10 Best Things to Do with Kids in Osaka
Fun Places in Osaka to Take Your Family
Osaka has plenty of family-friendly sites to visit, attracting travelers with kids looking to enjoy a fun holiday in Japan’s second-largest city. Surrounded by the sea and mountains, <a href=“/go/japan/osaka”>Osaka</a> has a wealth of outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, and enjoying sports.
There’s also plenty to explore indoors with large shopping centres, interactive museums, and activity centers. Osaka is renowned for housing Universal Studios Japan, which is just a train ride away from the city’s downtown area. Check out our guide to the best things to do with kids in Osaka.
1. Universal Studios Japan
Adventures in your favorite fictional worlds
Good for: Couples, Families, Group
Universal Studios Japan is a fun place for families, especially for the little ones. One of the most popular attractions is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ where you can enjoy the magical world at Hogwart’s™ Castle, which is an exact replica of the one used in the movies.</p><p>You can also set out on a thrilling adventure tour of Jurassic Park or watch the exciting Water World Show. USJ is a theme park full of fun for the whole family. Expect to queue about 30 minutes per attraction and longer for the more popular rides.
Location: 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka 554-0031, Japan
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +81 (0)570-200-606
Universal Studios Japan
2. Legoland Discovery Center
Creativity with one of the world’s favorite toys
Good for: Families
The Legoland Discovery Center is a popular family-friendly amusement park in Osaka. It has interactive exhibits, a 4-D theater and 12 different attractions, such as the Kingdom Quest laser ride and the Great Lego Race VR experience.
Looking for a bite to eat? Head to the onsite cafeteria to enjoy fun snacks like Lego-shaped French fries and milkshakes topped with Lego-shaped chocolate candies. Adults who want to visit the Legoland Discovery Center must be accompanied by a child or join its exclusive adult’s event, which takes place every month. The Lego Discovery Center Shop is open to all, where you can browse over 400 products.
Location: Tempozan Marketplace 3F, 1-1-10 KaiganDori, Minato-ku, Osaka 552-0022, Japan
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +81 (0)800-100-5346
Legoland Discovery Center
3. Tennoji Zoo
Good for: Families
Established in 1915, Tennoji Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from 200 species. The 110,000-square-meter park has wildlife enclosures that replicate natural environments from around the world.
The park is divided into 4 zones, and you can see animals from each region, including penguins, giraffes and elephants. You can re-enter for free within the same day, so you can go out for a meal or visit nearby landmarks like the Tsutenkaku Tower before returning to Tennoji Zoo. You’ll just need to inform the staff at the gate before leaving the park.
Location: 1-108 Chausuyamacho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka 543-0063, Japan
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +81 (0)6-6771-8401
Tennoji Zoo
4. Osaka Castle and Park
A fairytale castle among the cherry blossoms
Good for: Couples, Group
The current Osaka Castle, surrounded by 600 gorgeous cherry trees, is a 1931 reconstruction of the original castle built in 1583. However, it is no less impressive for this, and children will adore exploring this stunning building. The refurbished tower even houses an elevator, meaning easy access for those with strollers. Castle tickets also allow access to the Toyotomi Stone Wall Museum which exhibits some of the original stone walls.
The castle sits within an extensive plot of park land to explore, featuring moats, turrets, and great views of the castle for snapping that perfect family photo. For an extra admission fee, it’s worth visiting the nearby Nishinomaru Garden, which includes a lovely tea house and sports facilities.
Location: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka 540-0002, Japan
Open: March–October: daily from 9 am to 5 pm. November–February: daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm. (Gardens closed Mondays)
Phone: +81 (0)669-41-3044
Osaka Castle and Park
5. Kids Plaza Osaka
Interactive fun at this kid-centered science museum
Good for: Families
Kids Plaza Osaka was established in July 1977 as the first museum in Japan dedicated to children. With a concept of “Learning by Doing”, each floor is divided into themes of creativity, adventure, and discovery. There are also various interactive spaces that children and parents can enjoy together.
