Osaka is Japan's second-largest city after Tokyo, and it's a vibrant metropolis. It concentrates about 7% of Japan's population and about 9% of the country's foreign population.
Osaka is also known as a gourmet city, often called "Kuidaore no Machi" (the city where people eat till they drop). "Kuidaore" means spending so much money on food and drink that you go broke. Osaka's cuisine is so exquisite that even I find myself indulging in various dishes when I visit, only to realize later that my wallet has become significantly lighter.
However, with so many delicious options, it can be challenging for tourists to fully experience Osaka's culinary delights.
That's why I recommend Osaka food tours. While Osaka has countless restaurants that might confuse visitors about where to go, food tours allow you to enjoy authentic Osaka cuisine at carefully selected establishments chosen by local experts.
In this article, I'll introduce you to food tours that will let you fully savor Osaka's gourmet offerings.
What are the local specialties of Osaka, one of Japan's premier gourmet cities?
Osaka's local specialties include "takoyaki," "kushikatsu," and "okonomiyaki."
"Takoyaki" originated in Osaka and is a ping-pong ball-sized spherical snack made from a wheat flour-based batter with octopus in the center.
"Kushikatsu" also originated in Osaka and consists of skewered meat and vegetables that are battered and deep-fried.
While "okonomiyaki" didn't originate in Osaka, it developed its own unique style there, making Osaka the "home" of this dish. It's made by mixing a wheat flour-based batter with cabbage, meat, seafood, and other ingredients, then cooking it flat on an iron griddle.
All these dishes are typically eaten with their own distinct, thick sauces. In this article, we'll introduce Osaka food tours that allow you to indulge in these Osaka specialties.
5 Recommended Tours to Fully Enjoy Osaka's Gourmet Cuisine
Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour (15 Dishes) - Feast Like a Local
Source:Viator
This Osaka food tour, "Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour (15 Dishes) - Feast Like a Local," takes you through Shinsekai, one of Osaka's bustling entertainment districts, visiting 5 eateries and sampling 15 different dishes. The food you'll try includes takoyaki, kushikatsu, karaage (fried chicken), and oden - all popular dishes deeply ingrained in Osaka locals' daily lives.
Behind Shinsekai stands the Tsutenkaku Tower, one of Osaka's tourist attractions. You can admire this tower while walking through the streets of Shinsekai.
This tour is recommended for those who want to experience the lively and vibrant Osaka, which has prospered as a merchant city for centuries. Not only will you explore the main streets, but you'll also venture into backstreets known only to locals, allowing you to experience a deeper side of Osaka.
Note that ordering dishes or drinks outside of those specified in the tour will incur additional charges. To fully enjoy the experience, it's recommended to bring extra money if you plan on ordering additional items.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: Ebisucho Station
- Tour area: Shinsekai
- Start time: 17:30
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
This Osaka food tour allows you to enjoy both Osaka's gourmet cuisine and its rich history. Regarding food, you'll walk through two of Osaka's representative entertainment districts, Shinsekai and Dotonbori, sampling takoyaki, kushikatsu, and okonomiyaki. The walking route includes not only the neon-lit main streets but also ancient shrines and alleys that give you a glimpse of Japan from about 80 years ago. You can fully enjoy the cityscape where modern and traditional cultures blend.
This tour, which covers both Shinsekai and Dotonbori and lets you enjoy not only the food but also the cityscape, is recommended for those who want to fully experience Osaka. You can spend a fulfilling 3 hours with locals.
Even though I've been to Osaka many times, I learned a lot of insider information from the guide that I wouldn't have known if I had explored Osaka on my own.
One of the highlights of this tour is discovering charming spots in Osaka that only locals know about.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: Imamiya Ebisu Station, Nankai Koya Line
- Tour areas: Shinsekai, Dotonbori
- Start times: 11:30, 16:30, 17:30
Osaka Food Tour (13 Delicious Dishes at 5 Local Eateries)
Source:Viator
Are you familiar with the popular Netflix series "Somebody Feed Phil"? It's a show where Phil, a TV drama scriptwriter, eats his way through various cities around the world. On this Osaka food tour, "Osaka Food Tour (13 Delicious Dishes at 5 Local Eateries)," you can visit the eateries featured in "Somebody Feed Phil."
