Leaving the house when you have young children can be stressful. If you ever find yourself in Osaka with your little ones, check out these 7 things to do in Osaka with kids (babies & toddlers)
They all offer nursing rooms and changing areas. You won’t have to worry about finding a place to change a dirty diaper or feed a screaming infant who needs milk ASAP.
They’re all stroller-friendly or provide stroller parking. Some will even lend you a stroller to use while you’re there.
Most of them have food on-site. If they don’t, they have a variety of kid-friendly restaurants nearby.
If you choose to visit a spot on this list, you can rest assured things will go (reasonably) smoothly.
Osaka is an amazing city for even the littlest of explorers. This list is the perfect place to start your adventures.
Contents
1. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The aquarium is a great place to let toddlers run (somewhat) free and explore the tanks. It’s a wonderful way to escape from the oppressive summer heat.
The Kaiyukan aquarium is quite large, even for an aquarium in a big city. 30,000 creatures from 620 species are on display. The species include otters, dolphins, stingrays, sharks, sea lions, and jellyfish. An impressive 5,400-ton tank focuses on the aquatic creatures of the Pacific Rim.
My favorite exhibit was the awesome whale shark. Everyone else seemed to love him as well. He’s the centerpiece of this beautiful aquarium in Osaka.
Getting There
To get to the aquarium, walk 5 minutes from the Osakako Station on the Osaka City Subway Chuo Line.
Highlights and Tips
- Your kids will love the hands-on exhibits. They can pet sharks. They can also get up close to penguins and see how Arctic seals live in the “interactive exhibit.”
- The aquarium lights up during the holiday season with over 1 million lights. It’s a dazzling display for you and your little ones after dark.
- Buy your tickets in advance to avoid a long line. Don’t go on a national holiday, school breaks, or even on the weekend. Try to visit on a weekday if you can. Avoid going during the busier times because the aquarium can and will get very crowded.
Hours
- 10:00am – 8:00pm Weekdays
- 9:30am – 8:00pm Saturdays
- 8:30am – 8:30pm Sundays
- Last entry 1 hour before closing
Admission
- Adults: 2,300 yen
- Children under 3: Free
For More Information
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Article (The True Japan)
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Homepage
2. Tennoji Zoo
The Tennoji Zoo is a great place to take your kids for an exciting day of learning and fun.
This centrally located zoo features approximately 1,000 animals from over 200 species. They live in enclosures that closely mimic their original habitats. Although some people say the facilities are small and not taken care of.
You can make a day of it if your little ones are up for it. I suggest you explore the nearby Tennoji park and Shinsekai area for some delicious food. The area offers lots of touristy delights after checking out the animals.
Getting There
The zoo is just a 10-minute walk from the Central Exit of JR Tennoji Station.
Highlights and Tips
- Your kids will love the Petting Zone. They can feed the sheep and goats; most kids have a ball petting and holding the guinea pigs.
- The food isn’t very good. I suggest you bring your own lunch or find someplace to eat in the nearby Shinsekai area.
- You’ll find excellent food vendors in the area near the zoo. You can buy snacks and light meals, and the vendors offer tables for you to sit and enjoy your food.
Hours
- 9:30am – 5:00pm (last admission 4:00pm) weekdays
- 9:30am – 6:00pm (last admission 5:00pm) weekends & holidays
- Closed on Mondays
Admission
- Adults: 500 yen
- Babies and Toddlers: Free
For More Information
City of Osaka Tennoji Zoo Page
3. Bornelund Kid-O-Kid
Kid-O-Kid is an indoor play space designed by the Tokyo-based toy company, Bornelund. They have several locations across Japan.
The smaller children love this place. Babies as young as 6 months old can safely play and interact with their surroundings.
There are structures to climb, bouncy surfaces to jump on, and lots of toys to play with. Toddlers love the dress-up clothes. They have fun putting them on for all kinds of creative, imaginary play.
Getting There
Follow the signs for Grand Front Osaka next to JR Osaka Station. There’s plenty of space to park your car in the complex.
Highlights and Tips
- Avoid busy times like rainy days, holidays, and special events. It can get pretty crowded with lots of older kids zooming around.
- “Play Leaders” walk around and engage the children. They give the parents a very short, but well-deserved break.
- The “free pass” covers 1 adult and 1 child and costs 1,700 yen. You can only buy this pass on a weekday. It might be the best option if you’re planning to stay a while.
Hours
10:00am – 7:00pm (last entry 6:30)
Admission
- Children (6mo to 12yo) – 600 yen for the first 30 minutes. 100 yen for each additional 10 minutes.
