Kansai Prefecture Tours

-Try Osaka's "must-eat" street food, Takoyaki- It's a small rounded ball snack made of wheat-flour based batter with a piece of octopus inside. This Takoyaki is originally from Osaka and that's why we want you to try the best one. -Have a taste of local favorite foods- This tour will be an excellent option for you if you would like to try different kinds of Japanese food in one place! The Kuromon Market has a history of more than 100 years and has more than 130 shops and stalls. -Find unique Japanese kitchenware and tableware souvenirs- We'll head to a street named Doguyasuji street. The street has contributed to "the Kitchen of the Nation" by offering various kitchenware, tableware and cooking equipment not only for individuals, but also for professionals. Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!

Explore the sights of Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari on this full-day, private minivan tour based out of Osaka. In Arashiyama, you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tenryuji, known for its beautiful architecture, gorgeous classic gardens, and lovely vistas. Then it's on to the world famous bamboo grove. Picture time! Afterwards, we slip away to the quiet, rarefied environs of the Okochi Sanso estate for gardens, architecture, and a matcha tea break too. Much more to see and stroll about in Arashimaya before we head to the awe-inspiring, ever-popular Fushimi Inari, where thousands of red gates ("torii") snake up the mountain. We'll talk about the significance and sites as we make our way up the holy pathway, but it's a private tour, so we only go as high as you want! While not included, we are happy to suggest a lunch stop along the way. This tour can be customized, so do feel free to consult with us if you've something special in mind that we don't cover on the standard tour.

If you have only one day in Kyoto and want to see all the top 10 must-see spots of Kyoto, this tour is the best for you. A professional local guide shows you the best, comfortable and convenient way to the spots. And you can enjoy walking along with the beautiful sceneries, paths, and back alleys only the local people know. We use the taxies three times to save your time and energy. This tour is a mixture of public transport and taxis. Thanks to taxis and a friendly local professional guide, you can visit the 10 most famous attractions such as the Fushimi Inari shrine (thousands of Torii gate), Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu temple (with huge balcony), bamboo forest, Geisha district, and so on. If you check the spots you can visit on this tour, you can notice that all must-see points in Kyoto are included!! Please enjoy the top ten spots with the beautiful stories of your guide. ※We also welcome Japanese who are studying English and want to visit top 10 must-see points in Kyoto.

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture and history using this private full-day vehicle charter from Kyoto. After selecting your preferred choice of transportation from a van, bus or limousine, your group will enjoy a private tour through the ancient city of Kyoto, complete with UNESCO-listed temples and numerous culture attractions. Explore the city at your own pace and customize the day to see only what you want to, all with the help of a guide/driver. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the best Kyoto has to offer.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, receive a cultural introduction to the country during a tea ceremony in traditional kimonos. During the ceremony, learn about Japanese history and sample matcha green tea, a local specialty. Plus, wearing a traditional kimono means you leave the experience with fantastic photographs to commemorate your time in Kyoto.

Enjoy the convenience of a guided tour without having to squeeze onto a bus with strangers on this private, customizable tour in a modern Land Rover vehicle. After being picked up from your hotel you’ll have a full day to explore beautiful Kyoto. Choose your sights and activities to suit your needs, but the itinerary could include Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkakuji, and other historic and cultural highlights.

Take a tour of Kyoto's famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Your local guide will tell you about the traditions from an insider perspective, as it can be difficult for outsiders to access geisha culture otherwise. At the same time you'll explore Gion's beautiful streets, temples, shrines, and shops, for a comprehensive overview of historic Kyoto.

Immerse yourself in the cultural and architectural splendor of Kyoto on this private tour, ideal for first-time visitors. Choose from two different routes, both of which cover major Kyoto attractions including Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple, and explore the city with a personal guide. On the northwest-bound route, you’ll visit the Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Food Market, and the bamboo groves of Arashiyama Park. Alternatively, the southeast course covers the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, and the Gion area. Receive undivided attention from your guide on this private tour. 

Get a deeper experience of Kyoto food culture than would be possible on your own by joining this guided tour. Stroll through the districts of Gion and Pontocho, stopping in to small bars and restaurants to sample traditional drinks and food, as you explore.

Immerse yourself in samurai history and culture during this 2-hour samurai experience at a traditional Kyoto Samurai House. Under the guidance of an expert sword instructor, learn the philosophies of Bushido, the "Way of the Warrior" handle a real katana sword; and take part in a Zen meditation session.

This is a Nara private tour using by public transportation from Osaka. The guide will pick you up at the hotel. No problem with train and bus transfers, as the guides are with you! The destinations of the tour includes Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, deer park, and other UNESCO World Heritage Site temples! For details of the tour, you can look at the what to expect section and inclusions excursions section of this web page.