The foods you'll try on this tour include gyoza, kitsune udon, and takoyaki - all representative dishes of Osaka. This tour is recommended even for those unfamiliar with "Somebody Feed Phil."
This tour received the "Viator's 10th Best Experience in the Whole of Asia Award" in 2024, making it one of the top-rated tours among Viator's offerings, which are popular worldwide. It's a tour loved by people from all over the world, guaranteed to be fulfilling. Please consider participating!
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: The Westside
- Tour area: Shinsekai
- Start time: 17:30
Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour in Osaka
The "Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour in Osaka" allows you to fully enjoy Kuromon Market, one of Osaka's representative markets. In this massive market with over 130 shops, you can enjoy gourmet foods made with fresh ingredients and purchase high-quality kitchen utensils favored by professional chefs.
After fully experiencing Kuromon Market, you'll extend your journey to visit Hozenji Temple and Dotonbori. Although these three locations are in the same area, they each have completely different atmospheres, allowing you to enjoy Osaka without getting bored.
The charm of this Osaka food tour lies in having a local guide who can show you the truly delicious shops in Kuromon Market, where the sheer number of stores can be overwhelming.
This tour is recommended for those who want to thoroughly enjoy the historic market. I participated in this tour myself and found it very enjoyable as I was able to visit slightly off-the-beaten-path places that I wouldn't have gone to on my own.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: In front of the SMBC ATM at Nipponbashi 1-chome near Kintetsu Nipponbashi Station
- Tour areas: Kuromon Market, Hozenji Temple, Dotonbori
- Start times: 10:00, 11:00
Eat, Drink, Cycle: Osaka Food and Bike Tour
source:Tripadvisor
On this Osaka food tour, you'll explore the streets of southern Osaka by bicycle while enjoying Osaka's food culture. The first destination is Osaka Castle Park, where you can enjoy nature-rich scenery that contrasts with the urban environment. You can also see Osaka Castle, one of Osaka's famous tourist spots, up close.
After enjoying local food nearby, you'll head to Koreatown for the final part of the journey. In Koreatown, you can enjoy a unique atmosphere and delicious food that differ from the city center.
The highlight of this journey is the ability to enjoy Osaka's cityscape while feeling the pleasant breeze as you cycle. Moreover, the food tastes even more delicious after exercising.
Since you'll be cycling long distances, make sure to get a good night's sleep the day before and participate with full energy.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: 1-chōme-10-7 Tenma, Kita Ward, Osaka
- Tour areas: Osaka Castle Park, Tsuruhashi
- Start time: 10:30
3 Tours to Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine at Izakayas While Savoring Osaka's Nightlife
Osaka Bar Hopping Night Tour in Namba
The "Osaka Bar Hopping Night Tour in Namba" is one of the Osaka food tours that allows you to enjoy Osaka's nightlife while visiting three izakayas.
The first stop is Hozenji Yokocho. Originally a temple precinct, Hozenji Yokocho offers a retro atmosphere with its stone-paved streets gently illuminated by orange lanterns, where you can enjoy food and drinks.
Next, you'll head to an area called Ura-Namba. First, you'll savor classic Osaka cuisine like kushikatsu, then enjoy unique Japanese dishes that are lesser-known to tourists.
This Osaka food tour is recommended for those who want to enjoy a leisurely evening in Osaka. All three establishments you'll visit have a relaxed atmosphere that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
My favorite part of this tour is the time after leaving the third establishment, on the way back to Namba Station. As you walk through Dotonbori, seeing the neon lights of the city and the crowds of people while slightly tipsy creates a peaceful feeling.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: Subway Namba Station Exit 15-B
- Tour areas: Hozenji Yokocho, Namba, Dotonbori
- Start times: 18:00, 19:00
Deep Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Temma, Osaka
source:Tripadvisor
The "Deep Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Temma, Osaka" is another excellent option among Osaka food tours. It allows you to enjoy Japanese cuisine and drinks at three establishments around Temma. This tour visits a renowned yakitori restaurant, a place famous for its fish dishes made with fresh seafood, and an izakaya specializing in sake.
