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Things to do in Osaka Prefecture

Our most recommended things to do in Osaka Prefecture

Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour from Osaka/Kyoto

1. Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour from Osaka/Kyoto

Depart from the exclusive VIP waiting rooms of Osaka or Kyoto, heading to Fushimi Inari Taisha. Designated as an Important Cultural Property, the main shrine building contains five shrines together, these five pillars of Fushimi Inari Taisha are named for the great virtues of Inari Okami that they embody. Inari Okami is known as a deity of business prosperity, the prosperity of industries, the safety of households, safety in traffic and improvement in the performing arts. The 'Senbon Torii' or 1000 torii gates are donations by individuals and companies, and you will find the donator's name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate. Then you will head to Arashiyama, which changes with the seasons and you can enjoy the scenery any time of year, with cherry blossoms in the spring, boat festivals in the Summer, red leaves in Autumn and snow white mountains in the winter. Arashiyama is also filled with temples and shrines including the match-making Shrine you can visit, during your walk through the famed Bamboo grove. There are a variety of restaurants to choose right near the Togetsukyo bridge, including vegan and Halal. Proceed to the symbol of Kyoto, Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, also named Rakuon-ji: one of the most popular buildings in Japan. Finally, move on to Japan’s old capital, Nara: you will have the time to explore its park, cuddle the worldwide famous deer and enter the biggest wooden building of the planet, Todai-ji Temple, another UNESCO world heritage site. Here you will find yourself in front of Japan’s biggest Buddha statue, 15 meters tall.

Osaka: See the Sights by Go-kart

2. Osaka: See the Sights by Go-kart

Osaka is becoming a renowned tourist spot the world over - and one of the best experiences you can have in the city is street go-karting. An expert guide will show you how to drive the go-kart around Osaka city and take you to some of the best spots, helping you get more familiar with the area. After setting off from our office at Namba, we will take you to some of the following areas: - Osaka Castle (only for 2 hours option) - Dotonbori - Tsutenkaku, Shin-sekai You can also wear one of our provided costumes to stand out from the crowd.

From Osaka: Kyoto Private Day Tour

3. From Osaka: Kyoto Private Day Tour

Explore everything in Kyoto. Enjoy the utmost convenience as you discover the must-sees of the city aboard a comfortable vehicle. You can fully customize your own itinerary! Let the friendly driver pick you up from your hotel in Osaka and help you find the most efficient route to get you to all the sights. Choose from two vehicles available, a 7-seater or 10-seater vehicle, depending on your travel party needs. At the end of the day, the driver will bring you back to your hotel or any other destination of your choice in Kyoto or Osaka—easy and hassle-free!

Osaka: Five Must-See Highlights Walking Tour & Ramen Lunch

4. Osaka: Five Must-See Highlights Walking Tour & Ramen Lunch

Osaka has many defferent names, such as the city of foods, the city of marchants, the city of comedy, the city where the Sengoku period ended . It means she is very diverse, tolerant , the people there are so entertained and adventurous. That is reason why so many foreigners are fascinated by her. Well, Let’s start the walking tour with us to find the real Osaka at a walking pace, from the perspective of a walker. We shall visit Osaka's 5 Must-See Sights with expierianced local English guide; (1) Osaka Castle Museum : Many highlights such as cultural asset exhibitions and the restored golden tea room. (2)Dotonbori : One of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, check "Running Man" above Ebisbashi bridge ! (3)Kuromon Market : A covered public market that dates back to Edo period. Enjoy streetfoods ! (4)Tsutenkaku Tower : Osaka’s symbolic tower. The statue of the good luck god Billiken is on the tower's top observatory. (5)Shitennoji Temple : One of the Japan's oldest Budist temples, the first ever to be built by the state. Also try very tasty Ramen for lunch !

Osaka: Universal Studios Japan Entry Ticket & Transportation

5. Osaka: Universal Studios Japan Entry Ticket & Transportation

Relax as you travel door-to-door by van or coach from your Osaka hotel to Universal Studios Japan, and enter the theme park without delay with your pre-purchased day ticket. Enjoy the wide variety of attractions on offer including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Wonderland. The whole family will have fun on the rides and taking in movies and shows. Explore the many shops and stop for refreshments or a meal. Photo opportunities abound! At the end of the day you’ll return to your hotel in Osaka with the same easy door-to-door transportation service. A number of departure and return times are available to choose from.

Osaka: teamLab Botanical Garden Entry Ticket

6. Osaka: teamLab Botanical Garden Entry Ticket

Visit the newly reopened Nagai Botanical Garden, which is run by the art collective teamLab as a hybrid garden and art space. Wander through the grounds home to roughly 1,200 species of plants, then enjoy the interactive art installations which come alive at night. Stroll through the botanical gardens, with its 240,000 square meters of grounds and wide array of plant species to admire. Stop by the central pond and relax in the serene natural beauty of the gardens. As night draws in, stay to discover teamLab’s unique art project which explores how nature can become art. The concept of the project is that non-material digital technology like light displays can turn nature into art without harming it.  Watch incredible light spectacles which actively interact with the surrounding nature, animals, and visitors, and become part of the artwork yourself as you experience it. 

