being the second biggest metropolitan area next to Tokyo, Osaka has a lot to offer to tourists traveling with babies and very young kids. With all their family-friendly facilities in place, you are sure to enjoy your stay in Osaka. From free public areas to paid play places, there is something for you and your traveling tot. Here are our recommendations:
1. KIDS PLAZA OSAKA
Kids Plaza Osaka is the first museum in Japan dedicated to child education. Founded in July 1997, the basic philosophy of this mega play place is learning through play. It is a massive 5-storey plaza filled with educational activities for kids of all ages. Each level offers a different experience for kids so be prepared to spend at least half of your day here. We explored all activities, and our 20-month old baby enjoyed every bit of it, especially the cultural center on the 5th floor, where he played with musical instruments and spun some wooden tops. If you are traveling with a kids 3 years old and above, they will surely enjoy all areas in the plaza. But, if you have a toddler and or a crawling baby, the best place to be in is PEEK-A-BOO on the 4th floor. Peek-A-Boo is a play room for babies and toddlers, with soft mats, Montessori toys and comfortable seating areas for parents and babies. There is also a nursing area here for the convenience of moms.
Opening hours and Admission Fee
Open daily from 9:30 to 17:00
| Adult | 1,400yen |
|---|---|
| Elementary and junior high school students | 800yen |
| Pre-schoolers (3 years or older) | 500yen (Babies enter for free) |
| Seniors (65 years old or above) | 700yen * Senior discount is applicable to visitors aged 65 or more (verification may be requested during the admission). |
How to get there: The facility is located right next to the exit #2 of Ogimachi station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji line. Alternatively, it is in a three minute walk distance from the Temma station on the JR loop line.
Both Ogimachi subway station and JR Temma station are equipped with elevators.
2. OSAKA AQUARIUM – KAIYUKAN
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is located in Tempozan Harbor Village, by Osaka Bay. Kaiyukan is one of Japan’s most spectacular aquariums, world-renowned for its innovative presentation. Kaiyukan shows the aquatic animals of the Pacific Rim at their most vibrant and dynamic, by recreating the natural environment of their habitats. ( https://www.kaiyukan.com/ ) To fully enjoy the two and a-half-hour – aquarium exploration, begin at the 8th floor and spiral your way down through the ramp to the 4th floor to see the marine animals from different perspectives. If you are traveling with a baby, here are some tips:
- Strollers are not allowed on escalators, so make sure you take the elevators if you really need to bring one inside. Otherwise, there is a room at the lobby where you can leave your stroller and other belongings. The aquarium highly discourages strollers inside.
- Audio guides are available for rent at JPY 500. We rented 2 units but ended up not using it as the volume is too low and it was more of a distraction than a helpful tool, with everything that’s happening inside. Plus, the baby kept on getting it from me so I had to keep it away from him.
- There is a changing table inside the restroom, but since it was packed, we changed in the stroller, by the restroom instead.
- Make sure to bring some snacks. Eat well before you enter.
Aquarium Hours and Admission Fee
Open daily from 10:00 to 20:00
Children 3 and below : FREE
4 years old to 6 Years old : 600 JPY
7 years old to 15 years old: 1,200 JPY
16 years old and up: 2,300 JPY
60 years old and up: 2,000 JPY
How to get there: Osaka Aquarium is located at Osaka Station on the Chuo subway line. From Osaka Station you can take the Osaka Loop Line to Bentencho Station and then transfer to the Chuo Subway Line. The total fare will be 400 yen and it will take you just 17 minutes.
3. TEMPOZAN GIANT FERRIS WHEEL
A 5-minute walk from the Osakako subway station, and steps away from the Kaiyukan aquarium, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel soars 112.5 meters into the air and has a diameter of 100 meters, making it one of the world’s largest Ferris wheels. On sunny days, a ride is a roughly 15-minute-long journey through the sky, offering views of Mount Ikoma to the east, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to the west, Kansai International Airport to the south, and the Rokko mountains to the north. Three of its 60 cabins are wheelchair accessible. Additionally, in-cabin announcements are made in both Japanese and English. Colorful light displays and weather forecasts for the following day are also popular features. The vibrant lights of Osaka Bay have undeniably become one of Osaka’s defining tourist attractions. ( https://osaka-info.jp/en/page/tempozan-ferris-wheel )
Operating Hours and Admission Fee
General admission ¥800 (age 3 and up)
Open daily from 10:00 – 22:00 (varies seasonally; closed for severe weather); final boarding 21:30
4. TEMPOZAN HARBOUR VILLAGE
Located about 20 minutes from Osaka Station, Tempozan Harbor Village is a bay area leisure destination centered around Kaiyukan. Tempozan marketplace’s restaurants, shopping, entertainment offerings, and Osaka sightseeing cruise ships, such as the Santa Maria, are guaranteed to keep you entertained all day. Tempozan Harbor Village also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. ( https://osaka-info.jp/en/page/tempozan-harbor-village )
5. LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER
The ultimate indoor LEGO playground, this wonderland is located inside Tempozan Marketplace. With its 4D Cinema, 8 Lego Build and Play Zones, 2 rides and a shop full of lego merchandise for all ages, you and your kids are sure to have a blast! book your tickets online here.
