I have been sending my Osaka with Kids suggestions to family and friends so, instead of typing it up again I thought I would put a post up here. Sharing is caring! (and lazier option for me.)
If you are here simply for Where to eat with kids in Osaka recommendations, go straight to my blog post here.
This blog post contains some affiliate links. This means that I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using my link – at no additional charge to you.
Here are my tips for visiting Universal Studios with Kids while in Osaka.
THE NEW DONKEY KONG COUNTRY SECTION: Opened 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!)I’ve written more about Donkey Kong Country here.
Photo courtesy of @teamhewittx4
Also, here are my tips for places to eat just outside of Universal Studios with kids.
If you’re looking for somewhere great to eat with kids ( with lots of different, smoke free options and high chairs..) see my post on one of my favourite spots to eat in Osaka with kids.
I used to live in Kobe ( for more than 7 years in total) which is only 30 minutes from Osaka on the train.
Osaka used to be where I would do all of my major shopping sprees and nightclubbing.
Boy, have times changed, right?!
I still love this city so much.
It’s gritty and grungy in all the right ways.
If you love street food and really feeling like you’re in amongst it all – you will love this place.
Breakfast suggestion in Osaka: I give the address and details below but Bikkuri Donkey in Nishi-Shinsaibashi opens at 8am and they serve a breakfast plate with toast, eggs and bacon for a little under 1000 yen. Scroll down to for the Bikkuri Donkey address and more information.
The people of Osaka are known for being casual and funny (any Japanese person will tell you that the best comedians are from here!) and they do casual food better than anyone else in this country.
If you are looking to visit the Pokemon Cafe in Osaka, please be aware that reservations are almost impossible to get your hands on – so please please please don’t promise your child that you can go until you are sure. On the other hand though, the Osaka Pokemon Center (large merch store) is bigger than the Tokyo option.
Starting with the newer side of the station, I would first of all recommend checking out Grand Front Osaka. ( I wrote about the Grand Front Osaka in great depth here, actually.)
It is a brand new shopping complex. It’s enormous and it’s so beautiful.
This is definitely the place to come for beautiful breastfeeding and baby change rooms. The whole building is immaculate.
Breastfeeding rooms, change tables, boiling water etc can be found on the basement 1 floor, 4th floor of the South Wing and the 4th floor of the North Wing.
There are coin lockers throughout the complex too.
The whole complex is smoke-free so makes for a really easy place to have dinner with the kids on the top restaurant floors. There is so many different kinds of restaurants to choose from.
On the 6th floor of the North Wing, some sections even have open seating so you can buy food from different restaurants and then eat together food court style – which is fantastic when you have fussy eaters or everyone wants to try something different.
GRAND FRONT OSAKA
大阪市北区大深町4-1
4-1 OFUKACHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 10AM-9PM (RESTAURANTS OPEN: 11AM-11PM)
Extra services for those visiting Grand Front Osaka with children
– Stroller rental ( in-house use only) between 10am -8:30pm from the information desks on 2F of the South Building or 1F of the North Building. Only for children under 4.
– Baby Rooms. Umekita Hirobe in the Basement B1F, 4F of the South Building, 4F of the North Building. ( Breastfeeding spaces, Boiling Water, Change Tables, Juice Vending Machines)
– Places for kids to play or to sit down and have an bento together. South Building Outdoor Water Space. North Building Outdoor Water Space. ” The Garden” outdoor space.
There is also a Kid o Kid large playcentre within the Grand Front Osaka complex. The name of the centre is “Asobi no Sekai Grand Front Osaka “
It is on the 3rd floor. Ive written in detail about it here.
Not so kid-friendly sushi place but GREAT for one parent who wants to step out alone for a quick sushi meal.
Sakae Sushi is 8 mins walk from Nipponbashi Station. It is open from 5pm – 7am. It’s not kid-friendly as it’s a hole in the wall type spot and smoking is allowed. It’s cheap and grungy but the fish is fresh and very reasonably priced. I think, if you really wanted to, you could go with a bigger child but still… it’s more of an eat alone sitting at a counter type place. If you were to eat a sit down meal here I would budget around 2500 yen per person. They do accept most major credit cards. Pull out google translate as there is no English menu but there are lots of pictures.
SAKAE SUSHI
大阪市中央区宗右衛門町2-27
2-27 SOUEMONCHO, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 5PM-7AM
CLOSED FOR THE NEW YEARS PERIOD
On the other, older part of the station, if you’re looking for a lovely area to walk around and take on of the most fashionable shopping and cafe districts near the station, I recommend a stroll around Chayamachi.
Eggs’n’Things is a Hawaiian restaurant built around the concept of “All Day Breakfast” ( a relatively new idea for Japan.) It is light and bright and there are several of these restaurants around Japan but this is branch my favourite – mainly because of the space and shorter lines. This restaurant is well-known for the mountain of whipped cream on their sweet pancakes. YUM! They also have savoury options and a kids menu (egg and hamburger steak plate or fruit and cream pancakes with a chocolate pen to decorate). They have high chairs and the staff are very welcoming when it comes to families.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards and the entire restaurant is non-smoking. Free colouring for kids too.
EGGS’N’THINGS UMEDA CHAYAMACHI
大阪市北区茶屋町1-45
1-45 CHAYAMACHI, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 9AM-8PM
For a really fun and trendy cafe vibe in Chayamachi, I recommend Wired Cafe Umeda NU Chayamachi.
