Osaka Food Tours: 15 Best Food and Drink Experiences

Osaka is a city obsessed with food, and there’s no better place to experience Japanese cuisine. Enjoying a food tour in Osaka is the best way to savour the fantastic food and soulful vibes of the city.

Kuidaore as the friendly locals say, which means ‘to ruin oneself by extravagance in food’ sums up perfectly Osaka’s gourmet culture. You’ll find every food imaginable here, from Michelin starred restaurants to deliciously addictive local dishes.

To save you time to enjoy the food, I’ve hand-picked the highest rated (4.5+ out of 5) Osaka food and drink experiences.

Here are my top 15 best Osaka food tours!

Osaka Food Tours by Type: Quick Links

• Osaka Night Food Tours – enjoy Osaka’s legendary gourmet and hospitality culture during a neon-lit night
• Kuromon Market Osaka Food Tours – experience Osaka’s famous market on its own or combined with other gourmet spots
• Osaka Daytime Food and Activity Tours – combine food with photography, a bike tour or relaxing with food in Osaka

Osaka Night Food Tours

‘  Eat as the locals do on tour 1, as you tuck into Osaka’s best soul and street foods. With six to eight dishes and two drinks, it’s an excellent-value option.

Or get the same food and drink deal and hang out in my favourite Osaka neighbourhood Ura Namba on tour 2. An eclectic mix of restaurants and bars in a maze of narrow streets away from the tourist crowds.

Tour 3 is a popular and highly-recommended all-inclusive food experience in Dotonbori and Shinsekai. Or eat till you drop in Shinsekai, and beyond on authentic tour 4 – with ten dishes and two drinks with Osaka insider guides, it’s incredibly good value.

Get off the beaten track on tour 5 which offers a unique and tasty tour in Tenma, a food lovers paradise where the local hipsters go at night. Or try tour 6, a fun and friendly bar-hopping experience where you’re in control of your budget.

Tour 7 takes you on a delicious Osaka and Japanese journey around Dotonbori and Namba. And finally, tour 8 wraps up Osaka’s best evening gourmet experiences with classic local street food.

Need some more help choosing the best experience for you? Try my Osaka night food tour at a glance comparison guide ‘

Price per person based on two people attending a tour: $ = up to $80; $$ = between $81 & $124; $$$ = over $125. Some tours offer discounted rates for groups of more people.

1. Eat Like a Local in Osaka: Street Food Experience

Eat until you drop on this gourmet adventure around Japan’s most-famous food city. Tuck into local favourites as you stroll around the neon-lit backstreets of Dotonbori.

Discover the cities best cuisine on this unforgettable Osaka street food tour.

• Savour Osaka’s delicious soul and street foods, like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables), takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (Osaka-style savoury pancake)
• Eat like a local and learn about the origin of Osaka’s cuisine
• Try other lesser-known regional delicacies and traditional Japanese dishes
• Wander around lantern-lit alleys in the heart of Osaka’s food scene
• Includes six to eight food tastings, two drinks (beer or soft drinks), personalised walking tour and hotel meet-up (on request)
• Price: $$
• Location: Dotonbori, Namba
• Duration and start time: 3 hours, flexible start time

Book Eat Like a Local Osaka Street Food Tour >>

2. Food Experience in Osaka’s Ura Namba Neighbourhood

Experience Ura Namba’s vibrant food scene as you eat your way around a maze of neon-lit alleyways. Ura Namba (meaning ‘behind Namba’) is a must-visit hidden gem tucked away from the tourist crowds.

Don’t miss this opportunity for a real Osaka gourmet experience!

• Discover local, Japanese and fusion cuisine in this lively neighbourhood
• Meet the locals in this super-cool and buzzing part of the city
• Visit izakayas (Japanese-style pubs), tachinomiya (standing bars) and quirky bars
• Choose places to eat you like the look of or allow your guide to show the way
• Includes six to eight food tastings, two drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), private and personalised food walking tour and hotel meet-up (on request)
• Price: $$
• Location: Ura Namba (the area between Namba and Nippombashi stations)
• Duration and start time: 3 hours, flexible start time

Ura Namba Food Experience >>

3. Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Savour Osaka’s soul foods while walking around two of the cities famous culinary spots. Explore the narrow streets and hidden alleyways of Namba away from the crowds.

Enjoy a great-value all-inclusive night food tour in Osaka.

