka’s dietary highlights in a day. Avoid the potential confusion of public transportation system, and travel comfortably with your private local guide.
We would like to introduce some of the best nostalgic neighborhood locations. If you want to experience the local life and enjoy the gastronomic warm feelings, these backstreets of Dotombori District, Shinsekai, Kuromon Market and Hozenji Yokocho are totally recommended to visit while your stay in Osaka.
Note: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Stop At: Dotombori District, Chuo-ku, Dotombori, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076 Osaka Prefecture
We will take a walk through Dotonbori street with its huge billboards, hundreds of restaurants and food stalls selling local foods including the famous Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Shinsekai, 1 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwaku, Osaka 556-0002 Osaka Prefecture
Shinsekai (新世界, lit. “New World”) is a district in Osaka that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. At the district’s center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia-evoking symbol of Shinsekai. The area was developed into its current layout following the success of the 1903 National Industrial Exposition, which brought over five million people to the neighborhood within just five months. Shortly after the expo closed its doors, work began to improve and update Shinsekai.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Kuromon Market, 2-4-1, Nippombashi, Chuo, Osaka 542-0073 Osaka Prefecture
Kuromon Market (黒門市場, Kuromon Ichiba) is a covered public market that stretches around 600 meters parallel to Sakaisujidori Street in the Minami area of Osaka. The market has about 150 shops that predominantly sell fish, meat and produce, with other shops also purveying traditional sweets and low priced clothes and homeware. The market dates back to the Edo Period, and today makes for an atmospheric place to stroll around, shop and eat a variety of different street foods.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ikuno Korea Town, 1-Chome Tsuruhashi, Ikuno-Ku, Osaka 544-0031 Osaka Prefecture
Koreatown at Ikuno. I knew about this place from watching a Korean Variety Show (Superman Returns). This place sells many Korean food items ranging from (at least) 10 different kinds of fermented vegetables (kimchi, radish, cucumbers etc), Korean mochi (ddok, ddok cake, ddokboki), seaweed (gim), sushi roll (kimbab), pancakes, potato chips, red pepper paste, etc.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Minami (Namba), Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076 Osaka Prefecture
Located around Namba Station, Minami (南, “South”) is one of Osaka’s two major city centers. It is the city’s most famous entertainment district and offers abundant dining and shopping choices. The district is easily accessible as it is served by three train companies as well as three subway lines and a highway bus terminal. The other major city center is Kita (北, “North”) which is located around Osaka and Umeda Stations.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hozenji Yokocho, 1, Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076 Osaka Prefecture
This narrow, stone-paved lane next to Dotombori Street feels like the Osaka of olden days―of hundreds of years ago. Cozy and quaint, lined on both sides with small food shops and cafes, it earned instant fame with Sakunosuke Oda’s novel “Meoto Zenzai” (Sweet Bean Broth for Two). It is also famous for its moss-covered Fudo-myo statue, known as Mizukake Fudo. You will find a signboard with calligraphy written by the third Harudani Katsura on the east gate, and by Kambi Fujiyama on the west gate. The beautiful stone-paved pathways here, and the moss-covered Buddhist figure, represent the cultured aspects of Osaka.
Duration: 30 minutes