Please note that this exhibition has finished.
See here for my Osaka with kids suggestions.
This exhibition was definitely was created with children in mind.
We visited 3 times when they were in Tokyo recently and now they have moved on to Osaka and I HIGHLY recommend!!
Kiddies can become different creatures in the wild through dress up, interactive exhibits and beautiful photo opportunities.
My kids loved it all soooo much.
Tip 1(if it is the same as the Tokyo exhibit…) : Be warned there is a “REAL” dinosaur (very full-on, even for adults) that walks the length of the exhibition, roaring and approaching visitors, at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm on Weekdays – so avoid these times or visit on weekends if this sounds like something that would give your little one nightmares for years and years to come.
Our highlights were: the opportunity to dress as bugs, then as penguins and slide down into a shark’s mouth on our bellies and my kids were crazy for the ‘Poo’ area – where you can see the size of different animal poo and even a “smell wall.” ( Kids are so weird. Poo is hilarious…. of course.)
The video, when you first enter, is quite loud and only has English subtitles (audio in Japanese, of course) but my kids didn’t mind as they loved the children in the video and ….well… it only runs for 1.5 minutes.
Tip 2: Almost all the exhibits require shoes to be taken off (but then, of course, put back on afterwards) so DEFINITELY go for easy on and off shoes for everyone. If you’d rather your kids wear boots etc to travel to the exhibit in cold weather – I even think it would be worth slipping them into an easily removable pair just before they enter the museum. Trust me. I put on and then took off 3 pairs of shoes over 12 times this afternoon!
The exhibition is on until August 26, 2018 so you’ll have plenty of time to visit. Although I predict it will be popular – especially with school groups.
They allow strollers inside the building but they will need to be “parked” in the designated area.
Admission is 1400 yen for adults and 800 yen for children (kids younger than 2 are free.)
Open almost everyday except for Mondays. For more information before you go check here
The exhibit is held inside of Hirakata Theme Park so there is lots to do before and after the exhibit (although I do recommend going to the exhibit first thing in the morning.). To plan your trip to Hirakata, see the English access details here.
For my other Osaka with Kids tips, see my post here.
