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.
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
Yoshie was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating scheduling the day to our request but offering insightful suggestions. Would highly recommend him.
Hi Jane. Thank you so much for your nice comment on my tour in Kyoto. It was a pleasure to meet and talk with you and your family in spite of the hot weather. I hope you will return home safely with lots of good memories of Japan. Best wishes. Yoshie
Yoshie really knows his city well and it shows. The golden route is well planned and thought out to make the most of your day in Kyoto and pairs very well with his silver route. Yoshie sets a very quick pace (you really do need those comfortable walking shoes) to pack the most in and allows for plenty of time to get the best photos and the best experiences during the day. No time wasted at all, just great experiences and lots of great stories, both historical and personal. Easily the best guide we have had in Japan who goes over and above to make sure you have a memorable day. Yoshie does not just share the history of Kyoto but will also lift the curtain and show you his own personal favourite places if you are lucky and want to truly get stuck into some local experiences.
Hi James. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment on my tour, My Favorite Golden Route. You were very tolerant to listen to my silly jokes and stories related to the temples we visited. I am glad that you and your family liked the dishes of the yakitori and izakaya restaurants that we went to after the tours. Be sure to get in touch if you have another chance of visiting Kansai district. Warm regards. Yoshie
Yoshie really is an amazing guide. We were lucky enough to be in Kyoto for the late Gion festival and he modified his silver route so that we could take in the sight of the dashis of the procession at a great viewing spot before setting off. He really does know the best routes and the best places to get the best photos. He is very nimble and will set a fair pace for you to match to make sure you get to see the most great places in a day, both the popular and the less visited. Easily the best guide we have had during our Japan trip, He was kind enough to extend our trip at the end of the day via the main Kyoto station on his way home to share some extras that the city has to offer a little off the usual routes. Truly over and above what we were expecting.
Hi James. I really appreciate your excellent review for my tour, modified My Favorite Silver Route. I also enjoyed watching the procession of dashi ( floats ) of the late Gion Festival. I hope you will return home safely with lots of nice memories of Japan. Best wishes. Yoshie