Our Signature tour

SHADOWS OF OSAKA

Discover Osaka Through Myths & Shadows, where legends, folklore, and spirits linger in the hidden corners of the city. Echoes from the dark reveal ancient stories hiding in modern if you know where to look.

This private walking tour offers a slow, immersive exploration of secret streets and layered histories. Moving beyond surface sightseeing, it uncovers Osaka through folklore, memory, and lived culture. Inspired by Japanese myths — tanuki, yōkai, and local beliefs — the experience blends storytelling with quiet observation, inviting you to see the city in a completely new light.

Designed for travelers who value:

• Intimate, private experiences
• Cultural depth over volume
• Hidden neighborhoods beyond tourist routes
• Thoughtful storytelling rooted in history and folklore

No prior knowledge required — only curiosity

Why Kin Tanuki

In Japanese folklore, the tanuki is a playful, shape-shifting spirit — curious, welcoming, and unpredictable. It embodies the lively and mysterious spirit of Osaka itself.

Kin Tanuki was born to help travelers connect with Osaka’s cultural soul through storytelling, folklore, and meaningful experiences.

Our guiding principles:

Curiosity — exploring beyond the obvious to uncover hidden stories
Respect — honoring the traditions, beliefs, and spaces we visit
Clarity — sharing authentic stories in a simple, engaging way

Through these values, we offer more than a tour — we offer a journey into the heart of Japan’s living culture and traditions.

The Guide

After five years working as a professional tour guide in Japan with international travelers, I created Kin Tanuki to offer a different kind of experience — more cultural, more thoughtful, and far from standard sightseeing tours.

My work is rooted in a deep interest in Japanese history, folklore and everyday culture. Through storytelling, I reveal the hidden meanings behind temples, traditions and the small details of daily life that most visitors pass by without noticing.

Fluent in French and English, and comfortably using Japanese and German in daily life.

My goal is simple:
to help you see Osaka differently — through its stories, its traditions and the cultural layers that make the city truly unique.

Keep in Touch

Interested in a deeper, more personal experience of Osaka?

Book a Private Walk
Request a Custom Experience
Plan Your Journey

★★★★★ Boriana C - March 2026

An amazing dive in the legends and myths and the spirit of Osaka and Japan
Kin is a great tour guide. He’s very knowledgeable. His folklore stories and legends are very interesting and he provides a cultural and historical context. He speaks a number of languages and is familiar with other cultures which allows him to connect better with foreign tourists as well well as Japanese.
He can also have a food tour. He’s very knowledgeable in the typical to Osaka dishes including the food market and restaurants.

★★★★★ Fiona – Feb. 2026

this tour was fabulous! shems was a wonderful guide full of stories and in-depth knowledge about japan and how it has performed historically on the world stage as well as currently. the folklore and legends content was so interesting and colourful and shems answered every question we threw at him very generously. walking at night around the areas these legends lived was wonderful as it was a little quieter and added to the mystique. highly recommended! the last part ended in the food area so we could refuel at a legendary restaurant or in one of the side streets. AMAZING!

★★★★★ Christian S - Feb. 2026

Unforgettable Night: Shadows of Osaka Ghost Tour If you're looking for the best night tour in Osaka, the Shadows of Osaka is an absolute must! It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Our guide, Shems, was exceptionally knowledgeable and informative, sharing bone-chilling folklore and hidden history that you won't find in any guidebook. His storytelling truly brought the city's supernatural past to life. For anyone seeking unique things to do in Osaka, this tour is a 10/10. Don't miss out on this spooky, top-rated adventure!