After my first trip to Japan, I’ve decided that Osaka (the food capital of the country) is a must-visit city for anyone… especially food lovers! And if there is one thing you must do while in Osaka, it’s a food tour, duh! You can find incredible food on every corner and every street, but if you’re like me, this can be a bit overwhelming. I did a plethora of research on best eats and local spots prior to my travels, but I still felt like I needed to see and taste the city with a local foodie expert. Arigato Travel’s “Nightlife Osaka Food Tour,” was exactly that- and more.

I had heard great things about Arigato Travel and their food tours/experiences, which led me to book this tour my first night in Japan, wanting to have something fun planned (I was traveling solo). When I met the group, I was so delighted that there would only be 6 of us plus our guide, “Mickey.” The other 5 guests were a family from, funny enough, Orange County, so we had quite a bit in common. The 7 of us quickly became pals and the night was full of laughs, good company, and good conversations.

Another thing I loved about this tour was that we weren’t rushed from place to place. Instead, we ventured to 2 restaurants and finished with a local dessert snack. In between, Mickey guided us through alleys and streets while telling us all about Osaka, its history, and what makes it special. Honestly, it was the perfect way to spend my first night in Japan.

You’ll have to join the tour yourself to discover the amazing spots you get to dine at, but I can say we had a massive assortment of Kushikatsu (assorted fried skewers, including vegetables, meat, seafood, and even cheese!), Okonomiyaki (an Osaka staple- think of a savory pancake), Taiyaki (a fish-shaped sweet treat, typically filled with sweet red bean), and drinks (Japanese whiskey for me!). Also unlike many food tours, when we concluded the evening, I was pleasantly stuffed with some of the best-of-the-best Osaka cuisine and SO ready for more eating to come during my time in the city. I also had made new friends and memories that I still think about every day.

The Nightlife Osaka Food Tour is definietly one of my top recommendations for Osaka (and Japan overall!). I am really looking forward to experiencing some of Arigato Travel’s other tours and experiences on my next trip to this phenomenal country.

For more information and to book your tour, check out their site here!