Top Osaka Art & Culture

Take a deep-dive into Japanese culture and experience Osaka like a local on this evening walking tour. Join your Japanese-Australian guide, Andy, to explore the city’s historic districts, including the former ghetto and the Red Light district. Learn about Osaka’s history, heritage, and local traditions; venture down the backstreets to visit quirky sites often missed by travelers; and sample traditional street foods. Upgrade to include a delicious dinner of typical ‘kushikatsu’ cuisine.

See Kyoto and Nara’s spectacular sights on a full-day sightseeing tour of the cities from Osaka. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, gain fascinating insight into the rich historical heritage of the region’s legendary landmarks. Begin your cultural excursion with a guided tour of the ancient Nijo Castle, and then absorb the aesthetic majesty of both Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kinkaku-ji Temple. Revitalize with a traditional Japanese and western-style buffet lunch then explore nearby Nara, home to majestic monuments like the Great Buddha of Tadoi-ji Temple and Kasuga Shrine.

Get a taste of local life in Osaka on a walking tour of Japan’s third largest city. Witness Osaka’s different faces, from bustling business center to historic cultural hub, as you follow your guide through the city’s vibrant neighborhoods. Stroll along the lively waterfront of the Dotonbori entertainment district; visit the landmark Hozenji temple; and ride the subway like a local. Get an insight into Japanese cuisine and sample local specialty Kushikatsu as you explore traditional Shinsekai.

At LAST SAMURAI, you will appreciate the sword and deepen your knowledge about samurai. And at the end, we ask them to do "trial cutting" using the actual sword. An exciting experience awaits you that you will never experience in your everyday life. In the old days, Iai and sword-cutting techniques were indispensable techniques to protect oneself or protect the Lord during battle. I don't think such a technique is necessary in modern times, but here at LAST SAMURAI, I believe that learning about this technique and samurai under safe instruction will broaden your spirituality and perspective. It will be a great experience for anyone interested in Samurai, Japan.

See all of Kyoto’s spectacular sights on a comprehensive full-day tour from Osaka. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, absorb the imperial majesty of legendary landmarks like Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu Temple, and the Golden Pavillion. Marvel at more than 1,000 Bodhisattva statues at Sanjusangendo Hall; stroll the manicured gardens surrounding Fushimi Inari Taisha; and discover the opulent chambers of the Kyoto Imperial Palace on a guided tour. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from central Osaka and a traditional Japanese lunch on this comprehensive cultural tour.

Enjoy an efficient, half-day walking tour of Osaka accompanied by a nationally-licensed, experienced multilingual guide! Your guide will help you explore Japan's second-largest city while introducing both modern and traditional sides of this colorful, dynamic metropolis. Start your day with a morning pickup at your hotel, then it's off to the races!　Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Enrich yourself with the fascinating history of Kyoto’s numerous UNESCO-listed temples and shrines during this day trip from Osaka. Explore the seemingly endless ‘torii’ gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, visit Kiyomizu-dera temple, and explore Kinkaku-ji temple. Customize your trip by adding on a deluxe or standard Japanese style lunch, and select from four pickup points.

See the historical highlights of Hiroshima on a comprehensive full-day tour from Osaka. Ride on the super-speed bullet train to Hiroshima then board a boat to the idyllic Miyajima Island, home to the splendid Itsukushima Shrine. Return to Hiroshima to feel emotionally stirred by the magnificent Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, in which intriguing exhibitions speak eloquently of the atomic bomb dropped on the city in 1945. Fully immerse yourself in Japan’s fascinating culture during this enriching excursion. Enjoy convenient transportation from a central Osaka location on this tour.

Experience the top cultural highlights in the ancient city of Kyoto during this half-day tour departing by train from Osaka. Head out with a local guide to explore two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, including Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-Ji (also known as the Golden Pavilion). Spend additional time visiting Kyoto’s regal Imperial Palace. This guided excursion of Kyoto includes round-trip JR rail ticket from Osaka to Kyoto and all admission fees.

Experience the best of both worlds on this half-day Osaka walking tour, designed to reveal popular attractions and hidden gems. Tick off icons such as Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo) and Tsuruhashi Market, and explore the Dotonbori district, famed for its Japanese snacks and neon signs. Plus, explore lesser-known neighborhoods such as Shin-Sekai—full of unique charms. Choose from a morning or afternoon tour.

Osaka is a convenient base from which to explore the rest of Japan. Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kyoto with ease on a hassle-free day trip from Osaka, the ideal choice for first-time visitors with limited time. You’ll experience a romantic train ride to Sagano, home to Arashiyama Park, and tick off the vivid Fushimi Inari Shrine without the hassle of traveling between landmarks alone.

Osaka’s Shinsekai district is a retro area known for being a place that locals love. Swap tourist hotspots for a tour that takes you to the real Osaka. Learn about the fascinating history of the area, and discover traditional dishes that date back to the 1900s. By touring the city with a guide, you avoid any language barriers when reading menus, and discover local secret spots that you wouldn’t find alone. The tour takes you to different shops to try local dishes.

