Highlights & Hidden Gems of Osaka in Osaka - AdobeStock_285924013
4.9

Highlights & Hidden Gems of Osaka

  • 3 hours
  • City Highlight Tours
  • Osaka
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Choose one of 9 locals available

Experience hosted by Allysa, Simone & other locals

  • Private Tour
  • Carbon Neutral

Want to see the best of Osaka? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Osaka!

Destination
Osaka, Japan
Category
City Highlight Tours
Duration
3 hours
Transport mode
Walking tour
Available languages
English, Italiano, ζ—₯本θͺž, Indonesian
Included
  • Private Guide
  • 1 Local Snack or Drink
  • All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral
Excluded
  • Entrance to attractions

6 reasons to book this tour

  • Explore the best of the city in only 3 hours
  • Spot classics like Osaka City Central Public Hall & Nakanoshima Park
  • Discover hidden gems away from the tourist paths
  • Experience the city from a local’s perspective
  • Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
  • Privately guided by a local expert

What you can expect

Highlights & Hidden Gems of Osaka in Osaka - AdobeStock_285924013

Osaka, is a magical place! And with the local host of your choice, you are going to experience it all. So get ready; culture, history, and local lifestyle await!

Dive into the origin of Osaka as you see the city’s main landmarks like Osaka City Central Public Hall, Nakanoshima Park, and Osaka Castle. And how about the hidden gems? Oh, you’re in for a surprise! Every host has its own story to tell, so pick your favorite, and you’ll discover the city through their eyes. Experience their Osaka to the max based on their passions and expertise. They’ll make sure you have fun enjoying a unique and local perspective of Osaka.

Want to take a break? Leave it up to your host! This is the perfect opportunity to visit that special eatery where only the locals come and your chance to enjoy a local treat hand-picked by your host. Feel free to ask your host more about their life in their city or get recommendations about the top things to do in Osaka. Remember, the locals know best.

The best part of any city tour is definitely the unique stories. Everybody has a story to tell, especially your host. Each one of the local hosts has a different background ranging from arts to history. They can’t wait to share their knowledge with you and exchange ideas and perspectives! Feel like changing the route a bit? No problem, the hosts will be happy to personalize the tour to your wishes and make their Osaka, your Osaka!

Choose your local

Get to know these 9 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

  1. Meeting point

    Meet at Osaka City Central Public Hall, next to the main entrance - Osaka to start your journey

  2. Itinerary

    This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

  3. City Highlights

    See from Osaka City Central Public Hall, Nakanoshima Park, Osaka Castle, and other landmarks and must-sees of the city. Your local host will take you to the main spots in town so you can get the perfect overview of what makes Osaka so unique
  4. Hidden Gems

    Along the way, your local host will show you treasures hidden in plain sight that only the locals know about. Get to know the city through a different perspective, the local way, and discover places and stories that not many tourists experience
  5. Magical Storytelling

    Behind every landmark and every stop, there’s a story, and your local host is ready to tell it all. Get ready to listen to incredible stories, one-of-a-kind insights, and fun facts only a knowledgeable local would know!
  6. Special Treat

    Follow your host to one of their favorite eateries for a snack or a drink beloved by the locals. Take a break and catch up with your new local friend and get the answers to all your travel questions
  7. Make it yours

    Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

    Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

    Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Feel confident booking

    Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

  • Change of plans?

    Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

  • Loved by travelers worldwide

    Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

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JeppeπŸ‡©πŸ‡° Denmark
(About local )
8 July 2025
We had a super great tour of Osaka with Max. The whole family, both the adults and the two teenage boys, where very happy with the experience. Max' personality fit out family, and he was very good with the boys, and engaging them with the tour. We can greatly recommend a tour with Max!Great tour of Osaka with Max
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TeresaπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
17 June 2025
We had a really nice time on our tour. We were able to try some local food vendors that we would not have had the courage to do on our own! It was fun and informative.
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DonatasπŸ‡±πŸ‡Ή Lithuania
(About local )
2 June 2025
We have tested 5 guides in Japan an I can say Naoki was the best in terms of how good his english, knowledge about jaban and how easy it was to communicate with him. Alao very helpful - helped us on our journey to find lost phone :) Thank you fluent english and friendly
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Unknown
(About local )
22 May 2025
He was friendly,ready to change the tour and showing us what we wanted to see. I will give him the highest rating I can give .Max was a fantastic guide
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RobπŸ‡³πŸ‡± Netherlands
(About local )
12 May 2025
Max guided us on our first day in Japan/Osaka. He was very helpful. He speakes English fluently. Communication was perfect. He accomodated all our wishes easily. Kind regards, Rob and MirandaVery helpful guide
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Eve
(About local )
2 May 2025
Very enjoyable introduction to Osaka. Max was very professional, informative and pleasant company. Good communication before, during and after! Highly recommend Max for showing you around OsakaWonderful Osaka experience
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Marie-FranΓ§oiseπŸ‡«πŸ‡· France
(About local )
14 April 2025
Great experience; architectural tour with a very pleasant and highly professional guide. I highly recommend Max to all of you.Great experience
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EmmaπŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
(About local )
6 April 2025
We had a wonderful time with Hiromi! We explored a variety of interesting places together and Hiromi answered all our questions. It was our proper first day in Japan after a huge amount of travel and jet lag and having Hiromi take care of us was exactly what we needed. Many thanks to Hiromi for everything :-)Wonderful time!
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Sue
(About local )
30 March 2025
We had such an enjoyable tour with Jessica. She was helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. It was great to spend time with someone with local knowledge on the first day of our stay in Osaka. Osaka food and shrine tour
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Ann
(About local )
9 March 2025
Hiromi she kept in touch with us . Very easy to reach her . Very knowledgeable, learned so much history from . Very friendly and easy to talk to . She was very accommodating to our request. Very very satisfied customer Excellent
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Unknown
(About local )
6 March 2025
We really loved our time with Jessica. She did a great job explaining everything to us and really had the food scene down. That was our main interest. She was specially good at pivoting around our interests. Highly recommend her!Great Guide!
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BruceπŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia
(About local )
19 February 2025
Naoki was a lovely, softly spoken, humble person, who took us across at least 4 locations in the city giving us a holistic perspective. As someone who grew up in the centre of the city, he knows every part of it. He took us from the Town Hall, local Shinto Shrine, Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, and Dontonbori. He was so generous with his time, that we went past the 3 hours. (Just make sure you have an ICOCA card for the trains, we travelled by train between locations). We learnt a tremendous amount about the history of Osaka, the Shinto and Buddhist religions, the culture of the city, shopping areas, and of course food. Aoki, as someone who has spent his lifetime in the city, is a great person to lead a With Locals experience. Fantastic insights from an Osaka native
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Lucas
(About local )
20 January 2025
We had a great time walking around Osaka with Allysa. She was very pleasant to be with and very knowledgeable about Osaka now and the history. Allysa changed the itinerary to our requests and we did everything we wanted together. Made many pictures together.and became friends in only 3 hours time. Great and personal experience with Allysa
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RachaelπŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia
(About local )
20 January 2025
Max was great. Easy to communicate with in the lead up to the tour, and friendly throughout. He made a considerable effort to include stops that appealed to our kids which was appreciated and led to a better experience for everyone. The snippets of stories around the history of Osaka were brilliant. Would highly recommend Max for anyone coming to Osaka. Great Osaka Stroll
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J.πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
1 January 2025
I CANNOT say now awesome Jessica was to me and my daughters. She knew the city, where to get the best food, and engaged so well with my teens. She went out of her way to make sure we had the best experience in Osaka! Only regret is too little time!