Kids Plaza Osaka hosts workshops and events such as voice actor experiences and cooking experiences. It’s a good idea to check the website for the latest schedule. It’s easy to spend the whole day at Kids Plaza Osaka, even if it’s raining. You can re-enter with your ticket stub on the same day, so you can take a break at nearby restaurants and parks.
Location: 2-1-7 Ogimachi, Kita Ward, Osaka 530-0005, Japan
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm (Closed every 2nd and 3rd Monday of the month)
Phone: +81 (0)6-6311-6601
Kids Plaza Osaka
6. Umeda Sky Building
Views of Osaka from a garden in the clouds
Good for: Families, Adventure
Head to the Umeda Sky Building for exhilarating city views. This spectactular high-rise building consists of two 40-story skyscrapers connected by a hanging-garden known as the Kuchu Teien Observatory. This observatory occupies the top 2 floors, with a futuristic garden space, and also the rooftop, where you’ll discover 360-degree views from 575 feet above ground.
The Umeda Sky Building features beautiful, world-renowned architecture, ranking in the top 20 architectural buildings in the world by The Times magazine. Even the journey to the top is exciting and photo-worthy, featuring a glass escalator in a tunnel. There’s also numerous good restaurants and souvenir shops inside, and the basement even includes a shopping center modeled on the Showa Period (early 20th century).
Location: 1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita Ward, Osaka 531-6023, Japan
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 10.30 pm
Phone: +81 (0)664-40-3855
Umeda Sky Building
7. Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
A journey through Japan’s cultural past
Good for: Families, History
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living exhibits the local lifestyles throughout Japan’s history, including the Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. You can see a life-sized reproduction of Osaka township during the first years of the Tenpo period on the 9th floor, and a model of modern Osaka on the 8th floor of the museum.
Thanks to the sheer number and detail of the exhibits, you might feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living also hosts elaborate events every month.
Location: 8th floor, Sumai Joho Center Building, 6-4-20 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka 530-0041, Japan
Open: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to 5 pm (Closed Tuesday)
Phone: +81 (0)6-6242-1170
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
8. Osaka Science Museum
Traverse the stars in one of the world’s largest planetariums
Good for: Families, Group
The Osaka Science Museum is an excellent venue to learn about science and the universe. The museum is divided into 4 floors, each of which has interesting exhibits and interactive science shows.
A must-see is the museum’s planetarium, which is one of the largest in the world. CG technology is used with a high-precision projector to reproduce a replica of the sky. The Osaka Science Museum’s Family Time show is suitable for those with young children as they can chat and look for stars. The Study Projection program introduces constellations and explains how to observe stars in the sky, as well as astronomical subjects.
Location: 4-2-1 Nakanoshima, Kita Ward, Osaka 530-0005, Japan
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm
Phone: +81 (0)6-6444-5656
Osaka Science Museum
9. Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
Savor your own special recipe
Good for: Families
Explore the history of food and discover the fascinating secrets behind one of the world’s favorite convenience meals. Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda is where you can learn about the history of the world’s first instant noodles, which were invented by Momofuku Ando.
The museum’s Chicken Ramen Factory showcases the process of making the iconic noodles. You can create your own completely original noodles at My CUPNOODLES Factory, including designing the cup and choosing your soup and toppings. There are around 4 kinds of soup and 12 toppings to choose from.
Location: 8-25 Masumicho, Okeda, Osaka 563-0041, Japan
Open: Wednesday–Monday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +81 (0)72-752-3484
Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
10. Tempozan Marketplace
Shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and more
Good for: Families, Shoppers
Tempozan Marketplace is a large commercial complex in Tempozan Harbor Village, near Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel. There are about 80 shops and restaurants within this 3-storey mall, so everyone in the family can find what they want.
You can play games at Amusement Zone MECHA Tempozan and have a meal at the Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho Food Theme Park. Street performances take place at the event square every day. Tempozan Marketplace is fun in lots of different ways, making it an excellent place for a family to spend quality time together.
Location: 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka 552-0022, Japan
Open: Daily, hours vary
Phone: +81 (0)6-6576-5501
Tempozan Marketplace
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