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is designed specifically for children aged 3-10 years to enjoy – everything is kid-sizedAdults(16 and up) must be accompanied by a child.
6. TEN- SHIBA (Tennoji Park Entrance Area)
Located next to Tennoji Station, the southern gateway to Osaka, Tennoji Park is an urban oasis like New York’s Central Park or Hyde Park in London. It was first opened in 1909 and has one of the most colorful histories of Osaka’s parks. In 2015, it reopened with a wide open space with grass, futsal court, playland, restaurants and shops. It’s also home to the Tennoji Zoological Gardens and the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art. ( https://osaka-info.jp/ )
Opening hours: 7:00 – 22:00 (some facilities 24 hours)
7. TENNOJI ZOO
The Tennoji Zoo opened in January 1915 as the third zoo in Japan. The zoo’s approximately 11 hectares house 1,000 animals of 200 different types, including everything from lions, and chimpanzees, to the always-popular koalas, New Zealand kiwis (which can only be viewed at the Tennoji zoo), and distinctive, black-headed drills. In addition to attempting to reproduce the animals’ natural habitats as closely as possible, the Tennoji Zoo also serves as a kind of ecological exhibition, introducing the public to the way these animals live. The reptile house, Ifar, for example, was meticulously designed to resemble real animal habitats. The hippo enclosure is Japan’s first transparent pool enclosure. The rhino enclosure mimics the African savanna. ( https://osaka-info.jp/ )
Park hours and Fees
9:30 – 17:00
[Zoo Opening Hours Extended]
9:30 – 18:00
*Weekends and holidays in May and September only ; Mondays (closed the following weekday when holidays fall on Monday), New Year holidays (12/29 – 1/1)
Adults 500 yen
Elementary/junior high school students 200 yen
*Free for children younger than first-grade ages;
How to get there: Ten-Shiba is a 5-minute walk away from Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji and Midosuji Lines
5-minute walk from Ebisucho Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line
10-minute walk from Tennoji Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji and Tanimachi Lines and JR Line.
8. KUROMON MARKET
Kuromon Market (黒門市場, Kuromon Ichiba) is a covered public market that stretches around 600 meters parallel to Sakaisujidori Street in the Minami area of Osaka. The market has about 150 shops that predominantly sell fish, meat and produce, with other shops also purveying traditional sweets and low priced clothes and homeware. The market dates back to the Edo Period, and today makes for an atmospheric place to stroll around, shop and eat a variety of different street foods. ( https://www.japan-guide.com/ )
How to get there: Kuromon Market is a few steps from Nipponbashi Station on the Sennichimae and Sakaisuji subway lines. Alternatively, it is a ten minute walk from Namba Station.
Tips to enjoy Kuromon Market with a baby or very young kids:
- If your baby is already eating solids, fresh juices and smoothies are available around the area; grilled vegetables and fruits are also good options.
- Eat inside mini food courts with tables and chairs. Avoid standing in the alley way to eat or drink as it could get really crowded at times.
- Park your stroller properly and don’t get in the way of other customers and vendors. Don’t block the entry ways of shops.
- Throw your garbage in trash cans of the vendor where you bought your food from. This way, you would not be called out and inconvenienced as you enjoy your time with your family.
Okinawa Kokutou. Melted lumps of kuro sato or brown sugar, mixed with lime – a staple in every Okinawan house. This is my new favourite ice cream flavor. ❤️ Thomas loves it too.
9. SHINSAIBASHI-SUJI
With over two million visitors going to Osaka every month, shopping could be horrific on weekends and the holidays. Especially during New Year’s Day , where people rush to the malls for Fukubukuro , shopping with your baby could be a challenging experience. So, to fully enjoy this activity with your family, we recommend that you do it on weekdays.