Lunch sets at Wired Cafe Umeda NU Chayamachi are pasta, salad or rice dishes and come with a small drink and a dessert for around 1300 yen. For dinner I would budget around 3000 yen per adult.
They do accept reservations & accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Wired Cafe Umeda Nu Chayamachi also have space to store strollers while you dine.
WIRED CAFE UMEDA NU CHAYAMACHI
大阪市北区茶屋町10-12 NU 茶屋町 2F
2ND FLOOR, NU CHAYAMACHI, 10-12 CHAYAMACHI, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 10AM-11PM
Just 10 mins walk from Wired Cafe Umeda Nu Chayamachi or 11 mins from Umeda Station, is Gluten Free Cafe & Shisha Bar Anosaki Konosaki. This entire cafe is gluten free. Meal options include hamburger steaks and fried chicken and dessert options such as cheesecake or waffles.There is additional seating upstairs.
GLUTEN FREE CAFE & SHISHA BAR ANOSAKI KONOSAKI
GROUND FLOOR, 1-2-5 NAKAZAKINISHI, KITA WARD
CHECK THE ANOSAKI KONOSAKI INSTAGRAM PAGE FOR OPEN HOURS BUT USUALLY OPEN DAILY 11AM-11PM
If it’s greens and vegetables you’re craving, I recommend Cosme Kitchen Adaptation in Umeda.
It is located next to the Hanshin Umeda Station but is only 3 mins walk from JR Osaka. Lunch sets are around 2000 yen and dinner more like 3000 yen. They accept most major credit cards and the entire restaurant is non-smoking. You can sit indoors or out on the terrace. They have an English Menu available and an allergen friendly menu. They also have a kids menu and space to store strollers while you dine.
Please note that many meals here may seems like they are vegan but they aren’t always – so please check and ask for an ingredient list – same goes for gluten free options. This restaurant welcomes children, has space to store strollers while you dine, accepts most major credit cards and also accepts reservations. All customers are asked to order a meal when they dine (ie. you can’t just come in for a drink.)
COSME KITCHEN ADAPTATION
北区梅田1-13-13 阪神百貨店梅田本店3F WELLNESS SQUARE
3F WELLNESS SQUARE, HANSHIN HYAKKATEN (DEPARTMENT STORE) UMEDA MAIN BRANCH, KITA-KU, UMEDA
COSME KITCHEN ADAPTATION MENU HERE
A HEARTY MEAL WITH ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAD OR RICE!
A fabulous lunch or dinner option for kids (and parents) who want a really hearty meal,I recommend Bakery & Restaurant Saint Marc.
This is a restaurant where you order your meal and also enjoy all you can eat bread (or switch bread for rice if you prefer!)
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. They have a place to store your stroller while you dine.
There is also a kid’s menu that includes options like a kid’s Japanese curry, macaroni gratin or children’s doria with potato wedges, broccoli and tomatoes, mini hamburgers served with wedges and salad and also a kid’s bento plate that has a piece of chicken, a burger patty, some broccoli, tomato and corn with wedges with some small jellies. Kids meals are all under 1000 yen.
The meals for adults are mostly steaks and hamburger steaks served on sizzling hot plates or pastas or salads and main dishes can come as an all you can eat bread or rice set. You can also pay a few hundred yen extra and make use of the all-you-can-drink soft drink and juice bar.
This restaurant is 4 mins walk from Umeda Station.
An example of a kid’s meal at Bakery & Table Restaurant Saint Marc
BAKERY & RESTAURANT SAINT MARC, OSAKA STATION CITY
16TH FLOOR, OSAKA STATION CITY SOUTH GATE BUILDING, UMEDA, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-10PM
A Casual Italian Restaurant just 2 mins walk from Umeda Station
Pizzeria Porchetta is casual (diner/coffee house vibes) and so family friendly. It is located inside Yodobashi Umeda on the 8th floor. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. For adults, I would budget approximately 2000 yen for a meal here. They do accept reservations and walk-ins. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Although the website is in Japanese, you can see pictures of all of their pasta and pizza options here (use google translate for the descriptions too.). All pizza and pasta dishes are between 900-1500 yen. Pizzeria Porchetta also serve fries.
PIZZERIA PORCHETTA, UMEDA LINKS
大阪市北区大深町1-1 ヨドバシ梅田8F
8TH FLOOR, YODOBASHI UMEDA, 1-1 OFUKACHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-11PM
And on the same floor of Yodobashi Umeda is Hawaiian Pancake Factory, Umeda. As the name suggests, this restaurant serves Hawaiian food and pancakes. This is a walk-in restaurant only (the restaurant does seat 54 people so even if you have to wait, it hopefully won’t be for too long.) Hawaiian Pancake Factory accepts most major credit cards. I would budget around 2000 yen for an adult meal here. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
HAWAIIAN PANCAKE FACTORY, UMEDA
大阪市北区大深町1-1 ヨドバシ梅田8F
8TH FLOOR, YODOBASHI UMEDA, 1-1 OFUKACHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-11PM (LAST ORDERS AT 10PM)
In the same complex is casual tonkatsu restaurant Tonkatsu Wako. They have high chairs here.
They do accept most major credit cards.
