When you travel with your kids, you would wonder what is fun for kids there and how easy to get around the place with them.
Especially if they are still really young, you need a place for changing diapers and would like to bring a stroller.
Osaka is a really fun city for travelers, and the city offers many attractions for any kinds of generations.
Before you go, check the list below introducing how to enjoy the places with your kids, and refer the indexes which helps you to plan your trip with kids.
*** Stroller accessibility : How much you can see in the attraction with a stroller
A : You can explore the entire site with your stroller
B : You sometimes need to fold or leave your stroller
C : The ground is partly covered with pebbles or gravel
D : The combination of B&C and a stroller is not really recommended
Osaka castle
Stroller Accessibility : B
Changing station : ◯
Escalator/Elevator : ◯
Osaka castle is an ideal place to learn about the samurai history in Japan. The castle tower was restored about 80 years ago and it’s equipped with elevators (what a modern castle ! ), which takes you to 5th floor, and to the observatory on 8th floor you basically must walk up and walk down to the ground floor. If you have too much physical difficulty, ask an elevator staff if you can use the elevator up to 8th floor (they take this rule because there is only 1 elevator which reaches the top floor and it can’t accommodate thousands of visitor every day).
At the entrance of the castle tower, you’re instructed to leave you stroller and you have to get around inside without it.
If your kids are a bit older like over 6 years or so, it would be fun to let them wear samurai costume and take a photo in front of the castle tower. The castle has a costume rental and photo service (the photo shooting by their camera and your phone is for free and you have to pay only if you would like to buy their photos).
Beside the castle tower, you’ll find a classic western building, named Jo-Terrace, which houses some souvenir shops and cafes. You can find a place to try ninja shuriken dart and samurai/ninja experience. There is a space for breastfeeding as well.
A changing station is basically equipped at a multipurpose restroom.
The castle park is pretty big, and you must walk a lot from the park entrance to the castle tower (700m-1000m). There are some electric cars going between them, and if you have a stroller, just fold it when riding on it.
Dotombori and Shinsaibashi
Stroller Accessibility : B
Changing station : △
Escalator/Elevator : △
The most iconic place in Osaka with numerous shops from high brand to casual and reasonable goods.
It’s no problem to go along the streets with stroller and you can also go down to the riverside by slope.
However, it’s not an ideal shopping area with stroller because each store and some restaurants are pretty small and sometimes with only staircases(that’s why I say the accessibility as B).
If you would like to go shopping comfortably in Namba and Shinsaibashi area with stroller, Takashimaya, Daimaru and Namba parks are easy with wider paths, a kids room with breastfeeding space and changing stations.
Kuromon Market
Stroller Accessibility : B
Changing station : △
When you would like to grab some fresh seafood, tasty beef and sweet fruits in Osaka, Kuromon market offers everything for you.
The street is flat but some shops might be too narrow to get in with a stroller and also the street can be pretty busy, but most of the foods are sold along the street and there is a rest space on the south side of the market, so you can buy some food on the street and get a table at the rest space on the south side of the market, where you can also find a changing station at the ladies restroom.
Abeno Harukasu
Stroller Accessibility : A
Changing station : ◯
Escalator/Elevator : ◯
The tallest building in Japan (except for towers such as Sky Tree), and the view from height of 300m amazingly covers not only Osaka but also Kobe city and some islands if the weather is clear.
This is one of the newest complex in Osaka and the facilities are comfortable for a family with kids.
This building is the complex of Kintetsu department store, offices, Hotel Mariotte and stations of Kintetsu Railway connected with JR and Metro Tennnoji station. So the train access is perfect and shopping is also easy.
If you look for more reasonable shopping place, just cross the street and find Q’s mall. The mall is equipped with kids room, breast feeding space and changing stations almost on every floor, and this is one of the best family-friendly shopping malls in Osaka city.
Tennoji zoo and park are just across the street, and this area is really recommended for families !
Tennoji zoo and park
Stroller Accessibility : A
Changing station : ◯
Just across Harukasu and Q’s mall, there is another fun attraction site for kids.
The zoo accommodates more than 100 types of animals, some of which are Japanese original species. Sometimes you have a chance to touch or feed some of the animals.
There are some changing stations equipped and some strollers are available for rent (an elephant stroller is a popular one !).
Some food stands are in the zoo, and outside of the zoo on Tennoji station side Tenshiba park offers some more attractions and lively restaurants.
