As an ex-Assistant Food & Beverage Manager/Director for various prominant Hotels & Restaurants here in Japan and having been here since 1983, I kind of know my way around Japanese food and sake.
Let me give you a tour that you not soon forget. Be ready.
CROSS Hotel Lobby in Namba
We will meet to discuss what you have done so far in Japan and I will make an assessment as to where we will go on our excursion that evening.
We will set off and hit four or five amazing food establishments that will not only give you a sense of what local Osakans are munching on, but I throw in all the history of food, sake and the surrounding area also.
I will provide you with good food and good sake as we rub some elbows with locals along the way.
I will get you headed in the direction of where you need to end up.
I will get you headed in the direction of where you need to end up.
Over 7000 places to eat in the Dotonbori & Namba area. We will hit places that may have a restaurant front now but a few years ago were street vendors and we may slide into a hole in the wall here and there.
It's about trying what folks here in Osaka are famous for and not go to places that have been bought up by non-Japanese and have inferior products to offer. So no franchise places either.
Osaka was the first place outside food was allowed into the country for a long time, so they got the chance here to explore with many new concepts and ingredients before the rest of Japan could. That is why Osaka is known as 'Japan's Kitchen'.
I have lived in nine places throughout Japan since 1983 and I am in love with how people here love to eat, drink and sing. Food is life here in this city so let me show it to you.
Guide fee ¥33,000 flat
An extra ¥3000pp from the fifth person. Please understand it is more difficult to do a Street Tour in Osaka with larger groups.
¥8,000 per person for your food and you and the guides drinks.
Transport not included so I ask you to make your way to the CROSS Hotel Osaka Lobby or if your Hotel is close to Namba Station, all is good.
Those coming from Kyoto for the tour, I can meet you at the CENTRAL EXIT for the bullet train at SHIN OSAKA station.
Those that wish me to pick them up at an out-of-the-way Hotel like Marriot Miyako, Conrad, Hilton and so forth please add an extra ¥2,000 to the GUIDE FEE please.
Thank you guys for your understanding.
Always let me know your likes and dislikes concerning food and of course any allergies. Japan is not vegan or vegetarian friendly but I will do my best to accommodate you.
My GUIDE FEE is a flat ¥33,000
This Price is for a maximum of four (04) persons.
This fee must be paid in advance to secure the day.
Clients are requested to bring ¥8000 on the day of the tour, per person, for the evening. I will throw those funds in an envelope and collect receipts along the way and give you back the envelope at the end of the evening.
I will collect the funds at the beginning of the tour and collect receipts as we make our way from place to place. I will return whatever change and the receipts in an envelope at the end of our excursion.
I do not eat on the tour. I will drink sake as we go but the designated funds I spoke of above will cover your food and our drinks.
NOTE: Those of you requesting to include a whisky tasting at my friends Whisky Bar, that will be an extra ¥3,500 per person for three glasses. Note that our pick up time may change to 6:00pm to accomodate this extra stop.
It wasn't the sake that was intoxicating, but it was all the things that Richard spoke. He truly has the best knowledge about the cuisine, area, spots and local history. We talked a lot, visited hidden gems, has all the way from affordable, expensive till priceless food, the best of their categories. If you're looking to explore the food scene of Namba/Dotonbori, Richard is THE guy
Thanks Raj. It was a lot of fun. Thank you for your kind words and I do hope to see you again. May goodnfortune follow you in your endeavors!
Richard was recommended by a friend who had toured with him before. Richard was outgoing and funny. We really enjoyed his sense of humor and stories of his life in Japan. His English and Japanese was great. He had preplanned our stops at local, off the beaten track Sake bars and was very friendly with the vendors. It was clear they new him well and we were treated like gold. I wish he did more tours as I would have booked them all with him. I highly recommend Richard !
Thank you Kathy for allowing me to whisk you around the back streets of Osaka! I am so happy you had a good time and I hope the rest of your Japan trip is just as enjoyable. Any questions, please let me know.
wow what a day! so much fun thank you so much!
Richard went above and beyond every step of our tour. Even though we’ve been in Japan for years, we got turned around at the train station so we’re late getting started. Richard was patient with having us, a toddler, and our visiting grandma who was overwhelmed with excitement! He helped us carry the stroller up stairs (I brought a baby carrier, but we were only in town for a day) and took pics. He gave lots of surprising and interesting information and really told the story of Japan and was always willing to answer extra questions. Thank you for making our day trip to Kyoto special and memorable! And thank you for taking extra care so our grandma and toddler were able to set the pace and enjoy themselves too!
Tanya, that is a very kind review. It was a pleasure to have your family over for the day. Your whole family were great fun and cause you live in Japan, I hope to see you again one day.