See the full Tonkatsu Wako menu in English here. And the adorable kids menu plates here. Each kids meal comes with a small toy.
大阪市北区大深町1-1 ヨドバシ梅田8F
8TH FLOOR, YODOBASHI UMEDA, 1-1 OFUKACHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-11PM (LAST ORDERS AT 10PM)
Organic Cafe
This cafe Natural Kitchen Medaka Ni-goten has amazing lunch sets and there is also a kids menu. The menu changes daily but always has a protein with a side of 2-3 vegetable dishes.
This restaurant does accept reservations. There is also a small vegetarian menu in English. Popular menu items include the vegetable curry and the salad bowls.
Please do note that, although this restaurant’s menu is filled with lots of beautiful, organic vegetables – it is not a vegetarian restaurant so please check and ask for a meat-free meal if you are vegetarian.
There are often 1 or 2 vegan options here AND gluten free meals- best to have your hotel call and confirm ahead of time.
Natural Kitchen Medaka Ni-goten is 11 minutes walk from Umeda Station. Please note that this restaurant is cash only. The entire restaurant is non-smoking and has free wifi.
NATURAL KITCHEN MEDAKA NI-GOTEN
大阪市北区兎我野町3-20 雁木ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, GANGI BUILDING, 3-20 TOGANOCHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-8:30PM (LAST ORDER AT 8PM)
Round1 Umeda
Another great activity option with kids is Round1 in Umeda. This is a whole amusement, arcade, karaoke and sports centre in the middle of Umeda. It is 3 mins walk from Umeda Station and 7 mins walk from JR Osaka Station.
SEE HERE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON TAKING KIDS OUT TO KARAOKE IN JAPAN.
ROUND1 UMEDA
4-16 KOMATSUBARACHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY (ARCADE SECTION CLOSED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AT 6AM, KIDS CAN ONLY ENTER AFTER 7PM IF WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN AND MUST LEAVE BY 10PM)
This is the most iconic Osaka sightseeing spot there is. You will need to take the subway or a cab to get here and I highly recommend visiting at night as it all just looks so much more beautiful and the area really comes to life.
The most famous place to take a picture is in front of the Glico Man sign. (Warning: the sign is often switched off at 9pm so make sure you get your Glico running man picture before then.)
If you’re looking for a really fun family-friendly activity (fun for teens too) I recommend visiting Round One Sennichimae (just 4 mins walk from Dotombori.)
Here they have bowling, karaoke booths, darts, arcade games and indoor ball pits, indoor football and VR games. This place is truly incredible.
Children under 16 must be with a legal guardian and aren’t allowed to visit after 10pm
ROUND ONE SENNICHIMAE
大阪市中央区難波1-3-1
1-3-1 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 6AM-MIDNIGHT (SOME FACILITIES OPEN LATER)
*If you miss out on Round One in Osaka, don’t worry as I speak about the Round One option in Kyoto in my Kyoto with kids post.
Where to eat with kids after visiting Dotonbori:
A fantastic option is Gyozaoh! Dotonbori. It is 6 mins walk from the Dotonbori bridge (it takes the same amount of time in a cab so, sorry, no shortcuts for this one.) The gyoza here are delicious and also there are vegan menu options.
This restaurant sometimes accepts reservations but most diners walk in. On weekends – there can be a 20-30 min wait so- with kids, I recommend going there right at 5pm. There are counter seats and table seats. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
This restaurant also serves wine, sake and cocktails.
GYOZAOH! DOTONBORI STORE
大阪市中央区道頓堀2-4-14
2-4-14 DOTONBORI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 5PM-11PM
Another option that is loved by the locals is Teppanyaki Dohtonbori Okonomiyaki. The staff will show you how to cook your own teppan (hot plate) at your own table. This restaurant is vibey and casual and is popular with high school and university students. Just a heads up that teppanyaki in Japan may be different to teppanyaki back at home and I explain why in my blog post here. This restaurant does accept reservations. Budget wise – I would expect to pay around 2000 yen per adult at dinner time and 1000 yen at lunch. Most major credit cards are accepted here. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
TEPPANYAKI DOHTONBORI OKONOMIYAKI, OSAKA MAIN BRANCH
大阪市中央区難波1-6-20
1-6-20 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN MIDDAY-11PM (LAST ORDER 10PM)
7 mins walk from Gyozaoh! is Okonomiyaki chain restaurant branch Chibo’s Dotombori branch. Warning; this restaurant often has a line from around 5pm so it’s best to go for lunch or a super early dinner. In case you’re not aware, okonomiyaki is like a savoury omelette/pancake cooked on the hot plate. It’s a great dish to enjoy with kids as they can watch it being cooked and it’s also easy to ask for certain ingredients to not be added etc.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards and both floors of the restaurant are non-smoking.
In terms of budget, I would expect to pay between 1000-2000 yen per adult here for lunch or dinner.
This picture is from another Chibo restaurant branch – but the vibe is similar.
Read my tips here on how to order a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki in Japanese.
CHIBO, DOTOMBORI
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-11PM (LAST ORDER 10PM)
How about grabbing a slice of pizza at Slices in Nishishinsaibashi ( 6 mins walk from Dotombori.). There are also many vegan pizza options.
If you book ahead, they also sometimes offer pizza making experiences for kids on Sundays- in English.
