Osaka · Kyoto · Nara · Kobe
Japan, at the pace of a good conversation.
Licensed local guiding and tailor-made travel planning from Osaka. Small groups, no rushed checklists, and tables at the places residents actually eat.
- Living in Japan
- Since 2022
- Group size
- 1–6 guests
- Languages
- English · 日本語
- Licence
- National guide-interpreter
Tours
Six ways to spend a day in Kansai.
Every tour can be private, shifted to your dates, and adjusted for mobility, diet and children. Prices are per group of up to six.
-
Kuromon Market at opening, takoyaki lessons in Dotonbori's back lanes, and a long lunch at a family-run okonomiyaki counter. Come hungry; leave with recipes.
-
Fushimi Inari at first light, a quiet Arashiyama bamboo path via the side entrance, and a temple lunch. We take trains early and avoid the queues by design.
-
Todai-ji, Kasuga's lantern-lined paths and the old Naramachi streets, with a slow tea stop. A gentle walking pace, ideal for families and first-time visitors.
-
Walk the Meriken waterfront, taste in the Nada sake district, and finish with a Kobe-style dinner in the foreign settlement quarter of Kitano.
-
Overnight in a mountaintop monastery: vegetarian shojin ryori, dawn chanting, and the misty Okunoin cemetery walk. Includes all transfers from Osaka.
-
A complete day-by-day plan for your whole Japan trip: hotels, rail passes, reservations and a pocket guide, with a video call before and during your travels.
“We came for the castle and left with a favourite noodle shop, a new friend and a notebook full of names.”
— Hannah & Tom, Manchester
The area
One base, four very different cities.
Kansai's rail network makes Osaka the easiest hub in Japan. Most destinations are under an hour from our meeting point at Umeda. Select a city to see how it feels.
Osaka
Loud, generous and food-obsessed. Our home base, and where every itinerary begins or ends.
Hub · 0 min
Your guide
Hello, I'm Jared.
I grew up in the United States and moved to Japan in 2022, settling in Osaka. I remember well what it's like to arrive knowing little, so I guide the way I wish someone had guided me. I started Guide to Osaka because the best days in Japan are rarely the ones on a checklist.
You'll get one guide from first message to goodbye, a plan with room to wander, and honest advice, including when a famous place isn't worth your morning.
- National licensed guide-interpreter
- First-aid certified, fully insured
- Vegetarian, halal and allergy-aware dining
Questions
Before you book.
How far ahead should I book?
Four to six weeks for cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons, two weeks otherwise. Last-minute days are sometimes possible, so just ask.
Is transport included?
Local trains and subway fares are included on day tours. We guide you through the ticket machines, so you can ride alone next time.
Can you work around mobility needs?
Yes. We plan routes with lifts, seating and taxi legs where needed, and set a pace that suits everyone.
What's your cancellation policy?
Free changes up to 7 days before. Within 7 days, we'll rebook you for another date at no cost, once.
Enquire
Tell Jared about your trip.
Three quick questions. Jared replies personally within one working day, usually sooner.
hello@guidetoosaka.example
+81 6 5550 0142
Umeda, Osaka · Mon–Sat 9:00–18:00 JST