Osaka: All-Inclusive Night Foodie Cultural Extravaganza

7. Osaka: All-Inclusive Night Foodie Cultural Extravaganza

Explore Osaka's vibrant food culture far away from the tourist spots. Enjoy a drink or two along the way as you immerse yourself in the city's food scene on this small-group food tour. Meet your guide at Temma Station and start your evening food journey in the districts of Temma and Kyobashi. Visit three different tachinomis, standing dining bars, where you'll be served a variety of local favorites. Get ready to chat with locals as you sample some of the best homemade food paired with a bountiful selection of beverages. Depending on availability and guest preferences, you'll be served dote nikomi (slow-cooked beef), sashimi, various vegetable dished prepared with traditional cooking techniques, kushikatsu (fried food on skewers), and many more. On this evening tour, you'll absorb light lessons about the history and culture of the food and life in Osaka. Enjoy the perks of a small-sized group as your guides reveals great insider tips about this fascinating city. Experience the city through the eyes of a local away from the Japanese dishes that can be found on tourist streets. Finally, if you're interested in trying some tender Kobe-area sourced beef,  select the Kobe beef add-on.

From Osaka: Nara Customizable Private Day Tour

8. From Osaka: Nara Customizable Private Day Tour

Design your own custom itinerary and spend 10 hours exploring your favorite attractions in Nara, an ancient city that used to be the capital of Japan. Admire the deer of Nara Park, the famous five-story pagoda at Kofukuji Temple, and the 12 statues at Shin-Yakushiji Temple. Travel in a 7 or 10-seater vehicle. Meet your friendly driver at your hotel in Osaka and design your own route based on the sites you want to visit. Choose either a 7-seater or 10-seater to accommodate your travel party. Head to the locations of your choosing in Nara with your own customized itinerary. Decide to go to the Horyuji Temple, one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world, or Todaiji Temple, known for its large Buddha statue, or other temples. Afterward, view the wild deer roaming freely in Nara Park, and marvel at the ponds in Isuien Garden. Finish your trip after 10 hours.

Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Morning Tour by Bike

9. Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Morning Tour by Bike

Embark on a guided tour by bike to see the outstanding beauty of the  Arashiyama Bamboo Forest away from the crowds. Benefit from the early hour to make your journey undisturbed by crowds, and see sights like Togetsukyo Bridge and the Tenryuji Zen Temple. Meet your guide in the morning and get ready to witness one of Kyoto's most quintessential districts. Beat the tourist crowds and head out to the city's far west on a bike in the company of your guide. Enjoy a tour where you explore the beauty of bamboo, the tranquility of temples, and some of the best scenic panoramas Kyoto has to offer. Visit the evocative forest, as well as the Togetsukyo Bridge, and the gardens of the Unesco World Heritage Site that is the Tenryuji Zen Temple. Speed through the district's streets by bicycle as you immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere. Admire the charming architecture and authentic urban landscape as your guide also takes you to some of their favorite spots off the beaten track.

Welcome to Osaka: Private Tour with a Local Host

10. Welcome to Osaka: Private Tour with a Local Host

Experience Osaka like a resident on a private walking tour with a local host. Get tips on what to see and do, and learn the best ways to get around. Benefit from pick-up at your accommodation and get familiar with your local neighborhood. Discover where to buy groceries or where the best local places to eat are located and much more. Alternatively, meet at a central landmark or intersection to start your walking tour. Venture beyond the usual tourist sites and discover places you would never read about in the guidebooks. Avail of an itinerary that can be tailored to your interests and specific needs. Ride on the public transportation system, at your own expense, if you prefer. Chat with your guide about life in the city and its many traditions. Feel more confident getting around and exploring on your own by the end of your experience.

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Frequently asked questions about Osaka Prefecture

What top attractions are a must-see in Osaka Prefecture?

The must-see attractions in Osaka Prefecture are:

Other Sightseeing Options in Osaka Prefecture

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What people are saying about Osaka Prefecture

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 924 reviews

My wife and I are currently visiting Okinawa and didn't want to pick up a sim card so we decided to try an eSIM. We both have UNLOCKED Galaxy Fold 3's from the United States. First, I should say, I am not very tech savy however, my wife was tired and fell asleep! :( I tried to use only the QR code-that didn't work properly. My phone showed me connected to docomo carrier but I still didn't have internet. I spent a lot of time trouble shooting and watching YouTube tutorials. I feel like I became an expert changing APN settings. Finally, I went back through the get your guide app and followed the APN settings under the details tab then chose IIJ network carrier (I think). Once I did that, it worked great! I did a google search test to verify my connection. I almost gave up all hope!

This was a great experience! Deuce was super fun and knowledgeable. He offered a fantastic outlook and amount of information on the local drinks and dishes in the area. It was a fantastic experience! I think I can easily say we all had a great time!

Levy was a great tour guide! We will definitely tell our friends to book this food tour! We we’re definitely stuffed with alcohol and food by the end of the night!

Amazing and it was my memoriable trip and day in Japan. Thank you Mike (our tour guide) for making my day wonderful.

Amazing experience. 100% recommended. Not as immersive as Team Labs in Tokyo but wonderful in it's own right.