A Journey to Osaka 300 Years Ago: A Walk Through Tenma, the Setting of Chikamatsu’s Plays “Chikamatsu Shinjū Walking Tour” to Be Held on October 18—Now Accepting Participants

In collaboration with “Ubusuna Tours,” a tour brand focused on history and culture, and“WITH HERITAGE TOURS” will jointly host the “Chikamatsu Shinjū Walking Tour”—a journey tracing the settings of stories written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon—on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in the Tenma area of Osaka.

This tour allows participants to explore the world of Chikamatsu’s works—set in Osaka approximately 300 years ago—while walking through the modern-day city. By tracing the historical traces remaining in the Tenma district, participants will enjoy overlaying the stories depicted in the works onto the current landscape.During the tour, Takemoto Hirotayu, a Bunraku narrator, will join us to offer a special experience that brings the world of Bunraku and the works to life.

WITH HERITAGE TOURS is a tour brand born from the “WITH HERITAGE PROJECT,” a joint initiative by CHIKALMee Corp. and Tsumugite Co., Ltd.

Walking Tour: Title Image

■ A walk that overlays a story from about 300 years ago with present-day Osaka

The setting for this “Chikamatsu Shinju Walking Tour” is the Tenma neighborhood of Osaka.

The works written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon feature the streets of Osaka at that time, the lives of its people, and the roads and bridges they traversed. On this tour, you’ll walk through the city while tracing the story of the play, deciphering the historical traces that remain today and the scenery that has changed over time.

Rather than simply visiting historical sites, this walking tour invites you to “experience the story firsthand” by walking while imagining questions such as, “What kind of story was set in this very spot?” and “How did this city appear to people about 300 years ago?” Through this process, the scenery of present-day Osaka will take on a slightly different perspective.

Even if you’re not familiar with Chikamatsu’s works or Bunraku, we’ll provide an easy-to-understand guide to the stories’ backgrounds and what Osaka was like at the time.

■ Takemoto Hirotayū, a Bunraku Tayū, Makes a Special Appearance

During the tour, Takemoto Hirotayu, a Bunraku Tayu (narrator), will make a special appearance.

After tracing the story through the very streets where it actually took place, you’ll hear directly from a Bunraku performer—who carries on the tradition of that work today—allowing you to feel a deeper connection to the world of Chikamatsu’s plays and Bunraku.

Walking through historic sites and experiencing a performing art that has been passed down to the present day—being able to experience both at once is a unique charm of this tour.

Special Guest: Mr. Takemoto Hirotayu

Photo: Eiichi Noguchi

■ A joint project by Ubusuna Tours × WITH HERITAGE TOURS

This tour is a joint project between “Ubusuna Tours,” which delves into Osaka’s history and culture, and “WITH HERITAGE TOURS,” which aims to create tours that allow visitors to enjoy history and culture as a “present-day” experience.

The overall theme and content of the tour were jointly designed through extensive discussion between the two organizations. WITH HERITAGE TOURS handled the tour’s organizational aspects—including coordinating with Mr. Takemoto Hirotayu, planning the day’s itinerary and timing, and selecting souvenirs—while Ubusuna Tours was responsible for historical research on Osaka, providing local guides, and recruiting participants.By combining our respective perspectives and areas of expertise, we have created a tour that allows participants not only to learn about history as a subject but also to experience stories and the memories of the city firsthand at actual locations.

■Bringing History and Culture Closer to Us—and Into the Future: The “WITH HERITAGE PROJECT” Launches

WITH HERITAGE TOURS is a tour brand born from the “WITH HERITAGE PROJECT,” a joint initiative between CHIKALMee Corp. and Tsumugite Co., Ltd.

The WITH HERITAGE PROJECT aims not only to preserve the history, culture, memories, and stories embedded in local communities as relics of the past, but also to enjoy and incorporate them into our daily lives today, passing them on to future generations.

As a first step toward this goal, in addition to “WITH HERITAGE TOURS,” which allow participants to experience history and culture firsthand at actual locations, we have also begun sharing information—such as podcasts—to help people casually enjoy the fascination of history.

This “Chikamatsu Double Suicide Street Walk” is another initiative designed to help participants feel the charm of history and culture firsthand—not just by “learning about it as knowledge,” but by walking through the town where the story originated and experiencing the culture that has been passed down to the present day.

[“Chikamatsu Shinju Walking Tour” Event Overview]

Date and Time: Sunday, October 18, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m.

Meeting Place: Precincts of Otono Shrine (Ohatsu Tenjin)

Participation Fee: 6,500 yen (tax included) per person

Capacity: 15 people

Special Guest: Takemoto Hirotayu, Bunraku Tayu (Narrator)

How to Register: Please register via the “Ubusuna Tours” page on Peatix.

　　　　　　　　　 https://peatix.com/event/5186071

QR Code

■ About Ubusuna Tours

This brand offers walking tours that explore Osaka’s history and culture by deciphering the traces and stories preserved throughout the city.

Leveraging our expertise in historical research and local guides, we offer opportunities to experience the city of Osaka from a slightly different perspective than usual.

Web/SNS: https://note.com/ubusunatours / https://www.instagram.com/ubusunatours/

■About the WITH HERITAGE PROJECT

The “WITH HERITAGE PROJECT” is a joint initiative by CHIKALMee corp. and Tsumugite Co., Ltd. aimed at bringing history, culture, and heritage to life in the present and passing them on to the future.

Rather than simply viewing the history and culture preserved in local communities as “things to be protected,” the project aims to help people feel a closer connection to their appeal and value, thereby fostering new connections and activities among people.

Currently, the project has launched with “WITH HERITAGE TOURS,” a tour brand that allows participants to experience history and culture firsthand at actual sites, as well as through radio and podcast broadcasts. Going forward, the project aims to expand its activities into the practice of heritage management—sustainably preserving and utilizing historical heritage, including the conservation and utilization of cultural properties and local historical assets, as well as providing support to local governments and other entities.

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ieaeiHKmjqD2sYu2XxSct?si=23a7e268f5004f26

*Official website and social media accounts are currently under construction

[Company Overview]

Company Name: CHIKALMee corp.

Address: 1-4-1 Kotobuki-cho, Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Representative: Tomomi Kubo, Representative Director

Established: June 22, 2022

Business Activities: Tourism consulting, planning and development of tourism content,

　　　　　 Guide Training, Heritage Management-Related Businesses, etc.

Website: https://chikalmee.co.jp/

■ Inquiries regarding tour registration and this press release

WITH HERITAGE PROJECT Secretariat (c/o CHIKALMee corp.)

Contact: Kubo

TEL: 06-7410-7440

Email: contact@chikalmee.co.jp