Osaka Temmangu shrine and Tenjinbashisuji shopping street
Stroller Accessibility : B
Changing station : ◯
A historical shrine where the biggest festival in Osaka called Tenjin festival is held.
The field is not too bumpy but basically sandy and need a little hustle to reach the main hall with a stroller. A changing station is in the restroom.
Tenjinbashisuji shopping street which is just beside Osaka Temmangu shrine, is the longest shopping street in Japan.
The size of each shop is not so big and it might be difficult to get in to some stores with a stroller but there go much less people than Dotombori (but still very lively), and it’s easier to walk with kids. An owl cafe near the shrine would be a good place for kids to have fun.
Aquarium (Kaiyukan)
Stroller Accessibility : A
Changing station : ◯
Escalator/Elevator : ◯
One of the biggest aquariums in Japan, and you can meet numerous type of fish and sea animals.
You can use the elevator to go up to the top floor and just go down on the slopes, and it’s pretty easy and comfortable. If your kids love fish and animals, this should be an ideal place to visit, especially on a rainy day as it’s a huge indoor attraction. Don’t miss the feeding time and their performance shows !
Souvenirs sold there should be something kids love, such as penguin backpack and
Strollers are allowed in the aquarium, but if it’s crowded it’s better to leave your stroller at the entrance. Changing rooms are equipped in every restroom and a breastfeeding space is on the 2nd floor and 6th floor.
There is a small shopping mall called Tempozan Market Place just beside the aquariums, where you can have a lunch. Small Legoland and a small indoor zoo are also housed there.
The ferris wheel there is also one of the biggest in Japan (even in the world), and it’s cool to see the view of Osaka bay from the ferris wheel (you can leave your stroller at the entrance).
Universal Studio Japan
Stroller Accessibility : B
Changing station : ◯
The theme park Osaka is really proud of. Of course there are some original attractions of Universal Studio such as Jurassic Park and Spider Man but some Japanese original ones are what you can’t miss (Nintendo is coming soooon !)
The accessibility of each attraction depends on how tall or how old your children are. Elmo’s little drive, Greetings such as Minions and shows like Sing on Tour are something even small kids can enjoy. Some of the super thrilling ride attractions such as Harry Potter Forbidden journey anf Hollywood Dream the Ride requires height of 122cm or 132cm.
You can get around the park with a stroller and a stroller rent is also available at the entrance (1,100 yen/day).
There are 2 kids rooms which are equipped with changing stations, breastfeeding space, boiling water and microwave for baby/kids food.
Changing stations are basically equipped with every restrooms, except for those at restaurants. Even baby foods are sold at Snoopy Backlot cafe and Studio Star Restaurants.
Animal Cafes
Changing station : △
Even though kids don’t know how to speak Japanese, becoming friends with animals is something common they can do anywhere in the world. In Osaka, other than aquarium and zoo and saying hello to dogs on the street (no stray ones, they’re always with their owners), visiting an animal cafe is an easy way to meet animals.
At most of the cafes, you pay for an hour stay (or sometimes longer) with a drink, and while staying in the cafe, you can play and sometimes feed animals there.
The most popular one is a cat cafe, and now shibainu dog cafe is getting more popular. If you would like to meet any other unusual animals, an owl cafe, reptile cafe, hedgehog cafes are also attractive.
Changing stations could be difficult to be found as most of the cafes don’t have a big restroom.
Cup noodle Museum
Stroller Accessibility : A
Changing station : ◯
Escalator/Elevator : ◯
Located in the suburb of Osaka city, the museum exhibits the history of Nissin Cup noodle. For kids as well as adults, making your own cup noodle should be fun, drawing pictures on the cup. If you book much in advance, you can join a Ramen noodle making class as well.
Changing stations are equipped in the restrooms, and elevators make you easy to go up and down with strollers.
From Osaka City, you must take a train (taxi costs pretty a lot) but the access from the nearest station Ikeda (Hankyu Railway) is really easy.
These above are the most popular sightseeing places in Osaka. Of course taxi is the easiest way to reach each place but trains are also possible way to travel as most of the attractions are pretty close to stations (but definitely avoid rush hours, between 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm).
Temples, shrines and local stores could be difficult to walk with a stroller as they don’t have elevators and shops could be really narrow. On the other hand, most of the modern buildings are equipped with changing stations and elevators or escalators, and you get relaxed to travel with kids in those places.
Japanese people are kind to travelers, especially to kids, and they would help you if you have problems on the street.
Once you know how easy to travel in Osaka, don’t hesitate but enjoy your trip !
tokie
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