Osaka Walking Tour: Osaka Castle & River Cruise from Osaka/Kyoto

Aqua Liner (Photo for illustrative purposes only)

Kuchu Teien Observatory - on the way to the sky

Duration8h - 10h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 25 travelers

Overview

Discover Osaka's blend of modern cityscapes and rich history on this guided day tour from Kyoto or Osaka. Enjoy panoramic views from the Floating Garden Observatory atop the Umeda Sky Building, one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. Then, cruise along Osaka's waterways aboard the Aqua Liner and admire the scenery from the water. Continue to Osaka Castle, a symbol of Japan's samurai heritage and one of the country's most famous landmarks. Choose from plans with or without lunch. With iconic sights, cultural insights, and scenic views, this tour is a great way to experience Osaka in just one day.

Options

With Lunch from KYOTO

Meeting Point: Please meet our staff at Sunrise Tours Desk on B1 Floor of Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit).
Starting point:
JTB SUNRISE TOURS DESK KYOTO, Japan, 601-8003 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, ３１ B1F AVANTI

No Lunch from KYOTO

Meeting Point: Please meet our staff at Sunrise Tours Desk on B1 Floor of Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit)
Starting point:
JTB SUNRISE TOURS DESK KYOTO, Japan, 601-8003 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, ３１ B1F AVANTI

No Lunch from OSAKA

Meeting Point: Please meet your guide at Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka 9F Lobby
Starting point:
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA, 1-1 Ōfukachō, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0011, Japan

With Lunch from OSAKA

Meeting Point: Please meet your guide at Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka 9F Lobby
Starting point:
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA, 1-1 Ōfukachō, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0011, Japan

What's included

National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
Only if you choose "Wtih Lunch Option"
Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

What to expect

1h · Admission ticket included

[Only from Kyoto Option]After meeting at Sunrise Tours Desk inside Avanti B1F, our staff will guide you to Kyoto Station on foot. From there, you will enjoy a comfortable ride on the Shinkansen bullet train to Shin-Osaka Station with reserved seating in a standard car. Please note that this train journey is unguided. Upon arrival at Shin-Osaka Station, your local tour guide will greet you on the platform and escort you to the tour departure point, ensuring a smooth and stress-free start to your Osaka adventure.
Kuchu Teien Observatory
40m · Admission ticket included

The open-air observatory overlooks the city of Osaka, Awaji Island and Mt. Ikoma. Enjoy panoramic views from 170 meters above the city.
30m

Take a stroll around Umeda where changes continue, such as the opening of Umekita Park in 2024.
1h · Admission ticket included

[With Lunch option] Lunch will be a Western-style set menu. Vegetarian meals are available, but must be requested at the time of booking. Same-day changes cannot be accepted. [No Lunch option] The tour will stop for free time in the Osaka Station area. Afterwards, you will meet back for the tour at Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka (9F Lobby) at 12:50.
50m · Admission ticket included

Enjoy seeing the seasonal scenery with a cruise along the Ogawa River aboard the Aqua Liner water bus. See a view of the famous places and historic spots of Osaka from the river. If the Aqua Liner is out of service due to bad weather, temporary operation suspension, or other operational concerns, the tour will visit the Osaka Museum of History instead.
Osaka Castle
1h · Admission ticket included

Osaka Castle was founded in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a remarkable shogun in the Sengoku period, and is known as the symbol of his power. The interior is a museum where you can view exhibits related to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the history of Osaka Castle.
Osaka Castle Park
30m

The vast grounds are home to ancient remnants such as stone walls and turrets from the Edo period (1603-1868), as well as cherry blossoms and other variety of flora, allowing you to feel the history of Osaka and the surrounding nature that changes with the season.
30m · Admission ticket included

[From Osaka Option] The tour ends upon arrival at Osaka Station. [From Kyoto Option] Your guide will escort you to Osaka Station and provide instructions for returning to Kyoto Station. You will travel to Kyoto Station by local train using a non-reserved seat. The tour ends upon arrival at Kyoto Station.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

[From Kyoto Option] Please meet at Sunrise Tours Desk on B1 Floor of Avanti, located across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit. Our staff will escort you to Kyoto Station to board the train.

Meeting point

[From Osaka Option] Meet your guide holding a JTB Sunrise Tours sign at Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka 9F Lobby.

End point

[From Kyoto Option] The tour ends upon arrival at Kyoto Station around 6:45pm.

End point

[From Osaka Option] The tour ends upon arrival at Osaka Station around 5:45 pm.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Public transportation will be used to move around on this tour. As all trains have non-reserved seats, please note that seating is not guaranteed
If the Aqua Liner is out of service due to bad weather, temporary operation suspension, or other operational concerns, the tour will visit the Osaka Museum of History instead
If the Aqua Liner is unavailable on a Tuesday, when the Osaka Museum of History is closed, refunds will be issued by the guide on the tour day JPY 2,000/Adult, JPY 1,000/Child
The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
[Only With Lunch Option] For those who would like a vegetarian meal, please be sure to make a request at the time of booking. If no requests are made, the standard meal will be served. Requests for meal changes on the day of the tour are not accepted. Allergy-friendly meals, gluten-free meals, etc. are not available. Customers with allergies and those that would like gluten-free meals should reserve the tour without lunch included
[Only No Lunch Option] Lunch is not included on this tour. There will be time allotted for the Osaka Station vicinity. Please purchase your own lunch
As this is a walking tour, please wear shoes and clothing that are suitable for walking. The total walking distance is approximately 6 km (4 miles)
Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with lunch. If lunch is required, please make a booking under the child rate
An additional JPY 450 must be paid at the location for 4 and 5-year-old children for admission to the Floating Garden Observatory ""Kuchu Teien Observatory""
[Onlly From Kyoto Option] The National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter will wait for you at Shin-Osaka Station and guide you during sightseeing at Osaka. You will be led by an assistant until boarding the Shinkansen at Kyoto Station when heading to Osaka, and will be led by the guide until Osaka Station on the return trip from Osaka. There is no accompanying assistant/guide on board between Kyoto Station and Osaka Station
Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.3 (27)