Kyoto

From zen to razzle-dazzle: day trip to Osaka from Kyoto

Day Trips & Local Escapes • 8 hours 5.0 (6)

From zen to razzle-dazzle: day trip to Osaka from Kyoto

Swap red lanterns and temples for neon lights and moving billboards on a day trip to eclectic Osaka and Japan's food capital

Visit on the 15th, 21st and 25th of the month to catch one of the flea markets and grab amazing bargain kimono, ceramics, handicrafts etc.

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

Travel by bullet train to Osaka with your host, who’ll come in handy when it comes to deciphering the local sense of humor!
Discover Osaka’s top attractions and make the most of your one day in the city
Get recommendations on how to experience the incredible food culture full of street eats and Osakan dishes
Explore central Osaka neighborhoods like its famous entertainment districts
Discover another side of Japanese culture which is completely different from what you know in Kyoto!

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

At a glance What’s included Things to know

8 hours

Fully tailored to your preferences

English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience

8 hours with a host

Walking experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)

What’s not included

Food and drinks

Tickets to any attractions

Transportation costs.

Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

The host will be waiting you at Matsumoto Kiyoshi Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

If you’re looking to switch up the peace and tranquility of lantern-lit Kyoto for neon-lit, animatronic-crab-adorned entertainment districts, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll take the bullet train from Kyoto Station to Osaka and explore this food-obsessed city with your host, a local insider.

Discover another side of Japan as you visit fast-paced entertainment districts like the canal-side neighborhood Dōtombori or neighboring Namba, both of which are located in the heart of Osaka. On the other side of the canal, check out Shinsaibashi, a shopping district that’s a mecca to modernity, then delve into sub-culture in Amerikamura, an area to the west that’s the heart of Osaka’s youth culture.

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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What travelers think of this experience

Carsten, Jan 2025

An unforgettable tour through Osaka – Thanks to an amazing guide! Our trip to Osaka became an absolute highlight thanks to Milo, our incredible tour guide! From the very beginning, he was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which instantly made us feel at ease. His enthusiasm for the city was contagious, and he managed to show us not only the major landmarks but also the hidden gems and small treasures along the way. What impressed us the most was his extensive knowledge. Milo was able to answer every single one of our questions – whether it was about Osaka's history, cultural nuances, or the little details we would have never noticed on our own. From traditional temples to modern neighborhoods, he explained everything in a vivid and engaging way that was never dull or overwhelming. His English was exceptional, making communication effortless. Not only did he speak fluently, but he also managed to explain complex cultural contexts clearly and understandably. Thanks to him, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in Osaka's culture and history. What we particularly appreciated was his personal touch: Milo tailored the tour perfectly to our interests and made us feel genuinely welcome throughout the day. I'm the travel agent of this guest review and i am more than happy an thankful that Milo took so very good care of my guests. Thank you very much !

Ajit, Apr 2024

Mel was a wonderful guide who understood what we wanted and customised the tour. She even took us to Kobe for the beef!

Arturas, Nov 2023

Our guide Takaya Yamada was amazing. Very personalized experience. Very approachable guide. Even took us to the places that we didn’t plan to go. Wasn’t rushing us and explained everything to the detail about Japan, culture, religion, and every day living in Japan. 5 star service. Recommend Takaya to everyone for amazing Kyoto and Osaka experience. Thanks Takaya. See u in Vegas!

Óscar Fernando, Jun 2023

Mi, was a very nice person. She was helpful and polite of Course helped us in all Our questions

Nikhil, Mar 2025

Alex is a phenomenal guide—he was super knowledgeable but more importantly very warm and considerate (and accommodating of our baby). Would absolutely recommend this tour.

Scott, Mar 2025

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