Create your own itinerary during this full-day private tour of Osaka. Skip the hassle of traveling in a large tour group—your guide is dedicated to just you and your private party. Visit the kofun tombs, the south of the city, as well as temples and gardens. Private round-trip hotel transportation in a luxury vehicle included.

Enjoy an efficient, full-day walking tour of Osaka accompanied by a nationally-licensed, experienced multilingual guide! Your guide will help you explore Japan's second-largest city while introducing both modern and traditional sides of this colorful, dynamic metropolis. Start your day with a morning pickup at your hotel, then it's off to the races! Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Laugh the night away in Osaka during this English-language comedy show at the ROR Comedy Club. Make your own way to the club and settle in with a drink before the show begins. Watch numerous comedy acts over the course of 90 minutes and have a chat with the performers after the show.

Discover Osaka’s highlights on this quirky Go Kart tour. Be photo-ready, as there are plenty of funny character costumes to choose from. It’s a hassle-free tour as Go Kart rental, costume rental, insurance, and fuel are included. See lots of Osaka’s top sites like Tsutenkaku Tower, and Kitashinchi area, and you won’t have to worry about losing your group, as it’s a small-group tour. A valid driving license and international license with Japanese translation is required.

It can be tricky as an outsider to know the best places to visit in Osaka at night. This tour is your shortcut to finding great bars, and understanding the history of Osaka’s Namba district. Exploring the city with a guide means you won’t get lost, and you’ll learn local food and drink tips from your guide as well as top sightseeing spots. Highlights include visiting Dotonbori area, Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street, and Hozen-ji Temple.

A guided sightseeing trip to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe makes it easy to see the highlights of each location, like the Kyoto Arashiyama, Nara Park, and Kobe Mosaic. Board a comfortable bus for this day trip from Osaka to make the most of a day away from the city. Opt for an upgrade to a buffet or set lunch and shabu-shabu dinner.

Explore the sights of Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari on this full-day, private minivan tour based out of Osaka. In Arashiyama, you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tenryuji, known for its beautiful architecture, gorgeous classic gardens, and lovely vistas. Then it's on to the world famous bamboo grove. Picture time! Afterwards, we slip away to the quiet, rarefied environs of the Okochi Sanso estate for gardens, architecture, and a matcha tea break too. Much more to see and stroll about in Arashimaya before we head to the awe-inspiring, ever-popular Fushimi Inari, where thousands of red gates ("torii") snake up the mountain. We'll talk about the significance and sites as we make our way up the holy pathway, but it's a private tour, so we only go as high as you want! While not included, we are happy to suggest a lunch stop along the way. This tour can be customized, so do feel free to consult with us if you've something special in mind that we don't cover on the standard tour.

Exploring Osaka without the crowds during this tour for early risers. Departing from Namba Station, you join a guide for an early morning walking tour. Enjoy several main attractions, such as Dotonbori, Shinsekai, and Shitennoji—plus panoramic views from the top of Osaka Castle. This itinerary leaves you with a full day to make other plans.

Discover the historic environs of Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as you explore its temples, shrines and famous deer park on this excursion from Osaka. Visit Todaji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, before seeing Kasuga Shrine, which features over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Then stop by Nara Park, a 1,250-acre reserve that’s home to more than 1,000 free-roaming deer. Your Nara excursion also includes rail tickets between Osaka and Nara, a guide, and all entrance fees.

Spend the day with one of our hosts to discover the true nature of Osaka - head’s up, it’s got a wild sense of humor and is obsessed with food. Explorer (not tourist) is what we’re aiming for here, and in that spirit, you could explore neighborhoods like the fashionable Shinsaibashi or crazy Dotonbori and maybe you’ll discover hidden gems like the smaller shrines and historic streets. Grab a quick bite to eat and see why Osaka is known as the ‘Nation’s Kitchen’ before continuing your adventure through the neon streets of this enigmatic port city. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You'll also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do

Spend a day exploring historic neighborhoods, visiting temples, and shopping on a full-day tour from Osaka to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Explore the Arashiyama district, tour the Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nara Park, and take in the stores at Kobe MOSAIC. This tour includes Kinkaku-ji entrance fee, as well as pickup from Kyoto Station, Umeda, Nippombashi or Namba. Opt for a buffet or shabu shabu lunch and/or a Kobe steak or an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu dinner.

Explore the intricate temples and gardens of Kyoto on this guided tour from Osaka. Visit some of the imperial city’s most important religious and cultural sites. Check out Sanjusangendo Temple, home to more than 1000 statues; the elegant gardens of Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine; and the supreme views from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kiyomizu Temple high above Kyoto. This excursion to Kyoto’s top temples includes a guide and all entrance fees.