A commercial avenue stretching north and south for about 580 meters from the south of Nagahori-dori to Soemoncho-dori. Visitors to this street number about 60,000 on weekdays and about 120,000 on weekends and holidays. ( https://osaka-info.jp/ )
Shops of all kinds and for all ages line the street, this is a roofed arcade that is 600 meters long. H&M, UNIQLO, GU, GAP, DISNEY STORE and ZARA are among the popular stores in the area where you can buy baby clothes.
DAIMARU
Should you need to use the restroom or the baby lounge, head to this department store for convenience.
Baby Lounge – This is located on the seventh floor of the main building. There is hot water supply device for milk, exclusive use of the beds for diaper change and a nursing room.
Stroller Rental – you can rent at the first floor of the main building information desk ●NPC Nishishinsaibashi first parking ●NPC Nishi Shinsaibashi 2 Parking. Children three years or younger can use the strollers.
10. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Your Osaka trip won’t be complete without going to Universal Studios Japan. Prepare to spend a day or two here if you want to fully enjoy this experience. For kids of all ages, including babies, there is something for everyone. Read our Universal Studios with a Baby guide here.
TIP: We recommend not visiting the park on weekends and school holidays as the waiting time for attractions will be longer and the restaurants could get really crowded.
Park Hours and Tickets
Park operating hours change from time to time, so it’s best to check the schedule on the dates of your visit, here.
Tickets –
1Day Studio Pass / 2Day Studio Pass
The admission ticket includes park entrance and use of all attractions in the park.
| Type | Adults[Aged 12 or over] | Children[Ages 4 to 11] | Seniors[Aged 65 or over] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 DAY Studio Pass | from ￥7,091 (￥7,800 with tax) – | from ￥4,910 (￥5,400 with tax) – | from ￥6,455 (￥7,100 with tax) – |
| 2 DAY Studio Pass | from ￥14,000 (￥15,400 with tax) | from ￥9,546 (￥10,500 with tax) |
Advance Tickets
Do not require exchange for a Studio Pass at Ticket Booths and allow direct entry to the park. We got our tickets from KLOOK.
- KLOOK
- KKDAY
- VOYAGIN
- TRIP ADVISOR
- TRAVELOKA
How to get there: The easiest way to get to USJ is by train. The park is just a five minute walk from Universal City Station on the JR Sakurajima Line.
FAMILY – FRIENDLY FACILITIES
BABY FEEDING – Facilities for breastfeeding, baby feeding and diaper changing are available. Also equipped with hot water dispensers and microwaves for preparing baby formula or baby food. Located next to Guest Services/Inside Universal Wonderland.
DIAPER CHANGING TABLES – A total of 37 units are installed in the park. Disposable diapers can be disposed of here. One unit installed in each of 16 men’s / ladies’ restrooms inside the park (except in the restaurant restrooms).
BABY FOOD – Baby food for babies aged between 7 and 12 months old is available in Snoopy’s™ Backlot Café and Studio Stars Restaurant.
MISSING CHILDREN CENTER – Meeting point for lost children (under 12 years) and their parents or guardians. Located at the Guest Services counter.
STROLLER RENTAL – Rental strollers are for children up to three years old (under four years old). Children above the age of 4 are not allowed to use the rental strollers. FEE: ¥1,100 each (single seater, tax included). You may rent one at the counter to the right of the entrance.
CHILD SWITCH – The Child Switch system enables guests with children/companions who do not meet an attraction’s height or other requirements to take turns and enjoy the attraction without waiting in line again. For details, please ask a crew member at the attraction.
BABY – FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS
UNIVERSAL WONDERLAND
The ultimate fun place for the whole family, UNIVERSAL WONDERLAND features attractions and rides , especially for kids under 10 years old. My baby really enjoyed meeting his favorite characters (he memorizes all Sesame Street muppets and he knows Snoopy!), riding the carousel and chasing the bubbles in the air. Here, you will enjoy Sesame Street Fun World, Snoopy Studios and Hello Kitty Fashion Avenue.
We also enjoyed JAWS, JURASSIC PARK AND THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER with our 20-month old.
So, that’s it for this post! Please let me know in the comments section if you think I missed some details! We could also chat on Instagram @wandermommyblog.
MORE ON OUR OSAKA TRIP HERE:
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>>>>>>>>>> HOW TO ENJOY UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN WITH A BABY
>>>>>>>>>> NARA DEER PARK WITH A BABY, IS IT WORTH THE TRIP?
>>>>>>>>>> EXPLORING KOBE WITH A BABY
TRAVELING TO HOKKAIDO THIS WINTER SEASON? CLICK HERE FOR SOME TIPS.
Wunderbugs | Family Travel 