They accept cash and cards. There is a small amount of seating – all counter seating. They also serve wine and cocktails. Takeout allowed.
This is a fabulous and easy dinner with kids in Osaka.
SLICES
2-3-21 NISHISHINSAIBASHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN: TUESDAY-SUNDAY 12PM-12AM
CLOSED: MONDAYS
Or
Try vegan restaurant Paprika Shokudo ( 5 mins walk from exit 3 of Shinsaibashi subway station on the Midosuji line or 2 mins walk from Yotsubashi subway station on the Yotsubashi line via exit 2 OR 20 mins walk or 7 mins in a cab – approx 750 yen from Dotonbori.). They accept most major credit cards.
This restaurant serves meal plates ( one plate will include a few dishes and a salad or grain, for example.) For this restaurant I would budget around 2000 yen per person. Ingredients here are organic. This restaurant seats 40 people. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
PAPRIKA SHOKUDO
大阪市西区新町1-9-9アリビオビル1F
ARIBIO BULIDING, GROUND FLOOR, 1-9-9 SHINMACHI, NISHI-KU, OSAKA
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30-3PM (LAST ORDER 2:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5:30PM-9PM (LAST ORDER 10PM)
Also in Nishi-Shinsaibashi (3 mins walk from Yotsubashi Station) is Hamburger Steak/ Grill restaurant called “Bikkuri Donkey”. The name always makes me laugh as it literally translates to “Surprise Donkey” but the interior is quirky ( kind of like dining inside “Western River Railroad” at Disneyland.). It’s a casual restaurant and lots of families dine here.
The cuisine is “hamburger steaks served on mini hot plates.” Many adults meals come out on hot grill plates so please watch little toddlers and baby hands here.
Please note that when the menu states “burger” it refers to a ground meat patty.
Bikkuri Donkey have two kids menu options: Kids Regular Burger Plate – comes with a small salad and rice ( 550 yen or 660 yen with a drink) OR Kids Egg Burger Plate – comes with a small salad, fries and a sunny side egg on the burger patty ( 660 yen or 770 yen with a drink .)
They have a cute kids menu .
This restaurant is entirely non-smoking.
There is one gluten free hamburger steak option at this restaurant too. I would budget around 1500 yen per adult to dine here.
In the morning, they also offer a breakfast plate with eggs and toast and bacon for approximately 1000 yen.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. They also take reservations and walk-ins.
This branch has lots of stairs down to the restaurant. However, if you have a stroller, the staff will help you bring it down the stairs and can store if for you while you dine.
Some Bikkuri Donkey branches have also introduced a vegan soy hamburger steak (served with rice.) It’s usually on the menu down near the kids menu section.
BIKKURI DONKEY, AMEMURA BRANCH
大阪市西心斎橋2-11-30 ブルータスビルB1F
B1 BRUTUS BUILDING, 2-11-30 NISHI-SHINSAIBASHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-MIDNIGHT
A dessert or snack option while near Dotonbori, is Strawberry Mania Dotonbori. This stall sells mochi with the fresh strawberry in the middle, They also serve soft-serve ice-cream with a fresh strawberry on top.
STRAWBERRY MANIA,DOTONBORI
1-3-17 DOTONBORI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-10PM
Or how about an okonomiyaki restaurant that has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for great quality and value for money?
Mizuno Okonomiyaki is 5 mins walk from Namba Station on the Midosuji line and 5 mins walk from Nipponbashi Station. For those looking for gluten free okonomiyaki in Osaka, I recommend ordering the Yamaimo-yaki ( yamaimo is a Japanese mountain yam)。Yamaimoyaki uses the yamaimo instead of flour to make the okonomiyaki which then makes it a gluten free okonomiyaki option.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards but only for purchases of over 3000 yen.
Children are welcome here. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
MIZUNO OKONOMIYAKI
大阪市中央区道頓堀1-4-15
1-4-15 DOTOMOBORI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-10PM
Shabu-Shabu, Sukiyaki or Yakiniku with kids near Namba Station
If you are looking to eat Shabu Shabu or Sukiyaki in the Namba area with kids then I recommend dining at Kuroge-Wagyu Yakiniku, Shabu Shabu, Sukiyaki Zen Shinsaibashi. It is 3 mins walk from Namba Station. This restaurant will require a reservation. They welcome children and little babies. They accept most major credit cards. Please note that there is a service charge of 330 yen per person to dine here ( you are given an otoshi as a thank you and you don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to- just keep it on the table.)
They have an English menu here. There is space to store your stroller while you dine.
I recommend budgeting for 4000 yen per adult here – but this amount includes all you can eat meat so it is definitely a great price. A great place to try Wagyu Beef too (*little tip : it’s pronounced WA-GYUUU not WA-GOO.)
KUROGE-WAGYU YAKINIKU, SHABU SHABU, SUKIYAKI ZEN SHINSAIBASHI
大阪市中央区心斎橋筋2-3-15 戎橋Northビル 3F
OPEN WEEKDAYS 5PM-1AM
OPEN WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 11:30AM-1AM
Gluten free fancy meal near Namba Station
If you wanted a special higher end meal with kids I recommend Matsuzakagyu Yakiniku. It is 5 mins walk from Namba Station.