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KaraπŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japan
(About local )
28 December 2024
We had a great time touring Osaka with Naoki! He did a great job explaining the history and cultural aspects. Naoki provided the most thorough explanation that we've heard of Shinto traditions. He was great with my three kids and very flexible. He went above and beyond ensuring we knew where to get to our next stop after the tour. Top marks and happily recommend his tour!Wonderful tour!
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AnnπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
15 December 2024
We had a great time with Hiromi. She took us to so many local sites including Osaka castle, shrines, and a temple. She also took us to some great food spots and gave us great advice that we used for the rest of our trip. We had so much fun on the shopping street that she took us to that we went back the next day. I was able to get a kimono there at an excellent price. I did not see a better price for the rest of our trip. What a fantastic experience!Excellent Morning in Osaka
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KenπŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia
(About local )
15 December 2024
Family of four (with 2 late teens sons). We booked an Osaka to Kyoto day trip, and Osaka Highlights and Hidden Gem the next day with Naoki. Our sons commented that Naoki felt like a cousin from overseas taking us around. Apart from Naomi’s local knowledge and experience, his genuine warmth and kindness made this a memorable experience! Like travelling with your local cousin
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ReneeπŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia
(About local )
22 November 2024
Jessica was a wonderful and considerate guide. We were lucky to have her show us amazing Osaka. She answered all our questions and we had a lot! She was very knowledgeable. Thank you Jessica m! Thank you Jessica!
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Gabriele (Gabi)πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia
(About local )
13 October 2024
We had a great afternoon walking tour with Noaki. It was our first day in Osaka so we discovered the everyday Osaka including the longest covered shopping street in Japan, the Dontonburi and some old Osaka with two temple visits and the castle. Noaki had in-depth knowledge of all sites and was very helpful with some shopping tips which he sent the details of after the tour. He is a lovely and considerate person with a friendly and gentle manner. He went well over time when we were meant to finish. I would definitely book Noaki again on our next trip. 20 out of 10!Osaka highlights
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chrisπŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia
(About local )
29 September 2024
Perfect!Excellent guide
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erikaπŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺ Belgium
(About local )
11 September 2024
Naoki spreekt vlot Engels. Hij heeft ons geweldige plaatsen laten zien. Hij is zeer sympathiek. Beste gids ooit!
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KevinπŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺ Belgium
(About local )
31 July 2024
Naoki was great. No effort was too much for him. Communicates very clearly in English, which is very pleasant when it is not your native language. Book him, you won’t be disappointed !
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GertπŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺ Belgium
(About local )
12 July 2024
Sebatstian is an amazing guide. He knows everything and is a very good storytellers. Full points for the tour we had with him!amazing guide
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VickiπŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ New Zealand
(About local )
16 June 2024
Jessica gave us a great look around, she had good local knowledge A great look around
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AlanπŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia
(About local )
27 May 2024
Hiromi was lovely and showed us a more local side of Osaka. We enjoyed being out of the tourist zone and having an insight from a local. There were a couple of things she was unsure of when we asked, but she made sure to follow up and sent through information after our tour. She was enthusiastic for us to try some truly local products which we may not have tried otherwise, and gave us lots of helpful local tips.Grest insights
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CarenπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
23 May 2024
Our tour with Naoki was both fun and educational! He was also kind , patient and generous with his time and knowledge. We all so enjoyed the tour and our time spent with Naoki.Kind and knowledgeable tour guide!
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AndrewπŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
(About local )
13 May 2024
It was my first time travelling to Japan and Osaka so I knew very little about the country, culture or city itself. Naoki not only provided me with a lot of great detail about all the sites we visited, they helped calm my initial nerves and helped me fully experience the wonders of the city to the fullest. Due to my limited timeframe for being in the city, he expertly crafted a tour for me that was tailored to what I most wanted to see, even making sure to end the tour on a street that had a massive appeal to my own personal tastes so help me explore more on my own after we parted ways. I honestly don’t think I would have had as much fun with anyone else or especially on my own. I used to think coming to Japan would have been a once in a life time trip, but now I can’t wait to come back again soon, and hopefully booking a Naoki again for another tour!What an amazing day
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NicoπŸ‡³πŸ‡± Netherlands
