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 Osaka’s 12 best 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 Day Food and Activity Tours – combine sightseeing, activities and relaxing with food in Osaka
Osaka Night Food Tours
‘ Osaka sparks to life at night with bright neon lights and the clash of glasses followed by kanpai (cheers)! As the smell of delicious food wafts through the streets, Osaka’s friendly locals get down to their serious business of eating, drinking and having a great time.
Tour 1 offers a unique and tasty tour in Tenma, a food-lovers paradise where the local hipsters go at night.
Dotonbori and Namba’s maze of eateries and bars, bright neon-lights and tourist spots is a favourite place to visit. Tour 2 is a fun bar hopping experience, while tour 3 specialises in delicious street food.
Tour 4 offers a perfect evening of Osaka’s cuisine and eateries, and tour 5 is a great value option. ‘
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:
| Tour | All-inclusive food | Location | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 >> | ✔ | Kyobashi Tenma | $$ | Book >> |
| 2 >> | Dotonbori Namba | $ | Book >> | |
| 3 >> | ✔ | Dotonbori Namba | $$$ | Book >> |
| 4 >> | ✔ | Dotonbori Namba | $$$ | Book >> |
| 5 >> | ✔ | Ameramura Dotonbori Namba Shinsaibashi | $ | Book >> |
Price per person based on two people attending a tour: $ = up to $75; $$ = between $76 & $124; $$$ = over $125. Some tours offer discounted rates for groups of more people.
1. Evening Food and Drink Tour in Osaka
Join an evening of fun on this all-inclusive food and drink walking tour in Osaka. Experience the culinary culture of two of Osaka’s most well-known gourmet areas – Tenma and Kyobashi.
Enjoy a memorable night in Osaka on this highly-rated food and drinks tour!
- All-inclusive food and drinks, walking and culture tour
- Savour local delicacies like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables)
- Hang out with locals at three tachinomiya (standing bars)
- Learn about Japan’s after-dark entertainment scene
- Expert and knowledgeable Osaka food and drinks (and fun!) guide
- Optional upgrade: Premium Kobe wagyu (or locally sourced) beef
- Includes a minimum of five dishes, three drinks and a train ticket!
- Location: Kyobashi and Tenma
- Price: $$
- Duration and start time: 3 hours (approx.), 6pm
Book Osaka Evening Food & Drink Tour >>
There are two options for this tour:
- All-inclusive with Viator with an optional premium beef upgrade
- Excluding food and drinks plan with Voyagin (expect to pay an extra 2,500 JPY)
2. 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 >>
3. 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: $$$
- Location: Dotonbori and Namba
- Duration & start time: 3 hours, 6 pm
Book Osaka Street Food Tour >>
Compare prices and availability with Get Your Guide and Viator.
4. Osaka Night Food Tour
Experience an unforgettable night food tour through the historical streets of Osaka. Sample delicious food as you move between neon-lit tourist spots, to side streets and hidden alleys.
A perfect tour for food-lovers to see Osaka at night!
- Enjoy classic dishes from Osaka and Japanese food
- Explore Dotonbori (famous for its dazzling neon lights) and secret local spots
- Savour Osaka’s tasty kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables), and takoyaki (octopus balls) from a Michelin-rated street food shop
- Meet the locals at an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) and visit a hip bar
- Includes multiple dishes at four food stops and one drink
- Price: $$$
- Location: Dotonbori and Namba
- Duration & start time: 3 hours, 5 pm (meet-up 4.45 pm)
5. Osaka Backstreet Night Tour
Discover where the locals eat and drink on this Osaka backstreet tour with locals. Explore different parts of the city as you eat and drink along the way.
Excellent food and drink walking tour with karaoke to finish!
- Enjoy the unique and friendly atmosphere of an izakaya (Japanese-style pub)
- Savour fresh sushi, yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) and local speciality takoyaki (octopus balls)
- Visit four different areas around south Osaka
- Sing your heart out at a karaoke bar to finish the night
- Includes an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) dinner, one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink and an ‘Osaka Pub Passport’ (with discounts of 3,000 Yen)
- Price: $
- Location: Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and Amemura
- Duration & start time: 3 hours (approx.), 6 pm
Book Osaka Backstreet Night Tour >>
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 6 offers an excellent excursion which includes Kuromon Market and many of Osaka’s most famous gourmet places, including Shinsekai. While tour 7 visits the market and surrounding food and culinary spots.
For Kuromon Market only trips, tour 8 is a perfect budget-friendly option. Whereas, tour 9 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:
| Tour | Start time | Location | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 >> | 5 pm | Kuromon Market Doguyasuji Dotonbori Shinsekai | $$ | Book >> |
| 7 >> | 10.45 am | Kuromon Market Doguyasuji Dotonbori Namba | $$ | Book >> |
| 8 >> | 11 am | Kuromon Market | $ | Book >> |
| 9 >> | 9 am | Kuromon Market | $$$ | Book >> |
Price per person based on two people attending a tour: $ = up to $75; $$ = between $76 & $124; $$$ = over $125. Some tours offer discounted rates for groups of more people.