This restaurant is fabulous if you are gluten free as they go out of their way to make sure that there is no cross contamination – even when it comes to the sauces. I would budget 12,000 yen per adult to dine here. Kids and babies welcome. Please make a reservation and tell them you are gluten free as early as possible. This restaurant has an English menu. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards.
MATSUZAKAGYU YAKINIKU
大阪市中央区難波1-1-19
1-1-19 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY 5PM-11PM
Teppanyaki with kids in Osaka
Teppanyaki restaurant Minami in Osaka welcomes children. This is high end dining so I’d be sure to save it for a special occasion. Please note that lunch is literally half the price of dinner here. Also please read my post here on how teppanyaki in Japan is a bit different to how you may be used to it in your home country. This restaurant is on the 10th floor. Minami accepts most major credit cards.
This restaurant won「The 2023 World Luxury Restaurant Awards for “Best Luxury Farm to Table Restaurant – Global Winner”, “Best Locally Sourced Produce Menu in Asia” and “Best Teappanyaki-style Cuisine in Asia.”
Minami is entirely non-smoking. For lunch here, I would budget 7000-8000 yen per person and more than 14,000 yen at dinnertime.
See here for the kids menu at Minami, Teppanyaki restaurant.
See here for the vegetarian menu.
MINAMI TEPPANYAKI RESTAURANT
大阪市中央区難波5-1-60
10F, SWISSOTELL NANKAI OSAKA, 5-1-60 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-3PM (LAST ORDER 2:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER 5:30PM-9PM (LAST ORDER 8:30PM)
** Another random idea, why not get kids all dressed up in Kimono while you’re in Shinsaibashi?
Go to the Daimaru Department Store in Shinsaibashi and make your way to Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo. Kids can be dressed in kimono or yukata (summer kimono) . The kid’s price is 2900 yen. You can make a reservation on the Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo English website here. The kids package is only available for children between 3 and 10 years old.
If you are struggling for gluten free options in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, there is a wheat free Pizza rice bowl at Dominos Pizza in Higashi-Shinsaibashi – aka East Shinsaibashi. (Please note that the pizzas are not gluten free but this rice bowl is.) See the rice bowl on the Dominos Japan menu here. Other gluten free options from Dominos Japan include the Dominos Shake Real Strawberry and the Freshly Baked Fondant Chocolat. You can always order these on ubereats too.
Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu
This hot-pot style of eating is so much fun for families and just interactive with kids. This restaurant Syabu-yo is a chain restaurant. Diners choose the amount of time they would like to have unlimited meat brought to their table (usually 60 or 90 mins) and that price also includes access to a salad and vegetable buffet and ice-cream. The instructions on how to make your meal at the table are here on the Syabu-Yo website but the staff will also help you. My kids prefer sukiyaki to shabu-shabu as it is so sweet and more-ish.
This style of restaurant is tricky if everyone has different dietary requirements (for example if one family member is vegetarian etc) as all the food is cooked in one pot. I guess you could get around this by getting two tables with two separate pots. Sometimes they have pots like the one pictured below that has two sections. This is mostly so you can cook two different flavours but it could also work for a meat side and a veg side too, I guess
To eat here I would budget for around 3000 yen per adult. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Syabu-Yo accept most major credit cards.
If you like this restaurant – I’m pretty sure you will! Then you are in luck as you can always google your closest Syabu-Yo branch as they are all over Japan.
They have free wifi. It is best to make a reservation here but if you’re eating outside of traditional meal times you could also just try for a walk-in.
The Shinsaibashi branch is 130 metres from Shinsaibashi Station.
SYABU-YO, Q PLAZA SHINSAIBASHI STORE
大阪市中央区心斎橋筋1-1-10 キュープラザ心斎橋 6F
6TH FLOOR, KYU PLAZA SHINSAIBASHI BUILDING, 1-1-10 SHINSAIBASHISUJI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-11PM
While in Shinsaibashi, how about visiting the department store Shinsaibashi Parco. Inside Parco is the Godzilla Store – 6th floor.
Lots of Godzilla themed souvenirs.
Where to buy souvenirs in Osaka?
Tokyo has Kappabashi Kitchentown for knives, kitchenwares and other trinkets to take home from Japan and Osaka’s version is Donguyasuji Arcade. This is also a great place to try some street food and also buy treasures such a cute chopsticks. It is 7 mins walk from Dotonbori or 2 mins walk from exit E9 of Namba Station.
The Kids Plaza Osaka is the BEST rainy day option with kids we’ve found yet. This place calls itself a children’s museum but I’d call it more of a children’s museum / play centre.
My kids had such a good time at this place. We spent almost 3 hours here.
My little boy loved all the climbing and my little girl could not get enough of the pretend play supermarket, post office and the pretend tv reporter station.
The staff speak enough English to help with almost every single part of the museum so language isn’t an issue at all.
They will also store your stroller while you are in the museum – free of charge.
I’ve written lots more about this kid-centered museum / playcentre in Osaka here ( including access details and open times.)
Australian restaurant Bills can be found in Tokyo and also Osaka.
They are a great option for an Aussie style breakfast.
BILLS, OSAKA STATION
大阪市北区梅田3-1-3 3-1-3 UMEDA, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY : 8:30AM-10PM
Another suggestion while around Umeda Station. How about a fancy, fancy crepe? This store is called “Yorkys” and is located in the B2 floor of the Umeda Foothill inside the Hankyu Sabangai Department Store, North Building.