- Adults: 500 yen
- All Day Pass: 1,700 yen for one adult and one child (weekdays only)
For More Information
Bornelund Kid-O-Kid Homepage (Japanese only)
4. Muji Cafe & Meal
The Muji Cafe offers a wonderfully child-friendly place to get healthy, delicious food. It has two locations in Osaka: Abeno and Osaka Station.
Whether you stop in for a quick coffee or want a full lunch, the cafe has lots of options for you and your kids.
The menu offers a huge variety of food and drinks to choose from. They range from bakery bread and Japanese style lunches to chocolate cakes and matcha lattes.
Highlights and Tips
The staff is awesome. They’ll gladly carry your food to your table and bring you a high chair if you need a hand.
The Grand Front location is conveniently located one floor above Kid-O-Kid. You can have a post-playtime meal. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to sip a relaxing coffee while your child takes a nap in a stroller!
Hours
10:00am – 9:00pm
For More Information
Cafe & Meal Muj Homepage (Japanese only)
5. Kids Plaza
The Kids Plaza is a children’s museum with a wide variety of exhibitions and play areas. It boasts four floors of educational fun.
Don’t let the “museum” part of the description deter you – your kids will get very hands-on with the exhibits. It might be better to describe this place as a cross between a museum and a giant play area. But no matter what you decide to call it, your kids will have a blast.
The “Peek-A-Boo” room is just for babies and toddlers, so you can relax and let your little ones crawl around safely. The museum offers several fun areas for the older kids as well.
![Kids Plaza Osaka | Indoor Play Place | Childrens Museum [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NFy05LxQcEU/0.jpg)
Getting There
Go to Temma Station on the JR Loop Line. Exit the station and walk west for about three minutes.
Highlights and Tips
You can rent a stroller for free.
If you pack a lunch, you can enjoy it in the dining space on 4F.
Coin lockers are available. They’re great for storing bulky jackets and extra stuff.
Curiously, baby showers are also available… presumably for when your child needs a good hosing down after all the fun!
Hours
9:30am – 5:00pm (Last entry 45 minutes before closing)
Admission
- Adults: 1,400 yen
- Children 2 and under: Free
For More Information
6. ATC 遊びマーレ (Asobimare)
The ATC (Asobimare) is a giant indoor amusement park. It’s great for babies and older kids alike.
The “Toddler Zone” is dedicated to children under 5. It’s filled with toys and climbing structures. The “Baby Zone” is for one-year-olds and under.
Along with bouncy slides and ball pits, the giant playspace has an area where kids can put on costumes and have lots of fun with their imaginations.
Getting There
Take the Loop Line from JR Osaka Station to Bentencho. Transfer to the Chuo Subway Line (via Cosmos Square) and get off at Trade Center Mae Station.
Highlights and Tips
Adults can have fun here as well. You can play in sand pits filled with Kinetic Sand, a special type of sand that sticks to itself. You can build something with Jumbo Blocks if you don’t feel like getting dirty.
You can buy diapers and wipes at the front desk if you run out.
Hours
9:00am – 8:00pm
Admission
- Ages 2 and up: 900 yen on weekdays
- 1,100 yen on weekends
- 1-year-olds – 600 yen
- Babies under 1: Free
For More Information
Asobimare Homepage (Japanese only)
7. Kodomonia (Namba Parks)
Kodomonia is a great indoor play-space for kids of all ages. It’s located in the popular Namba Park shopping complex.
Babies and toddlers can hang out in “Koyama Koyama.” This area for kids under 3 really gets them excited. They have a blast climbing little “hills” and handling the colorful toys with their tiny hands.
There’s a room full of walls with holes all over them. The room sparks your kid’s curiosity and inspires them to play.
Another area allows your kids to unleash their creative side by drawing all over the walls and windows.
Getting There
Take the Nankai Line to Namba Station. The Namba Parks shopping complex is connected to the station.
Highlights and Tips
Kodomonia offers lots of fun daily activities. They include musical storytime, dancing, and “Find the buried treasure.”
Every Thursday is “Baby Day.” Children under a year old and their parents receive special discounts.
You can rent a stroller for 570 yen an hour (for up to 3 hours).
Hours
11:00am – 9:00pm
Admission
- Children under 8: 600 yen for the first 30 minutes, then an additional 100 yen every 10 minutes.
- Kids all-day pass: 1,200 yen
- Adults: 300 yen
For More Information
Kodomonia Homepage (Japanese Only)
Have You Taken Your Toddler or Baby to These Kid-Friendly Attractions in Osaka?
Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these places – or if you have any to add!
And don’t forget to share this article with your fellow traveling parents! They’ll thank you after they have a great time with their kids in Osaka!
