This tour is meant for those who would like to enjoy sightseeing in Minami ( South ) Area, Osaka and eating and drinking at three izakayas ( Japanese-style taverns ) for relatively reasonable prices in a friendly atmosphere.
At Dobutsuen-mae Station of Subway Midosuji Line or at your hotel in Osaka
At Namba Station of Subway Midosuji Line
This tour is designed for those who wish to explore izakaya ( Japanese-style taverns ) and to enjoy sightseeing in Minami ( South ) Area, Osaka. The tour starts at Jan-jan alley in Shin-Sekai ( the New World ), the name of which is said to have come from the noisy sound of practicing the shamisen ( three-stringed instruments ) before World War II. This alley retains a good old atmosphere of the commoners' town. Next you will move into the core part of Shin-Sekai, which has recently become one of the busiest tourist attractions in Osaka. Shin-Sekai streets are lined with many izakaya and kushikatsu ( deep-fried beef and vegetables on skewers ) restaurants. Then you will go up to the observatory of Tsutenkaku Tower modeled after the Eiffel Tower of Paris. You can take in the twilight view of Osaka from the observation deck, including the sunset on clear autumn days.
You will visit three izakaya restaurants ( including a standing pub ) in Shin-sekai and Namba areas.
On the way to Subway Namba Station, you will stop at Hozenji Temple alley and Ebisu-bashi Bridge famous for a big signboard of a Glico athlete with hands up. Hozenji alley is an old Osaka quarter lined with Japanese-style restaurants, pubs and bars which were and are frequented by entertainers working in Dotombori area. Your tour ends at Ebisu-bashi Bridge for photo taking against the background of the Glico runner.
guide fee
entrance fee for Tsutenkaku Tower observation deck (￥900 ) and dinner at three izakayas ( around ￥7,000 per person )
It is desirable to carry overseas travel insurance because the guide is not liable for any damage or loss incurred during the tour. It is also requested to bring enough Japanese yen with you because some restaurants and taxis do not accept credit cards.
This is a tour for people above 20 years old.
There cannot possibly be a better, more gracious, helpful guide in Kyoto than Yoshihisa. We had an amazing, busy day, seeing exactly what we wanted to see (we don’t like too many temples but he chose ones we adored) and helped us learn the train and purchase IC cards. Highly recommend. From a family of four Canadians, including two adult children
Hi Kim. I appreciate your superb comment on my tour today. I had a very pleasant time, guiding and talking with you all. I hope our paths will cross again someday soon during the cherry blossom or autumn foliage season. Would you give my best regards to Richard, please? Best wishes. Yoshie
As a guide, Yoshie is an excellent and knowledgeable guide, able to handle subject regarding the tour and general Japanese history and culture. As a person, he is extremely personable, allowing us into his daily life that provided us with an intimate view into the real Japanese culture. We could not have had a better day than the one we had today. Arigato gozaimasu!
Hi Mike. Thank you so much for your excellent review for my tour today. I had a very pleasant time guiding and talking with you two. I am glad that you tried to learn Japanese phrases and our culture, including our dishes and ways of having nice time in the evening. I hope you will have a nice time in Japan and return home safely with lots of nice memories of Japan. Ichigo Ichie Yoshie
We took the tour with Yoshie-san on the Golden Route in Kyoto visiting multiple shrines and temples and the Arashiyama Bamboo forest. I had been communicating with Yoshie-san as soon as our Japan trip was finalized. Even outside of the tour, he has been very communicative and helpful in discussing the logistics of the trip and also in catering to our customization request of the tour. He arrived very promptly at the Kyoto train station and we had no problem in identifying him. After the morning visits we had a sumptuous lunch at a boutique restaurant catering to my vegetarian cuisine request. It was a fun day of travel by multiple trains and walks with an excellent coverage. I highly recommend Yoshie-san for as greqt experience and good coverage. Thank You Yoshie-san and GoWithGuide !!
Hi Suresh-San. I appreciate your excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I also had a great time guiding and talking with you all. I am very pleased to learn that you spent a pleasant time on my tour, My Favorite Golden Route. Be sure to get in touch if you have another chance of visiting Kansai district. Best wishes. Yoshie
The tour we made with Ioshie was awesome. He is a very kind man, that knows everything about japan’s history and took us to special places, that we will never forget. Besides, he tough us important things about Japanese culture (for instance, how to pray in a budist shrine). Definitely, it was one of our favorite days in this unforgettable trip. Thanks, Ioshie, for being so special and love what you do. Gabi, Marcelo, Vini, Henrique and Enzo
Hi Gabi. Thank you very much for your heart-warming review for my tour in Kyoto. It was terribly hot but I had a great time guiding and talking with you and your family. I hope you will continue a pleasant trip in Nara, Osaka and Tokyo. With best wishes. Yoshie