Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Dotonbori
- Ebisubashi Bridge - Osaka
Select a date
Tour Description
See more of Dotonbori than just the buzz of the iconic canal. Soak up the electric atmosphere of the nighttime hub while also escaping to local haunts to see and taste the specialties that put this neighborhood on the map.
Our local foodie will meet you in the heart of Dotonbori to show you the lights, crowds and famous Glico sign before helping you explore the hidden side streets on a savory adventure. You may taste Takoyaki, Osaka's iconic octopus snack, then venture down narrow lanes to find local spots serving Okonomiyaki, a savory pancake bursting with flavor. Discover tucked-away eateries offering crispy Kushikatsu skewers, and finish with a sweet Taiyaki pastry. There may even be time to rest and enjoy a Japanese beer at a local Izakaya while discussing nightlife in Osaka.
As you criss-cross the bustling area with our local Expert and explore lesser-known corners of Dotonbori, you'll uncover the authentic tastes of Osaka's street food culture. Perfect for those seeking an immersive culinary experience.
Experts
- You want to experience a curated selection of Osaka’s most famous street foods, from Takoyaki to Okonomiyaki, prepared by local experts in the heart of Dotonbori.
- You’re excited to soak in the electric atmosphere of Dotonbori at night, with its iconic neon lights, bustling streets, and lively canal, making for an unforgettable evening.
- You’re interested in the history and culture behind each dish, gaining insight into Osaka’s rich food traditions while enjoying the best the city has to offer.
- You’d like to venture down side streets to discover lesser-known eateries and hidden culinary spots that tourists often miss, giving you a true insider’s experience.
- Takoyaki - octopus-filled, crispy-on-the-outside, molten-on-the-inside balls, topped with sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes—a quintessential Osaka street food.
- Okonomiyaki - a savory Osaka pancake with cabbage, pork, and seafood, topped with a rich sauce and bonito flakes, offering a customizable taste of the city.
- Kushikatsu - skewers of breaded, deep-fried meat, seafood, and vegetables, served with a tangy dipping sauce—a beloved Osaka specialty.
- These tastings do replace a meal, so come hungry.
- Dietary restrictions should be shared in advance in order to possibly adapt the tour. This tour may be unsuitable for people with severe gluten allergies as it is difficult to avoid the possibility of cross-contamination. We don’t recommend this tour for vegans or for people with celiac disease.
- We are taking you to local establishments that are often family-run, hours and availability may vary.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- For more information on planning your travels to Japan, take a read through our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about Japanese food prior to a visit, check out our Introduction to Japanese Food Culture pre-trip lecture.
- Want to see and eat more in Osaka? You might be interested in our daytime Osaka Food Tour with Kuromon Market.
Can the tour accommodate those with allergies or dietary restrictions?
We do our best to accommodate everyone, but it can be tricky to find tastings to suit all dietary requirements or preferences. Vegetarians can join, but there will be far fewer samples available. We don't recommend this tour for vegans or for people with celiac disease.
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know when you book. The more information about your diet and eating and drinking preferences that you can give us, the better prepared we can be for your tour!
Is it okay to tip my guide in Japan?
Yes. Context clients generally tip anywhere from 10-25% of the purchase price of a personal service such as this, depending on the quality of the experience and their tipping habits.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
This tour is not walking intensive, but there are bars and eateries located along narrow streets which can be difficult for wheelchair users to navigate. Not all bars and restaurants have an accessible entrance.
Please notify us of any accessibility issues so we can adapt tour stops accordingly.
Where You'll Start
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15 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We had an incredible experience on the Osaka Night Food Tour: Secret Tastes of Dotonbori! Our guide, Miyo, was absolutely fantastic—she was personable, spoke excellent English, and clearly took great pride in both her city and its amazing food culture. Her enthusiasm was contagious and made the tour feel like a fun night out with a local friend. Miyo came well prepared with all the essentials like plates and cups, which made each tasting smooth and enjoyable. Every stop on the tour was delicious and thoughtfully chosen. We learned so much and left full of both food and great memories. Highly recommend this tour—especially with Miyo as your guide!
Emily
Jun 13, 2025
We had the best time with our guide Miyo. She not only took us to some fabulous food spots (some of the best we had in our whole time in Japan), but also shared her knowledge of the history of the various places we visited. She connected individually with each member of our group and her warmth and enthusiasm for not just the subject matter but for being a guide as well were obvious. I would highly recommend Miyo and Context tours to friends traveling to Japan in the future.
Karen
Jun 11, 2025
Our family had a fantastic time with our tour guide, Miyo! The tour exceeded our expectations. We were excited to tour this exciting food neighborhood with Miyo. Having a professional local guide like Miyo was extremely helpful as the food offerings and streets are overwhelming and endless. Miyo not only provided interesting and thorough explanations that even entertained our 11 year old son, but had brought us to several delicious locations where we stuffed ourselves with local foods while learning about them and enjoying her delightful company. We highly recommend this tour (and Miyo!)
Joanne
Jun 10, 2025