Osaka is a beautiful city which boasts of an equal blend of modern and traditional cultures. With so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to plan your itinerary for your trip to Osaka. But fret not! Joining the Osaka Free Walking Tour is one of the best ways to explore the city without having to worry about navigating the streets or the language barrier. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what to expect from the Osaka Free Walking Tour and why it should be on your list of things to do in the city.
The Osaka Free Walking Tour is a volunteer-run tour that takes you to some of the lesser-known parts of the city that are not in any guidebooks. The tour is conducted in English and runs twice daily at 10 am and 1 pm from the Osaka City Tourist Information Center in Namba. The tour covers a distance of around 4 kilometers and takes about 2.5 hours to complete, making it the perfect way to get a taste of Osaka’s history and culture.
The tour begins with a visit to the historic area of Shinsekai, which means “New World” in Japanese. This area was built in the early 1900s and was a symbol of modernization during that time. The highlight of this area is the Tsutenkaku Tower which was built in 1956 and still stands tall today. You can also find some of the best takoyaki (octopus balls) in Osaka in this area.
The tour then takes you to the Ukiyo-e Gallery where you can learn about traditional Japanese woodblock printing art. The gallery has a collection of over 50,000 prints and is home to some of the greatest masterpieces of Ukiyo-e art. A short walk from the gallery is the Hozenji Temple, which is famous for the moss-covered Fudo-myo statue. The temple is a peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the city and has an interesting history.
Next on the tour is the Doguyasuji shopping street which is a paradise for foodies and kitchen enthusiasts. Here you can find an array of kitchenware, utensils, and local specialties. The area is also famous for its street food snacks like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) and oden (Japanese hotpot).
The final stop on the tour is the picturesque Dotonbori area. This is Osaka’s biggest entertainment district where you can see the famous Glico Running Man sign and the giant moving crab at the entrance of the Kani Doraku restaurant. The tour ends in this area, and you can continue to explore at your leisure, perhaps trying some of the local street food or enjoying the vibrant nightlife.
Conclusion:
Exploring Osaka with the Osaka Free Walking Tour is a great way to get to know the city better. The tour is not only informative, but it’s also a great chance to meet fellow travelers from around the world. You might even get to learn some Japanese phrases from the friendly volunteer guides. So, if you’re planning a trip to Osaka, make sure to put the Osaka Free Walking Tour on your must-do list!