• Eat kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables) in their birthplace – Shinsekai
• Walk around the backstreets before seeing Dotonbori’s neon-lights
  Tuck into takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (Osaka-style savour pancake)
• Visit a Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple
• Includes three dishes, one drink and walking tour
• Price: $
• Location: Shinsekai and Dotonbori
• Duration and start time: 3 hours, 4.30 pm 

Book Osaka Local Foodie Tour >>

4. Authentic Osaka Food and Drink Tour in Shinsekai

Explore Osaka’s authentic eateries in Shinsekai on this excellent-value and highly-rated food and drink tour. Get the best of both worlds as you tuck into Osaka’s famous soul foods and Japanese specialities.

Enjoy an unforgettable gastronomic journey with passionate and fun-loving locals.

• Savour delicious Osakan dishes kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), takoyaki (octopus balls) and tofu udon, and bluefin tuna sashimi, karaage (deep-fried chicken) and more
• Experience Shinseakai’s retro neon-lit streets and off-the-beaten-path alleyways
• Visit five authentic eateries: izakaya (Japanese-style pub), tachinomiya (standing bar), market, backstreet stall and restaurant
• Choose from local drinks like sake, craft beer, chuhai (shochu and lemon), highball (whisky and soda) and more
• Includes 10 dishes from 5 places, two drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and souvenir chopsticks
• Price: $$
• Location: Shinsekai and Nishinari
• Duration and start time: 3 hours, 5.30pm

Book Authentic Osaka Food and Drink Tour >>

5. Evening Food and Drink Tour in Osaka

Join an evening of fun on this all-inclusive food and drink walking tour in Osaka. Experience the culinary culture of two of Osaka’s most well-known gourmet areas – Tenma and Kyobashi.

Enjoy a memorable night in Osaka on this highly-rated food and drinks tour!

• All-inclusive food and drinks, walking and culture tour
• Savour local delicacies like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables)
• Hang out with locals at three tachinomiya (standing bars)
• Learn about Japan’s after-dark entertainment scene
• Expert and knowledgeable Osaka food and drinks (and fun!) guide
• Optional upgrade: Premium Kobe wagyu (or locally sourced) beef
• Includes a minimum of five dishes, three drinks and a train ticket!
• Location: Kyobashi and Tenma
• Price: $$
• Duration and start time: 3 hours (approx.), 6pm

Book Osaka Evening Food & Drink Tour >>

6. Osaka Bar Hopping Tour in Namba

Explore hidden bars and pubs down alleyways on this bar hopping tour of Osaka’s lively Namba district. Taste delicious food and drinks and discover Osaka’s bustling nightlife.

Meet travellers and friendly, outgoing locals on this food and bar crawl.

• Walk the narrow streets and see the neon-lights at Dotonbori and Namba
• Visit three izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) with a local guide
• Try Osaka cuisine like takoyaki (octopus balls) and Japanese dishes
• Bring cash to buy your own food and drink (around 1,000 – 2,000 JPY per bar)
• Includes some Japanese sake
• Price: $
• Location: Namba and Dotonbori
• Duration and start time: 3 hours, 6 pm

Book Osaka Bar Hopping Tour >>

Compare Osaka night food tours: At a glance guide

To help you decide which evening food tour is best for you, I’ve created a comparison table:

Price per person based on two people attending a tour: $ = up to $80; $$ = between $81 & $124; $$$ = over $125. Some tours offer discounted rates for groups of more people.

7. Osaka Night Food Tour

Experience an unforgettable night food tour through the historic streets of Osaka. Sample delicious food as you move between neon-lit tourist spots, to side streets and hidden alleys.

A perfect tour for food-lovers to see Osaka at night!

• Enjoy classic dishes from Osaka and Japanese food
• Explore Dotonbori (famous for its dazzling neon lights) and secret local spots
• Savour Osaka’s tasty kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables), and takoyaki (octopus balls) from a Michelin-rated street food shop
• Meet the locals at an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) and visit a hip bar
• Includes multiple dishes at four food stops and one drink
• Price: $$$
• Location: Dotonbori and Namba
• Duration & start time: 3 hours, 5 pm (meet-up 4.45 pm)

Book Osaka Night Food Tour >>

8. Osaka Evening Street Food Hopping Tour

Discover Osaka’s delicious street food as you hop between food stalls. Known as the ‘kitchen of Japan’, you’ll find out why Osaka got that name.

