Your full-day tour begins with morning pickup from the New Miyako Hotel in Kyoto. From here, take a short walk to Kyoto Station where you take a rapid service train (non-reserved seats) to Osaka station.
Upon arrival in Osaka, continue on foot to the Umeda Sky Building and venture to the 40th floor, where an open-air sky bridge — the Floating Garden Observatory — connects the building’s two towers. One hour at the observatory allows you plenty of time to take in sweeping views of Osaka while your guide points out features like Mt Ikoma and Awaji Island.
Later enjoying a western-style lunch and then head to Higashi-Umeda station for a subway ride to Tenmabashi station (non-reserved seating).
Then walk to Osaka Castle for a 1-hour tour of the renovated structure, built in 1583 on a stone rampart above the city. Hear your guide’s informative commentary as you note the architectural marvel constructed with enormous stones, and peruse the indoor exhibits including relics of old Osaka and the Toyotomi that originally erected the castle.
Next up is a 1-hour river cruise on the Aqua Liner, preceded by a short stroll to the nearby dock. After boarding the riverboat, coast down the Okawa River and around Nakanoshima Isle, passing sights like Osaka Castle, the Twin Towers and City Hall as you snap photos of the seasonal landscape. After your scenic cruise, walk with your guide to Osakajo-Koen station for the return ride on the JR local line to Osaka station in the early evening. Then continue aboard a JR rapid service train back to Kyoto Station where your tour ends.