JAN 1-3, 2024: WHAT’S OPEN IN OSAKA?
I don’t want you to get caught out (like I have) during the New Year period in Osaka( or any part of Japan actually.)
Many people think I’m exaggerating almost EVERYTHING is closed down (especially once you step out of the city.)
I wanted to use this post to suggest some Jan 1-3, 2024 options. Especially for families who are looking for open options in Osaka.
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January 1-3 is the most “shut-down” you will ever see Japan be – with even some suburban convenience stores closing their doors 1-2 days.
If you are on holidays in Japan during this time, I highly recommend using this period of time to treat yourself to a ryokan or a hotel with beautiful baths and in-house restaurants. This is a great time to take a leaf out of the rest of Japan’s book and slow it all right down – experience Japan from your own special spot.
The early January break is actually a good thing as Japanese people rarely, rarely take holidays and this may be their only break.
Also, the city gets quiet as Japanese people travel to their hometowns and spend time with their family in the same way that we do, in Australia, at Christmas time.
I actually really, really love the quiet time.
With kids though… 2-3 days of hanging around at home makes me a little bit mental!
So here are the options for things that are still open in Osaka between January 1st and January 3rd (please note that some places have usual opening hours until January 5th.)
Here are my picks for some suggestions for things to do for those empty/ extra days in Osaka :
Okay, just a little tip if you’re ANYWHERE in Japan and need something to eat and basic supplies? Your local combini (convenience store) is the answer today.
Here are some suggestions for food that you can get at a convenience store that isn’t just junk food in Japan.
Head to a major hotel chain if you want to eat out.
Your Hiltons and Hyatts etc.
They will be open too. Their hours could be reduced though – and google doesn’t always keep up to date so best to check their website.
Don’t forget about department store dining options:
Grand Front Osaka
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2 & 3: Business as usual (the food court here is really really good for families – I speak about it more in my Osaka with kids post.)
Abeno Harukas
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2 & 3:Unsure at this stage
Kintetsu Hoop
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10am-7pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Keihan Department Store Moriguchi
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10am-7pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Lucua Osaka (Umeda)
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Shops open 10am-8:30pm & restaurants 10:30am-11pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Takashimaya Osaka
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 9:30am-8pm *Starbucks is open from 9:30am* & restaurants open 11am-11pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Daimaru Shinsaibashi
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 9:45am-8pm & restaurants open from 11am-10pm
Jan 3: 10am-8pm & estaurants open from 11am-10pm
Daimaru Umeda
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 9:30am-8pm *expected to be busy so doors may open 30 mins ahead of schedule
Hankyu Umeda
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 9:30am-7pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Hanshin Umeda
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 9:30am-8pm *expected to be busy so doors may open 30 mins ahead of schedule
Jan 3: Business as usual
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is open the whole time – in fact even longer hours than normal. Please be aware that their new year events are very popular and often sell out quickly.
THE NEW DONKEY KONG COUNTRY SECTION: Opens Dec 11.
It will be sooooo busy from Dec – June 2025 so please please please please get all the express passes you can (need to be purchased ahead of time.) With kids, I wouldn’t make promises that you will get to see this new land BUT you may get to see more of the others as the crowds will be focused on this section (great news for Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter fans!)
UNIVERSAL WALK (THE RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS JUST OUTSIDE OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN)
If you are looking for lots of dining options in Osaka on January 1st – I recommend heading here (if will be busy though.) Almost all restaurants and shops are open between 10am-10pm.
See here for the list of restaurants as Universal City Walk.
Playcentre Asobi no Sekai, Grand Front Osaka
Jan 1 : Closed
Jan 2 & 3: Open but with more expensive holiday rates
Games arcade and Sports Centre and Karaoke box centre ：Round 1 Sennichimae
Jan 1-3: Open with special holiday rates
Kids Plaza Osaka (this is a giant playcentre meets children’s museum)
I’ve written in detail about kids plaza here.
Jan 1 & 2: Closed
Jan 3: Open from 9:30am
Osaka Castle
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2 & 3: Business as usual
Osaka Castle Museum
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2 & 3: Business as usual
And just before or after the castle you can go to this playground (never closes.) It is just 10 minutes walk from the castle is Osaka Castle Playground Equipment Square ( known in Japanese as Kodomo Tenshukaku). The highlight for your kids will be the giant roller slide! ( Warning, this park gets quite busy from midday on weekends. If you are going for the park and not the park and castle it is 1 minute walk from Morinomiya subway station or 2 minutes walk from JR Morinomiya Station.
Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka is closed for all of January
Legoland Discovery Centre Osaka
Open Jan 1-3 10am-6pm
Places to eat out in Osaka with kids over the New Years Period *Best to ask your hotel to make a reservation asap”
Cosme Kitchen Adaptation
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 9:30am-8pm
Jan 3: Business as usual
Chibo Okonomiyaki in Sennichimae or Dotombori
Jan 1-3: Open 11am-11pm
Bills Japan, Osaka (Australian restaurant)
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2&3: Business as usual
