Osaka Shinsekai Walking Tour: Honest Review & Guide

If you’re headed to Osaka and have only got a little while to spend, figuring out where to go first can be a puzzle, it’s almost like deciding what to eat at a massive food market! I’ve done a fair bit of traveling, and sometimes, I find the quickest way to get to know a place is to just start pounding the pavement. Walking tours? They’re kind of my go-to. So, when I found myself with just a few free hours in Osaka’s Tennoji Ward, I figured, why not check out Shinsekai? This article walks you through the tour, so that you know what you might be getting yourself into.

Why Shinsekai? A Peek into Osaka’s Past

Shinsekai, which very roughly translates to “New World,” is that spot in Osaka which feels strangely stuck in time. You might think it’s just an area, yet there’s an appeal there, as this place has been around for more than a century. I read somewhere, and now I can’t vouch for the authenticity of this so you should also research this, that it was initially designed to look like a mixture of Paris and Coney Island. Interesting right? But things changed following World War II. Anyway, this area isn’t that fancy anymore, but if you’re after something with real character then you might get something from this. The big draw is the Tsutenkaku Tower, which towers over everything, so if you see this on the horizon, very good, you’re headed in the proper direction! There are lights, loud signs, and lots of yummy smells that pull you in. For people who want to get to know Osaka better and perhaps want a change of pace from Dotonbori, this is it.

Finding and Booking the Tour: Is it really that simple?

Ok, so I booked my “Osaka Tennoji Ward Shinsekai 3 Hours Walking Tour” on one of those giant online platforms that seem to have everything. You likely know the ones, I won’t promote one over another as such endorsements may get people like you in trouble, very annoying! From what I gathered, tours are apparently very commonplace in Osaka so that, that you can just book one the day before without major drama, but, as I was saying, you could book much earlier if you really wanted to. Prices may shift around a bit, so you know, shop around and compare your options if you are that way inclined. I went with a reasonably reviewed one with a decent route.

The meeting point was surprisingly easy to find which was great because I tend to go the wrong direction even when I am on the correct road, very embarrassing, and the instructions were pretty clear. Usually, you want to look for an easy spot which everyone understands, like a main train station exit or a well-known landmark. It helps if you allow yourself time to get there too, instead of cutting it fine like some kind of TV show character!

First Impressions: Did Shinsekai Live Up To the Hype?

Alright, picture this, you arrive and BAM!, it is in your face almost! The place pops with that retro Japanese feel. This part of town gives off a different feel than the spotless, almost too-modern vibe you often find in larger Japanese towns, right? There are neon lights competing for your attention and those vintage signs hanging over storefronts; they’ve got a real ‘Show Era’ look about them. Early impressions matter a lot, so I really soaked this up when I first arrived! What really hit me were the cooking smells of grilling meat and that lovely aroma that comes from street food vendors, you get a little hungry almost straight away!

One thing I quickly realized, too, is that Shinsekai, in some respects, comes to life later in the day. Sure, some places were open in the morning when I began my tour, yet it feels as if things were just getting ready for that big afternoon and night-time rush. So if you are keen to get those Instagrammable snaps with less people around then great, an early start is your best bet!

The Tour Highlights: What I Saw and What I Thought

The walking tour I was on basically had a few stops that any decent Shinsekai visit needs. I’m not going to list every tiny thing as I simply cannot recall all of them, yet the most memorable ones are certainly worth pointing out.

Tsutenkaku Tower: Touching the Sky?

Of course, there is the Tsutenkaku Tower. Now, climbing up wasn’t really part of the tour at first. It’s almost a separate thing, right? I did think it worth adding. Our guide explained that the tower had, as a matter of fact, been rebuilt – it had that previous design pinched from the Eiffel Tower back in the early 1900s. But the vistas from the top? They are seriously amazing, apparently. So you may want to pay the small fee to go up to the observation deck. It gives you that full spread of Osaka which is a pretty great sight if I am being honest.