Feast on local and Japanese dishes on this night food and walking tour.

• Explore Osaka’s buzzing Dotonbori district with its dazzling neon-lights
• Eat Osaka’s classic dishes, like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables), takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (Osaka-style savoury pancake)
• Experience the local way of life as you move from food stands and shops
• Wash down your food with beer and sake and get travel tips from your local guide
• Includes dinner with alcoholic or soft drinks
• Price: $$$
• Location: Dotonbori and Namba
• Duration & start time: 3 hours, 6 pm

Book Osaka Street Food Tour >>

Compare prices and availability with Get Your Guide and Viator.

Kuromon Market Osaka Tours

‘ Known as ‘Osaka’s kitchen’, Kuromon Market is a lively place full of delicious food stalls and restaurants. You’ll find all manner of seafood, meat and vegetables along its 580 metres length.

Tour 9 offers an excellent excursion which includes Kuromon Market and many of Osaka’s most famous gourmet places, including Shinsekai. While tour 10 visits the market and surrounding food and culinary spots.

For Kuromon Market only trips, tour 11 is a perfect budget-friendly option. Whereas, tour 12 offers a premium gourmet experience and more in-depth dive into Kuromon Market’s culture.’

Compare Kuromon Market food tours: At a glance guide

To help you decide which Kuromon Market food tour is best for you, I’ve created a comparison table:

Price per person based on two people attending a tour: $ = up to $80; $$ = between $81 & $124; $$$ = over $125. Some tours offer discounted rates for groups of more people.

9. Osaka: Soul of Kansai Tour with Japanese Snacks

Visit four Osaka food spots on this soul of Kansai tour. From bustling markets to lantern-lit streets and bright neon-lights, you’ll get a feel for everyday life in the city.

An excellent tour to see some of the best places in Osaka.

• Experience Kuromon Market with its tasty food stalls and rich aromas
• See countless kitchen utensils and fake food where restaurant owners shop
• Sample kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables) at its birthplace in the bizarre district of Shinsekai (meaning ‘New World’)
• Walk along the Dotonbori canal with its famous Glico running man
• Try Osaka favourite takoyaki (octopus balls)
• Price: $$
• Location: Kuromon Market, Doguyasuji, Dotonbori and Shinsekai
• Duration & start time: 3.5 hours, 5 pm

Book Soul of Kansai Tour >>

10. Food and Walking Tour in Osaka Namba and Kuromon Market

Savour delicious Osakan and Japanese cuisine on this Kuromon Market and Namba walking tour. Learn about the market and other classic food places in Osaka.

Eat till you drop Osaka-style on this food tour!

• Taste a delicious assortment of snacks at Kuromon Market sushi, Wagyu beef cutlet, yakitori (grilled chicken skewer), oden (Japanese-style stew), takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (Osaka-style savoury pancake)
• Eat a delicious sushi set meal with miso soup
• Discover Kuromon Market where locals and professional chefs shop for food
• See Osaka’s kitchen shopping street before ending your tour at Dotonbori
• Includes sushi lunch, various snacks and mixed fruit juice
• Price: $$
• Location: Kuromon Market, Doguyasuji, Dotonbori and Namba 
• Duration & start time: 3 hours, 10.45 am

Book Kuromon Market & Namba Food Tour >>

Compare prices and availability with Viator and Get Your Guide.

11. Kuromon Market Food Walking Tour in Osaka

Enjoy a walking tour of Kuromon Market and taste local Osaka and Japanese food. Discover Kuromon Market’s culture and the warm-hearted people that work there.

Taste Osaka’s fantastic food at Kuromon Market and discover the cities reputation as the ‘Kitchen of the Nation’.

• Sample foods including Osaka’s takoyaki (octopus balls) and oden (Japanese-style stew)
• Learn about Kuromon Market’s history and cuisine
• Discover Osaka’s food culture from your local and friendly guide
• Find unique Japanese kitchen utensils and tableware
• Includes several food tastings
• Price: $
• Location: Kuromon Market
• Duration & start time: 2 hours, 11 am

Book Kuromon Market Walking Tour >>

12. Explore Osaka’s Kuromon Market Food Tour

Enjoy a guided deep-dive food tour through Osaka’s Kuromon Market, famous for its local and Japanese cuisine. Let your taste buds run wild as you sample tasty dishes from Osaka’s street food to premium quality beef.