In between, you can walk through Lantern Street, a photogenic spot where lanterns are hung so densely you can't see the ceiling, and the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, Japan's longest shopping arcade. Lantern Street is particularly beautiful, contrasting well with the darkness of the night.
This Osaka food tour takes you bar-hopping in areas popular with locals rather than typical tourist spots. You'll get a stronger sense of the nightlife enjoyed by Osaka locals. It's also recommended for those interested in Japanese "drinking party culture."
Note that sake is a relatively strong alcohol, so those with low alcohol tolerance should be careful. However, the food at these establishments is delicious, so you can thoroughly enjoy the tour even if you don't drink!
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: Tenma Station
- Tour area: Temma
- Start times: 17:00, 18:00, 19:00
Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours
Source:Viator
"Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours" is an Osaka food tour that allows you to gain a deep understanding of Osaka. While visiting many places related to Osaka's history, it also takes you to areas not typically included in standard tours, such as former red-light districts and poverty-stricken areas.
As you walk around Osaka's streets, you can also enjoy light meals from food stalls. This allows you to experience the food stall culture, and food eaten outdoors often tastes even better than usual.
This tour is recommended for those who want to see less mainstream aspects of the city, as the places visited are not famous tourist spots. It's also great for first-time visitors to Osaka, as you'll see places that aren't often shown on TV or social media.
Note that this tour doesn't include alcohol, so if you want to enjoy drinks, choose one of the bar-hopping tours mentioned earlier.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: FamilyMart MYS Daikokucho Station
- Tour area: Daikokucho
- Start time: 17:30
Private Tours are Recommended for Those Who Want to Enjoy a Relaxed Tour with Locals!
Osaka Street Food Tour with a Local Foodie: Private & 100% Personalized
source:Tripadvisor
The "Osaka Street Food Tour with a Local Foodie" is a personalized Osaka food tour where you can enjoy 6-8 types of dishes at 2-3 eateries. A guide familiar with the surrounding area will listen to your preferences and mood for the day to create a one-of-a-kind gourmet tour tailored just for you.
One of the highlights of this tour is that in addition to eateries, you can also visit recommended spots like a renowned knife shop that has been making knives for over 120 years, or streets decorated with ukiyo-e, traditional Japanese paintings.
Spending time enjoying your favorite things at your own pace, leveraging the experiences of locals, is guaranteed to be fulfilling. If you have specific foods you want to try in Osaka, this tour is highly recommended.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: Starbucks Coffee - Tsutaya Ebisubashi
- Tour areas: Namba, Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho, Kuromon Market
- Start times: 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00
6 Hours Private Foodie Tour from Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market
source:Tripadvisor
The "6 Hours Private Foodie Tour from Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market" is an extensive Osaka food tour that efficiently covers Osaka's attractions over 6 hours. You can learn about Japanese history at Osaka Castle, one of Japan's traditional structures, indulge in gourmet food at Kuromon Market, one of Osaka's representative markets, and walk through Dotonbori, one of Osaka's symbolic entertainment districts. Additionally, you'll visit places tailored to your preferences.
The charm of this tour lies in the ability to enjoy Osaka at a leisurely pace. As it's a private tour, you can spend time on your interests at your own pace without worrying about others. Moreover, having a local guide ensures you can reach your destinations via the shortest routes without getting lost in Osaka's sometimes confusing streets, allowing you to enjoy the experience with peace of mind.
<Tour Information>
- Meeting point: [Not specified in the original text]
- Tour areas: Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street, Sennichimae Shopping Street, Dotonbori, Hozenji
- Start time: 9:30