You’d feel cheated visiting Osaka and not tasting your way through its vibrant gastronomic scene. On this 3-hour tour, we’ll visit three main areas which will help us deepen our knowledge of food in the Kansai region and enliven our taste buds, to both traditional and contemporary Osaka food. Designed for enthusiasts wanting a deep dive into Osakan specialties as well as those looking for a primer on Japanese cuisine, our tour will include plenty of food, entwined with a historic and cultural narrative. 

We'll meet at the lively Kuromon Market - a covered arcade stretching a magnificent 600 meters. It remains a professional chef market as well as a destination for tourists and locals alike. We may stroll through the market while sipping on a local juice as we listen to our guide's explanations, or we could be adventurous and try some local pufferfish. Depending on our appetite, we may decide to have a number of tastings or choose to save ourselves for a sit-down meal. We could try Takoyaki (Japanese octopus snack), sushi or ramen as we continue our discussion on Japanese gastronomy. Next, we'll head to a shopping street in the Doguyasuji area, famous for its kitchenware and a trove of goods from Japanese knives to intricate bowls and a fitting place to continue our discussion. We'll pop into a tranquil temple on our way to the bustling district of Dotonbori for a bit of a change of scenery. We'll reach Dotonbori, named after a former 17th-century merchant, Yasui Doton. It is famous today for its array of street food, serving anything from Japanese mochi sweets to Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers). We’ll learn about the area and soak up the sights and smells around us. 

After an educational and delicious walking tour of Osaka’s celebrated gastronomic delights, we’ll leave each other with fuller stomachs and a better understanding of foods that are often curious to the overseas visitor. We’ll have learned about the cultural and seasonal influences on Osaka cuisine, and Japanese cuisine more broadly. 

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Where do we meet? Where does it end? Generally speaking, the walk begins near Kuromon Market. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map. The walk typically ends around Dotonbori.

Tours operate rain or shine. The majority of this walk is outside, so please be prepared with either an umbrella or a hat/sunscreen.

Can the tour accommodate those with allergies or dietary restrictions? 

We do our best to accommodate everyone. If you have severe allergies to seafood or nuts, there will be items you can eat during the tasting, but cross-contamination may be a problem during lunch. The best thing to do is let us know when you book if anyone in your party has allergies or dietary restrictions. We can check in on dishes, order ahead, and do everything possible to ensure you enjoy your tasting and meal. Vegetarians can join, but there will be fewer samples available as the vast majority of the market is seafood. Gluten-free diets are easy to accommodate, but there are trace amounts of wheat in soy sauce, which is common but can be avoided.

What is the difference between the morning and evening tour? 

Mainly the time of day. The atmosphere is very lively at both times of day, so the experience will depend on whether you would like a lunch-time tour or a dinner-time 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.