I recommend the Creme Brulee option.
YORKYS CREPERIE, UMEDA STORE
大阪市北区芝田1-1-3阪急三番街北館B2F UMEDA FOOD HALL
UMEDA FOOD HALL, B2F, HANKYU SANBANGAI, NORTH BUILDING, 1-1-3 SHIBATA, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 10AM-9PM
Another suggestion for an easy meal with kids, near the station, is to go into the HEP FIVE Department Store. On the top floor, next to the entrance to the Ferris Wheel are a whole selection of kids friendly cafes and restaurants.
The Ferris Wheel will also give you a great view of the city at night.
This department store rents out strollers at no charge for in-store use.
There are breastfeeding and baby changing rooms on floors 2, 4 and 6.
They have a colourful waffle restaurant, a giant whale statue that kids love in the middle of the department store and a Disney store too.
HEP FIVE
大阪府大阪市北区角田町5-15
5-15 KAKUDACHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-11PM (ALTHOUGH MOST SHOPS CLOSE AT 9AM, RESTAURANTS REMAIN OPEN)
*Random recommendation for while you’re in this Hep Five complex, on the B1 floor is a shoe store called “Oriental Traffic.” If you have big feet like me (I have size EU40-41 feet) this might help if you need some women’s footwear as this is one of the few shops that stock the LL sizes.
This sign in the picture was for during a sale where you could buy two pairs of shoes for 11,000 yen. This is the Oriental Traffic Ueno Store pictured here.
One restaurant suggestion in this immediate area – across the road from Hep 5 is another department store called Hep Navio.
On the 7th floor of Hep Navio is Botejyu.
Botejyu is an okonomiyaki restaurant chain in Japan that has been around since 1946.
In Japan, okonomiyaki is seen as a comfort food. It is often referred to as a thick Japanese omelette made with cabbage and then diners choose their own fillings such as additional vegetables, meats or seafood. It is then decorated with sauces, mayonnaise and/or seaweed flakes. It is cooked on a hot plate in front of you so it is really good if you are fussy or just really need to be able to veto ingredients as they are added.
Another option for food in Okonomiyaki restaurants is yakisoba – noodles cooked on the hot grill. It’s really popular and is often considered to be one of Japan’s most popular street food options.
Okonomiyaki restaurants are pretty much always really casual and a great way to share a cheap meal with friends or colleagues.
This restaurant accepts credit cards.
Please note that this is not a non-smoking restaurant so you may need to venture in in between normal mealtimes or suss it out first.
Unlike many other in this chain of restaurants, however, smokers and non-smokers can be seated in separate sections before 3pm.
I would budget around 1000 yen for an adult meal for lunch and 2000 yen for dinner.
大阪市北区角田町7-10 HEPナビオ 7F
7F HEP NAVIO
OPEN: 11AM – 10PM ( LAST ORDER AT 9:30PM)
Gyukatsu restaurant for lunch
If you are looking for a teishoku lunch in Osaka with kids, I recommend visiting Gyukatsu Motomura, Namba branch, for beef “Tonkatsu” (Tonkatsu is usually pork but this place is beef. So that’s why it’s called “GyuKatsu.”)
It is very casual but they are fine with children coming along for lunch. Everyone must order a lunch set though ( approx 1000 yen.)
They do accept most major credit cards and they have an English menu. This restaurant is a non-smoking restaurant.
GYUKATSU MOTOMURA, NAMBA
大阪市中央区難波3丁目3番1号 スガタビル地下一階
BASEMENT FLOOR, SUKADA BUILDING, 3-3-1 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN DAILY 11AM-1oPM
Affordable yet delicious sushi restaurant in Namba
New Sushi Center Harukiya Uranamba is casual, good quality and fantastic value for money.
A sushi moriawase (a chef’s choice platter) is just 1000 yen- which is incredible value. Individual sushi plates of two pieces of sushi are 110 yen.
For adults at lunch I would budget around 3000 yen each for a full meal – but you could also pop in to just sample some dishes.
This restaurant does not accept reservations. They accept most major credit cards. They also welcome families with small children and babies. The restaurant is entirely non-smoking.
To get to New Sushi Center Harukiya Uranamba, take the train to Nankai Namba Station. It is 157 metres from the station exit.
NEW SUSHI CENTER HARUKIYA URANAMBA
大阪市中央区難波千日前14-2
OPEN WEEKDAYS 4PM-11PM
OPEN WEEKENDS 12PM-11PM
CLOSED OVER THE NEW YEAR’S PERIOD
Adorable organic donuts near Namba Station
On the 2nd floor of the Namba City shopping mall (connected to Namba Station) is the adorable donut shop Floresta.
To get here, go to Nankai Namba Station’s South Ticket Gate Exit. It is on the second floor, just before the ticket gates.
