5 Family Friendly Attractions Your Kids Will Love in Osaka

Famous throughout Japan for its architecture and nightlife, Osaka is a large port city and the commercial capital of the island of Honshu. The main tourist area of Dotonbori is not to be missed–particularly at night, when the area is alive with people and memorizing signs advertising all the quirky street food on offer.

Architecture, nightlife, and street food? That’s the adults sorted, but what if you’re planning a trip to Osaka with the family and you have children to entertain? We’ve put together five of our favorite attractions that your kids will love almost as much as you.

Universal Studios

You probably already know something about Universal Studios, and just the name will get your children excited. These movie-themed amusement parks are located worldwide and have a fantastic reputation. Osaka’s version is no different.

While the Spiderman, Jaws, and Jurassic Park rides are not to be missed, it’s the Harry Potter Fans who are in for the most fun. A dedicated and very impressive Hogwarts area, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has received–even from the most dedicated of fans–nothing but praise since opening.

Osaka Castle

Image on Flickr by pushreset

Find yourself in the city during a period of great weather? There’s no better place to spend a sunny day than in and around the grounds of this beautiful castle. The surrounding gardens are almost as nice as the castle itself, but if you do venture inside, you won’t be disappointed. The interior is now a modern museum with great exhibits explaining the history of the castle since it’s completion in 1597.

Aquarium Kaiyukan

Your journey through the pacific ocean starts with a giant escalator to the top of the aquarium. From here, you slowly descend from the surface to deeper and deeper waters, passing through the recreated habits along the way to give you a sense of what really goes on beneath the waves.

Umeda Sky Building

One of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the Umeda Sky Building is home to the Floating Garden Observatory: A 39th-floor bridge connecting two towers that offers incredible 360° views of the city (and even as far as the island of Awaji Island on a clear day).

The open-air deck allows you to feel the wind through your hair, and at 173 m, it can sometimes be quite strong. As a family-friendly attraction, however, it’s more than safe and well worth the views.

Osaka Science Museum

If your kids were well-behaved while you explored Osaka Castle and took in the views from the Floating Garden, then why not treat them with an afternoon at the Osaka Science Museum? It’s full of fun experiments and hands on exhibits that are not only a lot of fun, but also educational. The museum focuses on space and energy and is highly interactive throughout.

Osaka is a very family-friendly city, and you’ll have no problem finding more ways to keep everyone happy. So go out there and enjoy the restaurants, sites, and landmarks that this fascinating city has to offer.