Playtime Adventures: Exploring Osaka Kids Plaza with Your Family
Osaka Kids Plaza is an educational and fun day out for the whole family. It is one of the best things to do in Osaka with kids and has so many activities to keep your little ones entertained for hours. One of the best things about Osaka Kids Plaza is the fact that the older kids (and adults) will love taking the lens of science and learning. The younger kids will enjoy the hands-on interaction with the different activities and all kids will marvel at the amazing multi-level indoor playground in the centre of the plaza. It’s also a wonderful indoor activity, so perfect to escape the intense Japanese humidity or from getting wet on a rainy day.
What is the Osaka Kids Plaza?
The Osaka Kids Plaza is a large hands on children’s museum. It is a multi-level complex with all sorts of interactive exhibits and activities. Often, Japanese school children attend on an excursion with their school so expect to see lots of cute kids in uniform if you visit during the week.
The Osaka Kids Plaza has been delighting children since 1997 and is the first ever museum in Japan to be dedicated to children’s education. It is open from 9.30am – 5pm every day with the last admission 45 mins prior to closing time.
There are many different zones in the plaza. A section all about movement and energy, a giant indoor playground decorated in mosaic, a cultural home and music area and a Japanese transport section. There’s also a dedicated space for babies to play.
Admission
The Osaka Kids Plaza is free for kids under 3, so when we visited Osaka with a toddler we were able to get our daughter in for free and just pay for the adults. It isn’t the cheapest of activities, with an adult ticket costing 1400 JPY, but the quality of the attraction definitely provides value for money. Kids tickets cost 500 JPY for children 3 years old up to elementary school age and 800 JPY for elementary age and junior high school.
How to get to there
The Osaka Kids Plaza is located almost directly opposite to Ogimachi Station. It is about 20 mins via train from the Dotonbori area or 30 mins from the Osaka Castle area. From Osaka Station, the plaza is a 20 minute walk or a 6 minute train ride.
A note to those travelling with young kids in strollers that some Japanese stations have lots of stairs and limited elevator access. Ogimachi was one of those stations. We travel with our BabyJogger City Tour 2 travel pram, so it is light and easy to fold up and carry up stairs if we need to.
There is no dedicated parking at the Osaka Kids Plaza, so public transport is definitely the best option.
What to do at the Osaka Kids Plaza?
There’s so much to experience at the Osaka Kids Plaza and fortunately the museum follows a cohesive path throughout each exhibit. Here’s an insight into a few of our favourite parts of the museum.
The amazing entrance
Our toddler could have sat at this intricate entrance display all day. She loved watching the balls make their way through the spirals and tubes across the wall. The moving stuffed animals were also a huge hit, making her giggle and point out every action.
Experiment in the movement and science area
This is the first main section of the Osaka Kids Plaza and it is fabulous. There are many science-based activities for hands on play and exploration. We loved the central water-based play area that allows kids to play with various levers, switches and wheels to pour water over the structure as well as the ability for kids to tunnel underneath to get an underwater view.
We also had a blast at the sprint track where the aim is to run as fast as possible whilst being recorded by video. Our toddler certainly wasn’t the fastest competitor, but she definitely had the most fun running along the track and then giggling at herself in the video afterwards.
Experience a mock train
Japan is obviously well known for its incredible transport system and so it is only fitting that the Osaka Kids Plaza features a walk in, hands on train experience. We spent ample time boarding, sitting on the train and imagining where we might be going. Our daughter really loved this section of the museum.
Immerse yourself in the cultural learning area
We loved this part of the Osaka Kids Plaza as it has little homes from all around the world. Our daughter had so much fun dressing up in various traditional clothing from other cultures and playing house. This section of the museum also has a wonderful interactive music area where kids can play instruments from all over the globe. My toddler is an avid music lover, so she absolutely lit up when she was presented with the chance to play on some drums and use some shakers!
Run wild on the amazing indoor playground
Without a doubt, a key highlight of the Osaka Kids Plaza is the incomparable mosaic-decorated indoor playground that spans several levels of the museum. The playground was designed by Austrian visual artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and it certainly looks like a work of art featuring ceramics, winding staircases and bridges and it is a huge amount of fun. When we visited, there were a large number of school children blowing off steam on the playground, so a word of warning to those with little ones to be spatially aware or find a section of the structure that isn’t as busy for a less stressful play.
Where to eat
There is a cafe onsite at the plaza that serves simple and tasty meals – think sandwiches and drinks – so very kid friendly. If you’re looking for something a bit different, then I definitely recommend the ten minute walk to the Grand Front Osaka which has a wonderful food hall serving up a huge range of foods such as sushi, yakitori, pizza and even spanish food. It also has high chairs for little ones and beer, wine and spirits for those wanting to enjoy an alcoholic beverage.
The Grand Front Osaka also has a fabulous playground onsite in case the kids still need to burn off more energy and it is also located right next to Osaka Station, so getting home afterwards is very easy. The station itself also has plenty of food options, though we found most restaurants at train stations were usually smaller, harder to squeeze in a pram and without high chairs.
In summary: why visit Osaka Kids Plaza?
Whether you’re looking for a fun day out with your kids, or an educational experience that sparks creativity and curiosity, Kids Plaza Osaka is a great place to explore and make lasting memories. It is easy to get to and particularly a great activity for a rainy day or in the heat of summer. We found the museum had plenty to do for kids of all ages – our toddler was thoroughly entertained for the whole visit and found lots of age appropriate activities that she loved.
FAQs for visiting the Osaka Kids Plaza
Are there any age restrictions?
Kids Plaza Osaka is designed for children aged 1 to 12, though there are activities suitable for toddlers as well as older kids. Some areas may be more engaging for specific age groups, but there’s something for everyone. Adults can participate with their children, making it a family-friendly experience.
How long does a visit take?
A typical visit lasts around 2 to 3 hours, depending on how thoroughly you explore the exhibits. If you plan to take your time and participate in interactive activities, a half-day visit is ideal. It’s a great way to break up your day, especially if you’re exploring the Umeda area.
Are there food options nearby?
Yes! There is a café inside the museum that offers kid-friendly meals, snacks, and drinks. If you’re looking for a meal or more extensive dining options, the Umeda district, where Kids Plaza Osaka is located, has a variety of restaurants, food courts, and casual eateries just a short walk away.
How much does it cost to visit?
As of the most recent information, the entry fees for Kids Plaza Osaka are:
– Adults (13 and up): ¥1,500
– Children (3 to 12 years old): ¥800
– Infants (under 3 years old): Free
Prices may vary, so it’s always a good idea to check the official website or contact them for the latest details.
Is the museum wheelchair and stroller accessible?
Yes, Kids Plaza Osaka is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities and strollers. The museum is designed to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, and there are elevators and ramps available throughout the building. There are also stroller parking areas near the entrance.
What are the museum’s opening hours?
Kids Plaza Osaka typically operates from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entries usually around 4:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays (except public holidays), and during certain periods for maintenance or special events. Be sure to check their official website for holiday hours or any special closures.
Are there baby change facilities onsite?
Yes, the Osaka Kids Plaza has fantastic baby change facilities in multiple areas throughout the museum making it a really family friendly option.
What other family friendly activities are there in Osaka?
Osaka is full of fun for families. The city boats one of the world’s best aquariums, the Kaiyukan, which is home to two whale sharks. There’s also the always thrilling Universal Studios Osaka which is full of rides and attractions. You could always think about a day trip from Osaka as the magic of Kyoto’s temples or the wild deer of Nara are not far away. There’s also a teamLab installation at the Nagai Botanical Garden with amazing digital light displays.
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