Andy, your half Japanese/half Australian tour guide, has extensive knowledge of the local foodie scene here...you'll go where only the locals get their authentic, delicious daily soul food. Let's mix it with a bit of history, culture and lots of laughs. We hope this tour will be the absolute highlight of your Osaka stay:) You'll get a very unique pespective where you will discover 5 authentic, delicious eateries on this tour… food from a hidden restaurant , backstreet stall, specialized eatery, standing joint & markets whilst walking through arcades, side alleys and plazas rarely visited or known by foreigners. Also Andy strives to show you the real and deep Osaka giving you an understanding of the inner workings of this amazing area visiting some vintage, real, architecture so rich in history while interacting with the locals.

See and do exactly what you want on this private and customizable half-day walking tour of Osaka. Your local guide will aim to show you a range of historic and modern sites in Japan’s second-largest city. Choose to visit highlights including Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building, the Dotombori District, and more. Your guide will meet you at your hotel so you won’t have to worry about finding them.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll around the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the tour groups arrive, visit Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and walk through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari (Shrine) before the midday heat.

Discover the culinary traditions of Japan in Osaka, one of Japan’s best food cities, during this small-group cooking lesson. Learn the preparation methods for popular Japanese dishes including green tea, takoyaki (fried balls of wheat flour and octopus), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), and miso soup. Expand your Japanese cuisine knowledge, and best of all, you get to eat your creations when you’re finished. This small-group course, limited to just eight participants, also includes a guide, a cooking instructor, and an optional sake and beer tasting.

Cycle past a mix of Kyoto’s most-famous sights and its lesser-known secrets during this half-day ‘Hidden Kyoto’ bike tour. Take a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) ride that starts by winding past iconic Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, Koto-in, and Kitano Tenmagu. You’ll continue ‘off the beaten path,’ discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

Bike tours and food crawls are two much-loved traveler favorites—here’s your chance to combine both. Hop your own set of wheels and follow a private guide on the trail of Osaka’s most delectable food specialties. Stop to take in classic attractions, including Japan’s oldest temple, as you cruise between multiple stops, from a locally-run sushi shop to a bustling market for a bite of grilled wagyu beef.

Kyoto’s traditional neighborhoods and scenic parklands are ideal for exploring by bike. On this tour, save time by cycling around the city and visit five of Kyoto’s most popular attractions in one day. Enjoy stunning views of the Golden Pavilion and the Kiyomizu Temple; pose for photos by the red torri gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine; and hop off to stroll around the Bamboo Forest and explore the geisha district.

Take a deep-dive into Japanese culture and experience Osaka like a local on this evening walking tour. Join your Japanese-Australian guide, Andy, to explore the city’s historic districts, including the former ghetto and the Red Light district. Learn about Osaka’s history, heritage, and local traditions; venture down the backstreets to visit quirky sites often missed by travelers; and sample traditional street foods. Upgrade to include a delicious dinner of typical ‘kushikatsu’ cuisine.

Treat the family to a visit to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Osaka, a theme park with millions of the beloved toy bricks. Ride the theme park attractions, take a tour of the site's brick factory, and take a seat for a cinema 4D experience that you won't forget. Other highlights include a brick-making class so you can learn to make your own colorful creations.

This tour covers every part of the bamboo forest. By rickshaw and on foot! The first stop after cruising through the bustling main street is the bamboo forest. Enjoy the vivid green bamboo as your guide pulls you along the path reserved for rickshaws only, away from other visitors. Have your camera or mobile phone ready to take pictures. You don’t want to miss this. After passing by the Nonomiya Shrine you will enter the second part of the bamboo forest, which is designed like a little park. Here we can take great group pictures with the stunning green bamboo in the background. On the way to the third and last section of the bamboo forest, you will pass by a well-kept scene from the Edo period The third part of the bamboo forest can only be accessed on foot, so our guide will park the rickshaw within walking distance and then guide you to the most famous and impressive part of the bamboo forest. (To avoid the crowds here, we recommend starting the tour before noon)

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture by learning the steps to a traditional tea ceremony called the Way of Tea. During the hands-on experience, make a powered green tea known as matcha with help from an instructor in an ancient tea ceremony room. You’ll also be able to enjoy some Japanese sweets along with the tea.

WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT "SENTO"? ・We give you not only the knowledge but also the courage to try something you've never experienced before. ・We give you the essential tips from Japanese habits and customs on how to enjoy "Sento" before you try it. ・You will know all you need to try "Sento", from its history to the manner and how to take a bath the Japanese way. ・Provide you with some information about famous Japanese hot springs as well as its efficacy for your next trip plan. We meet at the cafe & bar and I will give you a lecture about Japanese "Sento" (public bathhouse) for about 15 minutes. We go to "Sento" together and you will be able to enjoy it for about 1 hour. (If you try Sauna : + JPY 300) After enjoying "Sento" come back to the cafe & bar where you can try some of the soul food of Osaka and drinks. Food: Takoyaki or Matcha/Vanilla Ice cream Drink: Craft Beer, Milk, Cafe Latte (If you have any allergy or anything you can't eat, please let us know in advance)

This private and customizable tour for Osaka is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.