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

At a glance

Osaka Walking Tour: Osaka Castle & River Cruise from Osaka/Kyoto is a 8h – 10h guided experience in Kyoto, Japan, operated by JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.. Travellers rate it 4.1 out of 5 across 19 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $118.28 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter, Only if you choose "Wtih Lunch Option", Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour.

Quick facts

Duration

8h – 10h

Group

Small group, up to 25 travellers

Languages

English

Pickup

Meet at the start point

Confirmation

Confirmed within 48 hours

Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Cancellation

Free cancellation (see policy)

Overview

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 · 1h

   [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.

2. Stop 2 · 40m

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

3. Stop 3 · 30m

   Take a stroll around Umeda where changes continue, such as the opening of Umekita Park in 2024.

4. Stop 4 · 1h

   [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.

5. Stop 5 · 50m

   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.

6. Stop 6 · 1h

   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.

7. Stop 7 · 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.

8. Stop 8 · 30m

   [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 point

Good to know

• 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.

Frequently asked questions