(About local )
15 March 2024
Had a very good tour of Osaka with Naoki. He has loads of knowledge as a true local and his English is very well. Liked the temple visit and local food especially. Perfect tour
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Christy
(About local )
10 March 2024
Jessica was really lovely. She balanced history and interesting facts with general conversation to build rapport. We asked Jessica for tips for the rest of our stay and she told us some and then later sent us a list of places to visit on our own. Her local treat that came with the tour was delicious and we really appreciated the thought that she put into choosing a snack. Would recommend Jessica for a great small tour. Great tips and great chats along the way
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Evelyn πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ Singapore
(About local )
2 December 2023
We have not joined any private walking tour in the past and was very pleased to have Naoki guide us through the Hidden Gems of Osaka. Naoki was very patient and went out of his way to finish the tour despite it being overrun by a little more than 30 minutes. We told him that we can skip the last stop but he said it was not a problem for him. Very happy with his explanation and indeed very insightful for us. Wonderful walking tour
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MirceaπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
9 July 2023
Naoki is a fantastic tour guide, and did a wonderful job with our Osaka tour. He’s relatable, interesting, and flexible with his time and the tour. We would definitely book him again when we are back. Amazing!
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NathanielπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
19 June 2023
I can't help but elaborate more on the incredible things that Hector did to make our Osaka tour absolutely unforgettable. From the moment we met him, it was evident that he was determined to provide a personalized experience that suited our preferences perfectly. Hector's thoughtfulness and generosity truly stood out. He surprised us with little souvenirs throughout the tour, ensuring we had mementos to remember our time in Osaka. But it didn't stop there. He even went as far as covering some of our train ride tickets, relieving us of any financial burden and allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience. What truly amazed us was Hector's unwavering dedication to showing us everything Osaka had to offer. He went above and beyond the call of duty, extending the tour hours to ensure we didn't miss out on any of the city's hidden treasures. His passion for sharing the best of Osaka was contagious and it made our journey all the more thrilling. Transportation logistics can often be a hassle when exploring a new city, but Hector took charge and made sure we never had to worry about catching our next mode of transport. He was meticulous in ensuring we reached our designated transportation on time, allowing us to seamlessly continue our adventure without any stress or delays. Hector's energy was infectious, and it was clear that he had our best interests at heart. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he made it his mission to educate us about the fascinating details and history of Osaka. From local legends to architectural wonders, he shared insights that we would have never discovered on our own. But what truly set Hector apart was his genuine care for our experience. From the very beginning, he reassured us that time constraints were not a concern. He encouraged us to take our time, explore at our own pace, and see everything we wanted, even if it meant exceeding our scheduled time slot. This level of flexibility and understanding made us feel valued as his guests and allowed us to savor every moment of our tour. In Hector, we found a tour guide who was not only sincere and kind but also took immense pride in showcasing the best of Osaka. His dedication and passion were evident in every interaction, and we couldn't have asked for a better guide to lead us through the vibrant streets of Osaka.Hector: Osaka's Unforgettable Guide
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StevenπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
29 July 2025
First day in Osaka and hoping to get a quick overview of city as only had a couple of days. Naoki was truly enjoyable to be around and learn more about him and this wonderful city. We ended the day with local favorite foods at a place he and his friends hung out at when younger and the food was great. Highly recommend.Wonderful day around Osaka
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z5wn9w6gkh
(About local )
27 July 2025
Today we had our food tour and had an absolutely fantastic time! From start to finish, the experience was well-organized, fun, andβ€”most importantlyβ€”delicious. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and very accommodating to our dietary restrictions. He worked to find options that worked well for all of us. We had chatted in advance and confirmed our needs. Each stop on the tour offered something unique, from hidden gems to popular favorites. We sampled everything from seafood to matcha ice-cream for dessert.Delicious and Memorable Food Tour
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PernilleπŸ‡©πŸ‡° Denmark
(About local )
25 July 2025
We had a great food Tour with Hiromi in Osaka😊 She showed us fine local foods and drinks. Since she is borned and raised in Osaka, she told us many interesting facts😊Great evening with Hiromi in Osaka
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ZacπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
23 July 2025
Sebastian sabe mucha historia local y todos los detalles del castillo. AdemΓ‘s Γ©l supo conectar con la gente del grupo menos inspirado por la historia, contando temas japoneses interesantes para ellos para que todos se lo pasaran muy bien. Sebastian fue fantΓ‘stico!
