According to USNews, Osaka, the "port city is worth a visit for its food alone." In Osaka, there are historical ruins, a bustling area with a modern city, and nature surrounded by mountains in three directions. Therefore, many flower viewing spots represent the Kansai region. The annual cherry blossom season in Osaka is from late March to early April.
To meet cherry blossoms in spring or fall foliage, we'll take you to one of the most famous viewing ports in Osaka: The Osaka Castle. We can’t miss the famous “Dotonbori”. This is the busiest food street in Osaka, with delicious restaurants to choose from. Nearby you can go to Shinsaibashi, which is a whole shopping street.
From Port of Osaka, we also can take you to Kyoto for a day tour.
Our Japan shore excursions are designed by Western destination experts who live in Japan along with local Japanese tour specialists to showcase all the best attractions in Japan and provide a unique understanding of Japan from a Western perspective. In particular, we know where to find cherry blossoms and autumn leaves in Osaka that most cruise lines do not emphasize in their shore excursion programs.
Take a private tour of Osaka's cherry blossom attractions with an English-speaking guide. Unlike your cruise line's shore excursions, you'll be able to experience the cherry blossoms at Osaka Castle, Namba Shrine, and Expo '70 Park on this tour. You won't enjoy the most beautiful fall foliage with your regular shore excursions sold by your cruise line.
Cruise passengers: You may get this excursion for FREE if you book the cruise through us or transferring your existing reservation to us (meaning we are your travel agent who booked the cruise for you with nothing changed). Please contact us to learn how.
Below is a sample schedule. We'll customize it to fit your ship's docking hours.
09:00
Depart for Osaka Port for Osaka Castle.
11:00
Head to Shiennoji Temple, the earliest Buddhist temple in Japan.
12:00
Dotonbori and Shisaibashi- eating and shopping. This is the best place for lunch.
16:00
Head back to Osaka Port.
Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks. It played a crucial role in the unification of Japan in the sixteenth century during the Momoyama-Azuchi period. The Nishinomaru Garden in Osaka Castle, surrounded by important cultural properties, has a total of 300 cherry trees, mainly the Someiyoshino cherry trees. The stone wall made of stone engraved with the motifs of daimyo from various places at that time, and the five defensive turrets, including the Senkan turret that protected the castle, can only be seen in Osaka Castle Park, the contrast between the thickness of the stone wall and the gorgeous and light weight of the cherry blossoms.
Shitennoji Temple is the earliest true Buddhist temple in Japan founded by Prince Shotoku in 593 AD. The layout of the Niomon Gate, the five-storied pagoda, the Golden Hall, and the lecture hall are arranged in sequence from south to north, which is called the Shitennoji-style architectural layout. It is one of the oldest architectural styles in Japan. Today's Shitennoji Temple still retains the state when it was founded. There are many things to see in Shitennoji Temple, such as the Treasure Museum, which houses many national treasures and cultural relics from the time of its founding, and the Japanese garden Jiraku Pure Land Garden.
"Kuromon Market" is a shopping street located in Minami Ward, the center of Osaka. The name of the market comes from a nearby temple called Yuanming Temple. Because the gate of the temple is dark black, people call the market near the temple "Kuromon Market". In this market, the conger eels in summer and puffer fish in winter are quite famous, so about 10% of the fresh fish shops have signs saying they are puffer fish specialty shops. There are about 150 various shops in this area with a total length of about 580 meters, and the road is always filled with an endless stream of people.
Amerika-mura, often referred to as Amemura by locals, is a vibrant district in Osaka that stands as a symbol of youth culture and fashion. This area is known for its eclectic mix of urban apparel, hip-hop wear, and vintage clothing stores, attracting fashion enthusiasts and trendsetters. With a history dating back to the 1970s, Amerika-mura has evolved into a cultural hub with a diverse range of foreigner-friendly bars, restaurants, and cafes, offering a unique blend of Japanese and international flavors. The neighborhood's lively atmosphere is further enhanced by its street performances and flea markets, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring Osaka's dynamic urban scene.
The name “Dotonbori” generally refers both to the Dotonbori Canal and to Dotonbori Street which runs parallel to the canal’s southern bank. It is one of the most colorful areas in Osaka and an absolute must-visit location when traveling through Kansai region. Osaka’s obsession with food is often summed up with the expression “kuidaore” which is often interpreted to mean “eat till you drop” but actually means to spend so much on food that you fall into financial ruin! Dotonbori is said to be the best place in Osaka to experience this kuidaore style extreme love of food!
Shinsaibashi is one of Osaka's oldest and most exciting shopping districts, with a wide range of brand name stores, independent retailers and boutiques. Nearly 2,000 feet (600 meters) long, this covered shopping street is a vibrant landmark throughout the downtown area. The history of Shinsaibashi dates back to the Edo period, which means it has been a shopping area for nearly 4 centuries. Today, it has become the most fashionable place in Osaka and is well-known far and wide. The bustling shops in the area attract a large number of locals and tourists.
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Jeju Island, Busan, Incheon (Seoul), Sokcho
We highly recommend that you book our shore excursions now if you will be taking a cruise in 2024. 2023 has already seen large crowds, and 2024 will see even more. We expect many tourists will be unable to book their shore excursions in 2024, so please make your plan as soon as possible.
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