FLORESTA, NAMBA STATION
大阪市中央区難波5-1-60 南海なんば駅2階南改札口外
OUTSIDE THE TICKET GATES ON THE 2ND FLOOR OF THE SOUTH EXIT OF NANKAI NAMBA STATION, 5-1-60 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-9PM
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
A soba and tempura restaurant in Namba with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options
Genji-soba is just 200 metres from JR Namba Station. This restaurant does accept reservations (although most days walk-ins are fine) and accepts most major credit cards. Budget wise I would expect to pay around 4000 yen per adult for dinner and around 2000 yen at lunchtime. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Children are welcome (will need to remain seated so bring some stickers or colouring) and there is space for strollers. Please note that even though this restaurant sells soba that doesn’t mean that they sell yakisoba. See here for the Genji Soba website menu – with pictures. At the actual restaurant is a more detailed English menu. I recommend trying the vegetable soy milk soup soba. So good. For those who are celiac and are sensitive to cross contamination, there isa celiac package of soba where everything is cooked separately. The food at this restaurant is really delicious.
GENJI-SOBA, OSAKA
大阪市中央区難波4-5-8
4-5-8 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11AM-3PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-9:30PM
CLOSED THURSDAYS
A family-friendly Gyukatsu restaurant in Namba
And if you’re looking for a bit of a lush dinner or lunch with a reasonable price tag at a restaurant that also allows children in Namba, I recommend Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Namba Sennichimae for Kobe Beef and Wagyu. It’s a Beef Cutlet restaurant. It is high quality beef, crumbed and fried so that the outside is crunchy and served with a range of sauces (dipping sauces) and rice. The restaurant is entirely non-smoking. They have an English menu. They also accept most major credit cards.
Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu is 3 mins walk from Namba Station (Take Exit Namba Walk B21.)
This restaurant welcomes children and babies. They also have a kids menu (750 yen) and space to store strollers while you dine.
Each meal is 1000-2000 yen. You can see the full Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu menu here. This restaurant is walk-in only.
GYUKATSU KYOTO KATSUGYU NAMBA SENNICHIMAE
大阪市中央区千日前1-8-17 TKビル1F
GROUND FLOOR, TK BUILDING, 1-8-17 SENNICHIMAE, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11:30AM-10PM
Gluten free Indian Restaurant in Namba with many Vegan Options
Spys Oasis is family friendly and prides themselves on having gluten free options. It is 2 mins walk from Exit B14 of Namba Station.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards and I would budget approximately 2000 yen per adult to eat here. Spys Oasis have a kids’ menu and have space to store a stroller while you dine. You can see pictures of their menu on the Spys Oasis website here. Please note that the Naan bread is not gluten free.
Please note that this restaurant is small – so if you are a larger group – you may need to eat in shifts.
SPYS OASIS, GLUTEN FREE BAR & RESTAURANT
大阪市中央区難波1-5-8
1-5-8 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11:30AM-3PM & 6PM-MIDNIGHT (CLOSED THURSDAYS)
OPEN WEEKENDS 11:30AM-10PM
In Namba there is one of the Zauo chain of restaurants where you fish for your dinner. Details here.
If you’re in the Namba area walking around and need somewhere to feed or change baby, I recommend visiting the 7th floor of Edion Shopping Mall Namba. This shopping mall is mostly electronics but the 7th floor has games and toys (figurines, lego, plarail, tomica, sylvanian families etc) and also an area to feed and change babies- there are also toddler toilets on this floor.
The entire 8th Floor of Edion Namba is a food hall dedicated just to ramen.
Although its not my favourite Japanese castle (my favourite, if you’re curious, is Himeji) but if time allows and you decide to check it out, I recommend eating at Blue Birds Rooftop Terrace beforehand or afterwards. It has the castle as the backdrop and makes for such a special Osaka moment.
The cafe serves burgers, mochi, skewered meat, soba, sushi.
Check before you go as they can sometimes be closed for weddings or private events.
The entire venue is non-smoking.
It has an amazing open air terrace which is the main feature. So I wouldn’t bother on a rainy day.
BLUEBIRDS ROOFTOP TERRACE
大阪市中央区大阪城1大阪城1-1
1-1 OSAKA-JO, 1 OSAKA-JO, CHUO-KU, OSAKA-SHI
OPEN 11AM – 8PM
And 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.
And you also might want to check out Taiyo-no-Hiroba ( Osaka Castle Park) just a few minutes walk away as food festivals are held here more often than not.
If you end up near Tennoji Station in Osaka, there is an amazing Rooftop Playground Playcentre called Sweden Trimpark ( 3 mins walk from the station. )
It is pretty much all outdoors although may close when the weather turns bad.
Open from 10am until sunset.
Price for 60 mins: Adults 500 yen, Children 1000 yen
There are places here to sit and eat a packed lunch and there are vending machines.
And if a 20 minute train trip doesn’t phase you, I highly recommend a trip to the Cup Noodle Museum Osaka ( you’ll need at least a half day.) The whole family can learn how to make instant noodles from scratch in a 1.5 hour class and/or decorate your own cup noodle cup to take home.
If you’re interested in the Osaka Aquarium see my guest post blog here.
It’s a matter of personal taste but I do not recommend visiting Tennoji Zoo.
I find that the animals are not in big enclosures and I find it to be too depressing. I don’t recommend.
Also, did you know that there is a playcentre within Kansai International Airport in Osaka?
If you are looking for a fantastic airbnb suggestion for Osaka, you may like to take a look at Guest blogger Carla Middleton’s recent post where she stayed mostly at Airbnb in Japan ( Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo) and wrote in great detail about their fabulous trip staying in an airbnb in Japan ( including Osaka) here.