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LucaπŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ Singapore
(About local )
22 July 2025
I have been using Maria services to guide my girlfriend in Osaka while I was busy for business. My gf was absolutely enthusiastic about her as she was very helpful, knowledgeable and kind. Strongly recommend her.Geeat experience
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AndrewπŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada
(About local )
18 July 2025
Simone is a great guide. He was very knowledgeable, but also very accommodating and personable. Highly recommend. Our group had a variety of tastes/wants/needs, and he was able to meet them all. Thank you, Simone!Simone is great
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TomπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
17 July 2025
We could not find a better guide than Simone. Smart, energetic, well informed, good sense of humor. I would also consider Simone for general touring not only a food tour. We have done many and Simone is at the top of the list! Book him now, you won’t be disappointed. Japanese food beyond sushi and shashimi!
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JennπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
13 July 2025
We had such an amazing time on this food tour with Simone. Our stomachs AND our hearts were full! Simone is a knowledgable guide, excellent communicator, history buff, foodie and he managed to connect with each of us in our group, spanning ages 65 to 17--no easy feat. Our teen son said he had no idea that a tour or a tour guide could be like this--this GOOD! It was worth every penny and more! If he's open, book it now. You will not regret it. Truly, Simone is that "One in a million." --from US family of 4 (foodies)The BEST!
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Laura
(About local )
5 July 2025
Maria’s food tour was the perfect way to spend our first night in Osaka. Our family of 5 loved her sense of humor and local knowledge. She tailored our experience for what our interests were. Perfect evening with Maria
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Kathi
(About local )
5 July 2025
Simone was great and very knowledgeable. We got so much in in a short time. He was engaging and accommodating, even with the crazy heat.
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EmmaπŸ‡¨πŸ‡· Costa Rica
(About local )
4 July 2025
Simone was an amazing tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about Japan and its history and answered all our questions. He took us to great places in Kyoto, especially ones a bit more niche we wouldn’t have found on our own. He was very patient with us and even took the time to send us restaurant recommendations later. 10/10, would definitely recommend you book your tour with him. Informative and beautiful tour
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NellπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
4 July 2025
Naoki was outgoing, engaging, spoke excellent English and has great information about Japanese foods and life in Osaka. I highly recommend him. He took very good care of us. Fantastic guide
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DanupaπŸ‡ΉπŸ‡­ Thailand
(About local )
3 July 2025
Allysa is such a wonderful lady. She’s very polite and helpful. She talking care of the client very well. You will feel like you travel with yoir friend that taking really good care of you. Thank you for the great service! Friendly and helpful service.
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Jason
(About local )
2 July 2025
We had an incredible time on our food tour in Osaka, thanks to our fantastic guide, Simone. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made us feel welcome right from the start. Simone took us to excellent local spots we never would have found on our own, and every stop had delicious food and great stories behind it. He shared so much interesting history about the city and culture, which made the experience even more memorable. We left full, happy, and with a deeper appreciation for Osaka’s amazing food and city. We highly recommend this tour and cannot recommend Simone enough to anyone visiting!A wonderful Osaka food tour experience
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AnthonyπŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
(About local )
1 July 2025
A fantastic private food and drink tasting tour with Hiromi. She was very informative and the tour was fun and tailored to us as a group based on our initial hat and discussions throughout the tour. A great way to spend an evening.Delicious Delights of Osaka
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KARENπŸ‡΅πŸ‡· Puerto Rico
(About local )
30 June 2025
Hiromi took us to places visited by locals that we will probably have never notice or have known of. The food was absolutely delicious and she was very relatable. She also made suggestions for future visits to Osaka. Love Hiromi!Love Hiromi, the food and the experience
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BrandonπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
(About local )
25 June 2025
Naoki is an amazing tour guide for Osaka. It started even before the trip where we wanted to know more about the family. Naoki has grown up in Osaka and showed us an amazing time. Not only did he explain the history of each stop, but also talked about some his past experiences. Each restaurant we stopped at was amazing. From Takoyaki to Gyoza and more, each one was delicious. What my family found most impressive was his attentiveness. It happened to be hot and Naoki catered the tour to make sure we didn't get too hot. Even though it was a a tasting tour, my family really loved how he shared Shinto and Buddhism beliefs in Japan. I highly recommend Naoki for an amazing experience in Osaka. Tastings of Osaka for Family from US

Withlocals experiences
are always

Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.

Other City highlight tours in Osaka

€50per person