Exploring Osaka
Is Japan on your bucketlist? If so, exploring Osaka is a must on your Japan bucketlist. If you’ve been following my blog since my Blogging And Things days then you already know that Japan is a frequent destination for us. I was born there and lived there for 5 years and still have family (both living and not) there. Pre-Covid we would go once a year but since having my son we probably will go less frequently, for now.
*** We went to Japan in mid-April to the end of April, so all facts in this blog post are from that date/time.
I found Osaka to be a lot more manageable with a toddler compared to Tokyo. Mind you I am VERY familiar and comfortable in Tokyo including the train systems, language, etc. but it was still too big of a city with a toddler who could have used more green space and less lines. Osaka was the perfect blend of big city amenities + small town perks.
Parks were plentiful in Osaka so it wasn’t hard to take Brixton each morning to a park to get some wiggles out before starting the day.
Dotonbori
Keep in mind that this area is only open at night and can get very crowded! We went with our stroller at night and it was a bit hectic. Fortunately the baby was asleep and he sleeps great on the go but man was I worried that he was going to get his leg smashed into!
Osaka Castle
One of the must do things when exploring Osaka is check out the historic Osaka Castle. If you have at least 3 days in Osaka then I would add it to your itinerary. It was great for Brixton because there’s plenty of space to run around plenty of sensory inducing things to see and touch (flowers, rock formations and types, etc).
The castle itself can get pretty crowded so I would make sure bub had plenty of time to run around and have a snack since you can’t really eat inside either.
*you can’t bring a stroller INTO the actual castle and will need to gate check it at the ticket entrance.
Parks Galore
I found it somewhat difficult to find a park with a playground in Tokyo, despite ALL the green spaces they have. Osaka was a different story. The parks are a lot smaller in size (which made it more manageable with a toddler) and typically had a small play structure of some sort. It was easy to take Brixton to a nearby park and run his energy out throughout the day so we could have some down time during meals, etc.
Kids Play Areas in Malls
Exploring Osaka with a toddler? Well then definitely get used to some of the best indoor play spaces for cheeeeaaapppp! Something common amongst many Asian countries I’ve traveled to is that a lot of the shopping malls have GREAT kids play areas and accommodations. Japan is no different. Many of the malls had kids play areas (for a small fee) and family dining areas + restaurants.
Kids Plaza
I had read about Kids Plaza Osaka on a couple of other blogs so we decided to dedicate a day to check it out. It did not disappoint. My son (at the time was almost 18 months) LOVED it! He could have stayed there the entire day. Its a mix between a children’s museum and a HUGE indoor playground. 10/10 recommend this place!
Day Trips: Exploring Nara
If you have time during your stay in Kyoto or Osaka, then definitely carve out a day to check out Nara. Most famously known for Nara Deer Park, you’ll definitely get your fair share of deer encounters! Beware that the deer are wild! They are gentle for the most part but always be cautious as they are wild animals.
Other Notable Places
If you have older kids (3+), I would recommend checking these places out! My son was too small to partake in these places but I can’t wait to take him back very soon!
- Universal Studios
- Kidzania
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<3 Happy Traveling