DINNER RECOMMENDATION IN OSAKA
Izakaya (specializes in seafood, sushi and tempura)
This izakaya Sugidama is completely non-smoking (if you’ve been in Japan for a hot minute, you will know that this is not an easy things to find.). They also are fine for kids to come along.
This is NOT a touristy spot and I mean that in the best way. This is where you will find people dining after work or catching up with a friend. They do have an English menu but don’t be afraid to copy what someone next to you has ordered if it looks amazing (it might be a special not on the ready-made English menu.) If you’d like to say “Please give me the same” (while pointing) say 同じものください onaji mono kudasai.
Remember that at izakayas at dinner time you order lots of small dishes that are designed to be shared (it would be quite weird to order one dish per person.)
While at lunchtime you choose a “lunch set” (there are several to choose from here) per person and it comes out kind of in a big bento style way. At lunch, I recommend getting the sushi & tempura set – it also comes with a soup.For lunch here, I would budget 2000 yen per adult and approximately 3000 yen per adult at dinner time.
Firstly, there are 3 types of seating here : counter seating, table seating and horigotatsu seating (horigotatsu is where it looks like you’re sitting on the floor but actually the part where your legs go is dug out so you are still in a seated position. Horigotatsu will mean you shoes will need to come off.)
I recommend getting the sashimi of the day and the seasonal vegetable tempura (it comes with two types of salt for dipping and I love this so much more than a tempura sauce). For those with kids who aren’t in a “new food” type of mood – they also have fries.
Sugidama is 2 mins walk from Honmachi Station and 12 mins walk from Shinsaibashi Station.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. It is possible to make reservations here – ask your hotel to call for you.
SUGIDAMA, HONMACHI
大阪市中央区南本町3-6-1竹宏本町ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, 3-6-1 MINAMI-HONMACHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-2:30PM (LAST ORDER AT 2PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS FOR DINNER 5PM-11PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
OPEN SATURDAYS FOR DINNER: 4PM-11PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
OPEN SUNDAYS FOR DINNER 4PM-10PM (LAST ORDER AT 9;3oPM)
If you are struggling for gluten free options in Honmachi, Osaka, there is a wheat free Pizza rice bowl at Dominos Pizza in Honmachi (please note that the pizzas are not gluten free but this rice bowl is.) See the rice bowl on the Dominos Japan menu here.
A PARK AND PLAYGROUND NEAR SHIN OSAKA STATION
If you take the bullet train to Shin-Osaka and the kids need a wriggle around before doing anything else there is a small (and not beautiful but very handy to have up your sleeve) park called Yamaguchihoncho Park.
There are swings, a small climbing frame with 2 slides, a sandpit and one larger climbing frame.
This playground is 5 minutes walk from the South or South East Exit of Shin-Osaka Station.
*Shin-Osaka is actually a bit outside the centre of Osaka so if you’re visiting as a day trip from Kobe or Kyoto – I recommend taking a local express train to Umeda instead*
YAMAGUCHIHONCHO PARK
大阪市東淀川区東中島1-1-14
1-1-14 HIGASHINAKAJIMA, HIGASHI-YODOGAWA-KU, OSAKA
Since I lived in this area, there have been lots of renovations/construction on the …. side of Osaka Station. So much so that my hubby and I now call the north – the posh side and the south – the rough side ( although, in all honesty, not rough as much as just kept as it always has been – amazing alleyways filled with delicious eateries and local shops.)
These children’s bentos in the bullet train shape are sold inside the gates at Shin-Osaka Station
DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTRE IN OSAKA?
Not to be confused with the outdoor amusement park that is Legoland Japan in Nagoya, there is an indoor playcentre called Legoland Discovery Centre. It’s a little on the expensive side but it is a great indoor spot for children aged 0-6 years old (older than that and I don’t think it is that much fun for kids.). The centre is approximately 30 mins from the middle of Osaka or 15 mins / approx 5000 yen in a cab.)
LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTRE OSAKA
OPEN 10AM-6PM (OPEN LATER SOME EVENINGS SO CHECK THE WEBSITE BEFOREHAND)
Hedgehog Cafe in Namba, Osaka
6 mins walk from Namba Station, you will find the Hedgehog Themed Cafe called “Harry Wood.” You can try walk ins or make a reservation on the Harry Wood Hedgehog Cafe website here. Visitors can hold, take pictures with and feed the hedgehogs. This hedgehog cafe is open from 11am-8pm.
Where to buy nappies in Osaka?
If, while in Osaka you need to buy baby related items such as nappies / diapers I recommend going to the large shopping mall called Namba Parks Shopping Mall.
Within Namba Parks are also lots of lovely places to change baby and there is a big Toys R Us and Babies R Us (selling lots of nappies and baby food etc.)
Uber Eats: Some of my readers have recently told me that they have been able to order diapers on Uber Eats while in smaller towns! Use the search word “diapers” or オムツ when searching.
If you’d like an onsen experience (or just a swimming pool experience) in Osaka, I recommend spending the day at Spa World Osaka.
There are onsen sections (nudity required) and a co-ed swimsuit friendly pool section with water slides etc. There is a food court on the third floor inside Spa World too.
Please note that, if your children like waterslides -the day can get very expensive very quickly. Slides are 500 yen per person per slide! OR 1500 yen for a day pass for all you can slide. To ride most of the slides you will also need to be taller than 115cms.
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