6. Osaka: Soul of Kansai Tour with Japanese Snacks
Visit four Osaka food spots on this soul of Kansai tour. From bustling markets to lantern-lit streets and bright neon-lights, you’ll get a feel for everyday life in the city.
An excellent tour to see some of the best places in Osaka.
- Experience Kuromon Market with its tasty food stalls and rich aromas
- See countless kitchen utensils and fake food where restaurant owners shop
- Sample kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood, meat and vegetables) at its birthplace in the bizarre district of Shinsekai (meaning ‘New World’)
- Walk along the Dotonbori canal with its famous Glico running man
- Try Osaka favourite takoyaki (octopus balls)
- Price: $$
- Location: Kuromon Market, Doguyasuji, Dotonbori and Shinsekai
- Duration & start time: 3.5 hours, 5 pm
7. 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: $$
- Location: Kuromon Market, Doguyasuji, Dotonbori and Namba
- Duration & start time: 3 hours, 10.45 am
Book Kuromon Market & Namba Food Tour >>
Compare prices and availability with Viator and Get Your Guide.
8. Kuromon Market Food Walking Tour in Osaka
Enjoy a walking tour of Kuromon Market and taste local Osaka and Japanese food. Discover Kuromon Market’s culture and the warm-hearted people that work there.
Taste Osaka’s fantastic food at Kuromon Market and discover the cities reputation as the ‘Kitchen of the Nation’.
- Sample foods including Osaka’s takoyaki (octopus balls) and oden (Japanese-style stew)
- Learn about Kuromon Market’s history and cuisine
- Discover Osaka’s food culture from your local and friendly guide
- Find unique Japanese kitchen utensils and tableware
- Includes several food tastings
- Price: $
- Location: Kuromon Market
- Duration & start time: 2 hours, 11 am
Book Kuromon Market Walking Tour >>
9. Explore Osaka’s Kuromon Market Food Tour
Enjoy a guided deep-dive food tour through Osaka’s Kuromon Market, famous for its local and Japanese cuisine. Let your taste buds run wild as you sample tasty dishes from Osaka’s street food to premium quality beef.
Get a market insiders perspective on the food and drink, the people who work there, and the Osakan way of life.
- Sample tasty food like Wagyu beef, toro (fatty tuna) sushi, fresh scallops, fish cakes and yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) and pickles
- Try Michelin-rated local favourite takoyaki (octopus balls)
- Savour wagashi (sweets) and Japanese tea
- Learn about Kuromon Market’s history and Osaka’s local food specialities
- Includes multiple dishes at five food stops, dessert and one drink
- Price: $$$
- 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 Day Food and Activity Tours
‘ Combine food and drink with activities or relaxing on these daytime experiences in Osaka.
Take the path less travelled by bike on tour 10 and you’ll be rewarded with some of Osaka’s best food experiences.
For a day of pure luxury, tour 11 offers Japan’s fine kaiseki cuisine and relaxation at an onsen (hot springs) resort.
Or, try something different and have fun making fake food on tour 12. ‘
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:
| Tour | Activity | Location | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 >> | Cycling | Shinsekai Tennoji Tsuruhashi | $ | Book >> |
| 11 >> | Onsen hot springs Cultural experience | Fudouguchikan Izumisano (pick-up) | $$$ | Book >> |
| 12 >> | Fake food making | Dotonbori Namba | $$ | Book >> |
Price per person based on two people attending a tour: $ = up to $75; $$ = between $76 & $124; $$$ = over $125. Some tours offer discounted rates for groups of more people.
10. Half Day Foodie Bike Tour
Combine the freedom of cycling 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 >>
11. 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: $$$
- Location: Fudouguchikan with transfers from Izumisano City
- Duration & start time: 5.5 hours, 10.30-10.45 am
Book Kaiseki Lunch & Hot Springs >>
12. Dotonbori Food Crawl & Fake Food Tour
Enjoy tasty snacks around Dotonbori and have a go at making some fake food! Start your tour with a food crawl and taste some of Osaka’s favourite dishes.
A family-friendly day out combining local food, sightseeing and a fun activity.
- Visit Dotonbori’s brightly-coloured cityscape
- Dive down hidden alleyways and see a quiet temple
- Savour tasty snacks including takoyaki (octopus balls)
- Try your hand at making fake food samples and take your work home
- Includes two to three small dishes and your fake food sample
- Price: $$
- Location: Dotbonbori and Namba
- Duration and start time: 2.5 hours, 1 pm
Book Food Crawl & Fake Food Tour >>
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