Everything will be A-OK if you’re going to Osaka with kids. If you’ve read any of my other Japan destination “guides” you’ll know that Japan is so easy to travel around with kids.
Maybe one of the best parks in all of Japan, and what should be near the top of your list of things to do in Osaka with kids, the Expo 70 Commemoration Park is a massive park a ways out from the city but well worth visiting. Loads of space to run riot, flower fields, lakes, rivers, ponds, forts, spiders, grass areas to have picnics on, I had a ball here and if your kids need to let off steam, this is the place to take them. It’s humungus so if you have little ones, make sure you bring the pram, and if you don’t have one, pretty sure you can hire them. Make sure you try and visit all the places within the park because they’re all worth going to. This is what a park should be like and the clowns who’re in charge of Hong Kong’s parks should take note.
Universal Studio is always listed on any list of places to visit in Osaka with kids, should you be into Minions like I was at the time, it’s well worth the trip. Should that not be your thing, you’ll still be entertained by the amount of Japanese adults who dress up in Minion outfits and go all out “Minion”. There’s all the usual rides and other stuff, but I really just went to see Minion show, and don’t remeber doing much else.
Kids Plaza Osaka is walking distance from the InterContinental Hotel, about 1.5 km I think. Absolutely millions of kids in there when we got there, but luckily, there was a giant interactive screen that I spent about one hour on, chasing things on the screen, much to the amusement, or lack actually lack of amusement, of the security guide, who thought I was stark raving mad. Then, my Dad and I stayed in the park for about 2 hours while I ran up and down chasing pigeons. Most excellent!
And of course, don’t forget to check out Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, maybe one of the best aquarium’s in Japan we’ve seen, and trust me, I am an absolute expert when it comes to aquariums in Japan and throughout Asia. Quite a few people there in the afternoon but it’s all very well behaved so Dad keeps his poo together. Looking back on some photos, this is where I bought Toucan from so it’s especially special for me.
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