Billiken: Rubbing Feet for Luck

Billiken. This is arguably Shinsekai’s lucky charm and sort of like a celebrity there! Now you will see statues of this strange happy dude all over, actually. Our tour leader let on that stroking the soles of his feet can bring you good fortune and all that good stuff. Plenty of people queue up just to rub his feet which seems funny. While I can’t fully promise if it genuinely works, I will also admit, in fact, that I gave those feet a good old rub!

Kushikatsu Street: Deep-Fried Heaven (and Rules!)

Kushikatsu Street – or Janjan Yokocho alleyway if you really fancy getting very specific, really, really draws in those foodies. This place is basically overflowing with restaurants serving kushikatsu, which involves deep-fried skewers of all sorts. Our leader gave the advice that dipping is only ever allowed ONCE. Dipping twice in the shared sauce is, in reality, a big no-no. Every place does things their unique way but generally if you are wanting a local dish then you have to try the local cuisine, it’s basically essential!

Hidden Alleys and Local Life

Besides all the flashiness, the tour took us down little side streets, basically. These were a bit quieter which was nice. This is arguably where you catch glimpses of what everyday life looks like in Osaka. Local businesses, houses with plants outside – that kind of deal. I often prefer these segments because, basically, you get to step away from that major tourist crowd for a short moment.

The Guide: The Key to a Good Tour?

I guess whether or not you take something from such walking tours relies very, very much on the quality of your guide. Is that obvious? Probably! Fortunately, the guy I got actually knew his things. I’ve had terrible tour guides too, they just simply parrot facts straight off the internet in that dull, unenthusiastic tone which puts you to sleep immediately! He explained the setting in Osaka clearly and concisely, actually, with a handful of historical tidbits and some fun facts thrown in that added a nice spark to what he was saying. Also, the great thing he did, as a matter of fact, was handle those inevitable awkward tourist questions gracefully, I feel embarrassed for these individuals that ask ridiculously un-researched things! A proper guide makes that place come alive.

Food and Drink: More Than Just Kushikatsu

Ok, food is always a BIG plus on any tour, it’s almost what everything is based around, isn’t it? Besides kushikatsu, there’s the takoyaki (octopus balls), or you can even see those fugu (blowfish) restaurants if you are the daring sort, actually. My tour allowed us to sample several local snacks; yet I did wish we’d been given just a bit more time to stop somewhere longer and enjoy some food. But if you’re like me then you would probably think this every single time! The neighborhood, after all, is famous for food, is that something that everyone likes, right?

Things I Learned: A Bit of History, a Bit of Culture

I think, for me, this tour went further than only seeing spots; yet it also helped me get to grips with a fair bit more about Osaka than before. As I have been mentioning so far, I learned about its past life and even some general insights in local habits from people and things which came from people who live around there, it is almost impossible not to actually! Walking through Shinsekai basically helps you understand Osaka, well that’s only my opinion.

Who Should Take This Tour?

So, who do I think this specific walking tour is truly good for?

• First-timers in Osaka: This will give you that quick immersion right into the atmosphere if you have not ever visited this metropolis before.
• Folks with limited time: Three hours seems a fair chunk; yet if you only have that short period to spare, in that case, a walking tour beats wondering around on your own steam.
• Curious Culture Buffs: If you are interested in a place’s culture and don’t enjoy that sterile, modern world of only gleaming buildings, then very well, Shinsekai does not disappoint.

Could it have been better? My Honest Thoughts

Let’s just say, every tour can have just that minor drawback, this is almost what happens every time. Although it wasn’t much to worry about in the big picture, actually. I guess I wouldn’t have minded a slightly longer pause to allow us to properly grab something and just chill, so there may need to be a larger consideration regarding the timing in different venues on a walking tour like this one. Maybe skip one sight entirely, that way we can fit everything in much more naturally. This only relies on how tight that schedule is, you may need to check your own one and plan accordingly.

Would I Recommend It?

I am hoping you are taking away from what I am suggesting in this tour review, is that a short walking tour of Osaka is an activity with high entertainment value to a prospective visitor. If you are in that party, you will likely have a super time here. Basically, get this locked down! Just go for it!

#Osaka #Shinsekai #JapanTravel #WalkingTour #TravelReview