With kids · Osaka · Japan
Osaka with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Osaka is one of Japan's best family cities: Universal Studios Japan, the Kaiyukan aquarium, castle grounds to run around and food children love, from takoyaki to udon. Trains are stroller-friendly, though large stations can be tiring. Top picks: Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and Osaka Castle. Families usually base themselves in Bay Area.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 6
- Best area for families
- Bay Area
- Rainy-day options
- 2
- Busiest months
- April
Best things to do with kids
Theme park · Bay Area
1.Universal Studios Japan
Japan's Universal park has the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World with its Mario Kart ride and Donkey Kong Country area, and Japanese-only shows and seasonal events. It is about 15 minutes from Osaka Station by JR.
Arrive well before opening on a weekday, and head first for the area you care about most.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Buy dated tickets online in advance; Super Nintendo World can require a timed entry ticket or an Express Pass on busy days.
- Kids
- Active
- After dark
Aquarium · Bay Area
2.Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of the world's largest public aquariums follows the Pacific Ring of Fire through 15 tanks, spiralling down around a central tank nine metres deep where whale sharks and manta rays swim. Otters, penguins and Japanese giant spider crabs are favourites.
Go in the late afternoon on weekdays when school groups have left; combine with the Tempozan Ferris wheel next door.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Buying tickets online lets you skip the ticket-office queue on weekends and holidays.
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Castle · Chuo
3.Osaka Castle
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's castle, begun in 1583, was the centre of the struggle that unified Japan. Today's eight-storey keep is a 1931 reconstruction housing a museum about Hideyoshi, with an observation floor at the top. The massive stone walls, moats and the park around it — with plum and cherry groves and the Nishinomaru Garden — are the real highlight.
Walk the outer moat and the Sakuramon Gate for the best views of the stone walls, and come early in cherry-blossom season.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Views
Museum · Ikeda
4.Cupnoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
In the suburb where Momofuku Ando invented instant ramen in 1958, this museum tells the story of the invention and lets visitors design a cup and choose ingredients to make their own Cup Noodles to take home.
Take the Hankyu Takarazuka line from Umeda to Ikeda, about 20 minutes, and arrive early on weekends for the workshop.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Hands-on chicken-ramen workshops need advance reservations.
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Food
Park · Suita
5.Expo '70 Commemorative Park and Tower of the Sun
The site of the 1970 World Expo is now a large park with a Japanese garden and the Tower of the Sun, Taro Okamoto's 70-metre sculpture with three faces. Its interior, with the 'Tree of Life' artwork, can be visited by reservation. The National Museum of Ethnology is also in the park.
Take the Osaka Monorail to Banpaku-kinen-koen; the park is ideal for a picnic in spring or autumn.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Entry to the tower's interior requires an advance reservation.
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Art
- History
Religious site · Namba
6.Namba Yasaka Shrine
This small shrine a short walk from Namba is known for its 12-metre stage built in the shape of a giant lion's head with an open mouth, said to swallow bad luck and bring success in business and exams.
Combine it with Kuromon Market or Den Den Town; it takes just 15 minutes.
- Time needed
- 15–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Rainy-day ideas
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan — Go in the late afternoon on weekdays when school groups have left; combine with the Tempozan Ferris wheel next door.
- Cupnoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda — Take the Hankyu Takarazuka line from Umeda to Ikeda, about 20 minutes, and arrive early on weekends for the workshop.
Where families should stay
$$$ · Best for families
Bay Area
Osaka's waterfront covers Universal City, with official partner hotels a short walk from Universal Studios Japan, and Tempozan, home to the Kaiyukan aquarium, a giant Ferris wheel and harbour cruises. It is ideal for theme-park days but about 20–30 minutes by train from Namba and Umeda.
- Good
- Walk to Universal Studios Japan; Large family rooms; Quiet evenings
- Watch out
- Far from food districts; Expensive during school holidays
- Nearby
- Universal Studios Japan, Kaiyukan, Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Family travel tips
- Stay near Universal City or Tempozan if your trip centres on the theme park and aquarium.
- Children under 6 travel free on trains when accompanied by a paying adult; older children pay half fare.
- Book the Cupnoodles Museum workshop and USJ tickets in advance for weekends and school holidays.
- Use lifts at big stations; signage shows elevator locations near each exit.
- Takoyaki is extremely hot inside; break it open to cool before giving it to children.
Day trips for families
- Nara (About 40 minutes by train) — Todai-ji's giant bronze Buddha, Kasuga Taisha's lanterns and the free-roaming deer of Nara Park are all within walking distance of Kintetsu Nara Station.
- Himeji Castle (About 30–60 minutes by train) — Japan's finest original castle, a white UNESCO-listed keep from the early 1600s, rises a 15-minute walk from Himeji Station, beside the Koko-en gardens.
When to go with children
The best months overall are March–May and October–November. April is the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Osaka good for kids?
Osaka is one of Japan's best family cities: Universal Studios Japan, the Kaiyukan aquarium, castle grounds to run around and food children love, from takoyaki to udon. Trains are stroller-friendly, though large stations can be tiring.
+What can kids do in Osaka?
Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka Castle, Cupnoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda and Expo '70 Commemorative Park and Tower of the Sun.
+Where should families stay in Osaka?
Bay Area: Universal Studios Japan, the Kaiyukan aquarium and harbour hotels.