Get a market insiders perspective on the food and drink, the people who work there, and the Osakan way of life.

• Sample tasty food like Wagyu beef, toro (fatty tuna) sushi, fresh scallops, fish cakes and yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) and pickles
• Try Michelin-rated local favourite takoyaki (octopus balls)
• Savour wagashi (sweets) and Japanese tea
• Learn about Kuromon Market’s history and Osaka’s local food specialities
• Includes multiple dishes at five food stops, dessert and one drink
• Price: $$$
• Location: Kuromon Market
• Duration & start time: 3 hours (approx.), 9 am (meet-up 8.45 am)

Book Kuromon Market Food Tour >>

Compare prices and availability with Viator and Voyagin.

Osaka Daytime Food and Activity Tours

‘ Combine food and drink with activities or relaxing on these daytime experiences in Osaka. For starters, how about sampling Osaka’s ideal for Instagram photogenic cuisine on tour 13. 

Take the path less travelled by bike on tour 14 and you’ll be rewarded with some of Osaka’s best food experiences.

For a day of pure luxury, tour 15 offers Japan’s fine kaiseki cuisine and relaxation at an onsen (hot springs) resort. ‘

Compare Osaka day food and activity tours: At a glance guide

To help you decide which day and activity food tour is best for you, I’ve created a comparison table:

Price per person based on two people attending a tour: $ = up to $80; $$ = between $81 & $124; $$$ = over $125. Some tours offer discounted rates for groups of more people.

13. Osaka-style Instagrammable Food Experience

Osaka is a food-obsessed city, and there’s no better place for sharing gourmet moments on Instagram. From Alice in Wonderland-themed cafes to creating your own okonomiyaki (Osaka-style pancake), you’ll love this food experience.

Savour tasty snacks and take photos of dishes that look too good to eat!

• Sample wacky and wonderful culinary treats like multi-coloured pancakes and ice cream
• Taste and snap eclectic dishes and irresistible street foods
• Visit Osaka’s picturesque parlours, themed cafes and kawaii (cute) eateries
• Choose your own places or leave it to your guide
• Includes six to eight food tastings (Instagrammable foods!), one drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), private and personalised food walking tour and hotel meet-up (on request)
• Price: $$
• Location: Central Osaka
• Duration and start time: 3 hours, flexible start time

Osaka Instagram Food Experience >>

14. Eat, Drink, Cycle: Osaka Food and Bike Tour

Combine the freedom of a bike tour with Osaka’s culinary delights on this foodie bike tour. Explore off the beaten track places in south Osaka with a knowledgeable local guide.

Get out and about like a local and enjoy delicious Osakan food!

• Start your tour with some typical Osaka-style street food
• Savour grilled BBQ Wagyu beef at Tsurushashi, Osaka’s ‘Korea Town’
• Experience a Japanese knife demonstration
• Visit Shittenoji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples
• Enjoy sushi and local favourite kushitatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables) to wrap up your day
• Includes four food stops and a bottle of water
• Price: $
• Location: Shinsekai, Tennoji and Tsurushashi
• Duration & start time: 3-4 hours (approx.), 9.30 am

Book Osaka Half Day Foodie Bike Tour >>

15. Kaiseki Lunch and Hot Springs Tour

Indulge yourself in a day of luxury with a traditional kaiseki (multi-course meal), hot springs and Japanese cultural experience. An excellent tour for people that want to kick back and relax.

Enjoy a hassle-free day with a delicious lunch!

• Round trip transfers and escorted local guide
• Relax as you soak in a natural open-air onsen
• Savour a luxurious multi-course kaiseki lunch – a gourmet highlight of your trip
• Enjoy a Japanese cultural experience such as origami (paper folding) or calligraphy
• A perfect start or finish to your trip in Osaka (departs near Kansai Airport)
• Includes kaiseki lunch, natural onsen hot springs, Japanese cultural experience and round-trip transfers
• Price: $$$
• Location: Fudouguchikan with transfers from Izumisano City
• Duration & start time: 5.5 hours, 10.30-10.45 am

Book Kaiseki Lunch & Hot Springs >>

If you’re travelling to Osaka, don’t miss an opportunity to take a food tour! With its rich gourmet heritage, it’s the perfect place to experience local, seasonal and Japanese cuisine.

Image: kimishowota, Alexander Smagin