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Osaka is one of the best cities in Japan for families: Super Nintendo World at USJ, whale sharks at Kaiyukan, Osaka Castle, street food in Dotonbori and the huge Expo ‘70 Park. Our recommended plan is 3 days: USJ on day 1, Osaka Castle and Dotonbori on day 2, and Expo ‘70 Park with NIFREL on day 3. With a fourth day, add a day trip to Nara or Kyoto.
Things to do in Osaka
1. Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
Super Nintendo World, where children step into the world of Mario and Donkey Kong, plus the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Tickets are for a set date, so buy them online before you go.
2. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of Japan’s best aquariums, built around a huge central tank with whale sharks and manta rays. It is indoors, so it is a good choice on a rainy day.
3. Osaka Castle
The castle tower and its large park. You can also take a boat around the castle moat.
4. Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi
Osaka’s liveliest streets, with giant signs, neon along the canal, street food and shopping.
5. Umeda Sky Building and Abeno Harukas
Observation decks with views over the whole city, best in the evening. For old Osaka, walk through Shinsekai to Tsutenkaku Tower.
6. Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
Children design their own cup and make an original Cup Noodle (¥500, with a numbered ticket handed out on the day).
All four soups contain pork, and the noodles contain chicken. Enjoy designing the cup and making it, but don’t eat the finished noodles.
7. Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park
A huge park on the site of the 1970 World Expo, with the 70-metre Tower of the Sun at the entrance, a boating pond, a large Japanese garden and the National Museum of Ethnology. Around 5,000 cherry trees bloom in spring.
- Next door: NIFREL, a hands-on aquarium and zoo, and EXPOCITY, a large shopping mall
- Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Admission: ¥450
- Closed: Wednesdays, except from April to early May and in October and November, when it is open every day
- Getting there: from Umeda, take the Midosuji subway line to Senri-Chuo, then the Osaka Monorail to Bampaku-kinen-koen. About 30 to 50 minutes from central Osaka
8. A day trip to Nara
Nara’s deer and the Great Buddha are about 40 minutes from Osaka by train.
Our recommended plan
Day 1: a full day at USJ
- Before opening: from Osaka Station, take the JR line to Universal City Station. The park often opens earlier than the official time, so join the queue early
- As soon as you enter: use the official app to get a timed entry ticket for Super Nintendo World (needed on busy days)
- Morning: ride the most popular attractions first
- Lunch: restaurants are very busy at midday, so eat before 11:00 or after 14:00. Halal meals are hard to find inside the park, so bring snacks
- Afternoon: plan around the shows and parades, and give small children plenty of breaks
- Evening: straight back to your hotel. Staying in the Bay Area keeps the journey short
Day 2: Osaka Castle to Dotonbori
- Morning: Osaka Castle. Climb the tower, or take a boat around the moat. It is quieter in the morning
- Lunch: okonomiyaki or wagyu ramen at a halal restaurant (see our guide to halal food in Osaka)
- Afternoon: shopping in Shinsaibashi
- Evening: a walk along the Dotonbori canal under the neon lights, then the night view from Umeda Sky Building or Abeno Harukas
Day 3: Expo ‘70 Park and NIFREL
- Morning: from Umeda, take the subway and monorail to Expo ‘70 Park
- Late morning: see the Tower of the Sun, then let the children run around the park. Hire a boat or walk through the Japanese garden
- Lunch: at EXPOCITY next door. It has a food court, but check halal options before you go or bring food
- Afternoon: NIFREL, where children can see animals up close
- Late afternoon: some shopping at EXPOCITY, then back to central Osaka
- Good to know: the park is closed on Wednesdays in some months, so check the dates when you plan
Day 4 (if you have one more day): Nara
- From Namba, the Kintetsu line takes about 40 minutes to Kintetsu-Nara Station, right next to Nara Park
- Feed the deer, see the Great Buddha at Todai-ji, have a halal lunch and head back to Osaka. Our Nara day trip guide has the details
- Kyoto instead? It is about 30 minutes from Osaka Station on the JR Special Rapid. See our Kyoto guide with kids
On a rainy day
Swap day 2 for Kaiyukan, the Tempozan Ferris wheel next to it, and shopping in the Umeda department stores.
Tips for this plan
- Do USJ first: children have the most energy at the start of the trip, and USJ is the day with the most walking
- Where to stay: the Bay Area for USJ, then Umeda from day 2. Umeda is also the easiest place to start for Expo ‘70 Park
- Use a private car on luggage days: for hotel changes and days in Nara or Kyoto, a private driver makes things much easier
- Buy tickets in advance: they are for a set date, prices change by date, and there is no ticket booth at the park
- Super Nintendo World may need a timed entry ticket: on busy days, get one in the official app after you enter. For guaranteed entry, look at an Express Pass that includes the area
- Arrive before opening: the gates often open early
- Avoid the busiest days: school holidays, long weekends and the first days of events
- Eat at off-peak times: restaurants are packed at lunchtime
Halal food and prayer in Osaka
- Osaka has halal wagyu ramen and okonomiyaki restaurants, including some near Dotonbori and Umeda. See our guide to halal food in Osaka
- Halal-certified food is limited inside USJ, so bring snacks or plan to eat outside the park
- You can also use our free lists of about 150 halal restaurants and mosques
Where to stay and getting around
- Where to stay: the Bay Area if USJ is your focus, or Umeda or Namba for easy access to everything else
- From Kansai Airport: about 35 to 40 minutes to Namba on the Nankai Rapi:t, or about 30 minutes to Tennoji and 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka on the JR Haruka
- Nara and Kyoto: both are easy day trips by train
Let a Japanese local plan your Osaka trip
Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will plan your trip: USJ tickets, where to stay, halal restaurant bookings, Expo ‘70 Park, days in Nara or Kyoto and a private car. Plan my trip, or see our Japan tour packages from Dubai.
How many days do you need in Osaka?
We recommend 3 days: USJ, Osaka Castle and Dotonbori, and Expo '70 Park with NIFREL. With 4 days, add a day trip to Nara or Kyoto.
What age is USJ good for?
Children of all ages, as there are areas and shows for little ones. Some rides have height limits, so check before you go.
Should we stay in Osaka or Kyoto?
Osaka if you want USJ and street food, Kyoto if temples are your focus. Kyoto is an easy day trip from Osaka by train.
Is there halal food in Osaka?
Yes. There are halal wagyu ramen and okonomiyaki restaurants, among others. Inside USJ the choice is limited, so plan ahead.
Can Muslims eat the Cup Noodles they make at the Cup Noodles Museum?
No. All four soups contain pork and the noodles contain chicken. You can still enjoy designing the cup and making it.
How do I get from Kansai Airport to central Osaka?
About 35 to 40 minutes to Namba on the Nankai Rapi:t, or about 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka on the JR Haruka. With lots of luggage, a private transfer is easier.
