Day 6: Osaka Foodie Tour – Come Hungry (Seriously)

 

Osaka is known as Japan’s kitchen, so naturally, we went all in and booked a foodie tour featuring 15 dishes and 3 drinks. It sounded ambitious when we signed up… and let me tell you, it absolutely delivered.

We hopped on the JR line and made our way into Osaka, spending some time wandering through the lively streets packed with colorful food stalls, quirky game booths, and souvenir shops. The energy here is nonstop—bright lights, sizzling grills, and the smell of street food everywhere you turn.

One of our first stops was Tower Knives, where we got an up-close demonstration of traditional Japanese knife-making. Watching the craftsmanship behind these blades was impressive. Of course, we couldn’t leave empty-handed—we picked out a beautiful Japanese-style knife and even got our names engraved on it (for free if you post on Instagram… win-win!).

Then it was time for the main event—the foodie tour I booked through TripAdvisor. Our guide, Anna, was fantastic—fluent in both Japanese and English, super knowledgeable, and a lot of fun. She kept the group moving while sharing insights about the food and the culture behind it.

Now, about the food… pacing yourself is key. I tried to be strategic, telling myself I wouldn’t eat everything at every stop. That plan didn’t last long.

We made our way through an incredible lineup: crispy tempura vegetables, fresh seafood, tofu dishes, sake tastings, matcha treats, and honestly… a few things I couldn’t even identify but happily ate anyway. Each stop was better than the last.

Johnny and Johnny san.

Johnny's Karaage Bar Stand.

By the time we reached the final dessert—the one I had been looking forward to—I was completely tapped out. I managed a bite, but there was just no way I could finish it. That’s when you know you’ve done a proper Osaka food tour.

One helpful tip: if you’re vegetarian or pescatarian, be sure to let the tour company know ahead of time. Many of the dishes are prepared in advance, so last-minute changes can be tricky.

With full bellies and happy hearts, we wrapped up the tour and made our way back to the train station. A smooth 45-minute ride later, we were heading back… and let’s just say, dinner was definitely not on the agenda.

Osaka, you did not disappoint. 🍣🍶