Dotonbori with Kids (Babies and Toddlers, Too!)
Last Updated on November 14, 2024 by Kay
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Located south of Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori (道頓堀) is arguably one of the most popular tourist destinations in Osaka. But is it a good place to take kids on a family trip?
In general, Dotonbori is known for having lots of places where you can enjoy Osaka food until you drop (called kuidaore in Japanese). It not only has amazing places to eat but is also known for its iconic night view, especially of the Dotonbori Canal from Ebisubashi Bridge. Here you can see many unique neon signs that have become photo spots for both domestic and international tourists alike, such as the Dotonbori Glico sign.
Provided this, Dotonbori really comes to life at night. However, it’s important to know that this is a district where many young people like to meet up and hang out. Sometimes they even jump into the canal when the Kansai baseball team, Hanshin Tigers, wins a big game. (Obviously, I don’t recommend that anyone does this.)
So this means that Dotonbori can be rowdy and with the current inbound tourism boom in Japan, it’s become even more crowded than usual. I also find that it’s dirty and kind of smelly. I don’t want to give a bad name to Dotonbori because I love it but I want to be completely honest so that people with little ones aren’t surprised when it isn’t as clean as some other areas in Japan.
This isn’t to say that I don’t recommend visiting Dotombori with children! I think it should be a stop on every family’s Osaka itinerary (I’ve even included it in mine!).
So if you’re wondering what to do in Dotonbori with kids, here are my recommendations.
⭐️ Kay’s Tip: Dotonbori gets especially busy at night, so I recommend leaving right after dusk, right after you’ve seen the signs lit up, so you can avoid the worst of the crowds. If you want to shop beforehand, visit Shinsaibashi first.
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What to Do in Dotonbori with Kids
① Beruberu Park Namba Dotonbori (べるべるパーク)
This indoor playground is in a convenient location right along Dotonbori. Children ages 6 and under accompanied by an adult are free. Up to two children (elementary school age and younger) are free per adult. On weekdays, it costs 380 yen per 30 minutes for one adult and 580 yen per 30 minutes on weekends and holidays. If you want unlimited soft drinks, it costs a little extra.
And don’t let the photo above fool you, this place was packed when we went, the kids were all just eating.
What I like about this place is that you can get a lunch set or platters of food to share. They have a kids’ menu as well with nibbles inside of car-shaped plates. They have all-you-can-drink soft drinks, too, which kids can get if they order a meal from the kids’ menu! I think it’s a good place for parents to relax and enjoy some food and drinks while their kids play. There are cocktails as well (for adults, of course).
They also have hands-on food activities that your kids can do for an additional cost, such as making sushi (1500 yen), pizza (1000 yen) or cake (1000 yen).
My daughter did the sushi experience and she had a lot of fun! The quality was similar to rotating sushi so don’t have high expectations but my kid ate it all and was happy. (If you do the sushi experience, make sure you have some antibacterial wipes on hand and have your child wash their hands in the bathroom before they go back to playing with toys. Note that it can also take some time for the staff to prepare everything so it’s best to order it as soon as possible.)
I think this place is more suited for younger children but older kids might enjoy the food here while their younger siblings play.
Also, it can be hard to find staff sometimes so you may need to wait outside the room (on the 4th floor) before someone shows up.
Personally, I think PLUS KIDSLAND ACADEMY in Shinsaibashi is a better indoor playground. It’s located a 17-minute walk from Beruberu Park Namba Dotonbori but if you’re planning on exploring Shinsaibashi anyway, it’s absolutely worth visiting.
② Karaoke at Pasela Resorts
Beruberu Park is owned by Pasela Resorts, a karaoke chain known for being a great place to have parties and for its food.
Best of all, Pasela Resorts has free rental toys, books (in Japanese), and a kids’ room! The toys are more for younger children, such as babies and toddlers, but my daughter, age 5, still enjoyed playing with what she selected.
They have a menu with lots of kid-friendly food as well!
③ Boat Ride Along Dotonbori Canal
This is super touristy but I decided to do it with my family since it was included in the Osaka Amazing Pass.
And you know what? We all loved it (even my Japanese husband, who hates doing touristy things, and I quote, “I had zero expectations but I’m actually glad we did that!”)!
I had never seen Dotonbori from the canal before and it was quite a relaxing trip where we could take in the sights without worrying about the crowds. The view of the Glico Man was the best!
My daughter had a great time, too, especially when we passed by an idol group performing. The guide also kindly took a family photo of us in front of the Glico sign, too! (Cutely, my daughter kept turning around to look at the Glico man so the guide took several photos.)
We rode the Osaka Wonder Cruise, which runs from around 4 PM but I think the best time is after sunset so you can see all the signs lit up. Be warned, though, there will likely be a line so I recommend making a reservation online beforehand.
④ Spot the Figures and Signs!
Dotonbori is famous for the giant figures perched on various restaurants, so I always like to find one and then ask my daughter if she can find it.
For instance, Spiderman climbing into a scallop, a giant octopus, giant takoyaki, giant crabs, and more!
Where to Eat in Dotonbori with Kids
There is so much to eat on Dotonbori that it can be hard to choose!
I’ve written about Dotonbori food for Japanese Food Guide (and yes, I went to all the places I mentioned in the article!) but at the time, I went by myself.
In terms of kid-friendly food, I still stand by CHIBO, an okonomiyaki restaurant. However, you might have to wait in line to eat there and there are other branches across the country. Another great place is Okonomiyaki Bonkuraya Dotombori, which is frequented by locals.
Note that these places don’t have food specifically for kids but you can easily share your okonomiyaki with your little ones. Okonomiyaki Bonkuraya Dotombori also has a set of four mini okonomiyaki, which looks like it would be perfect for sharing. (We didn’t like the flavors so we decided not to get it.)
I also like Kushikatsu Daruma, which is also a chain but it’s so good and affordable. Kids might also be amused by the giant angry man figure perched on the entrance.
Kushikatsu Shirotaya is another favorite of mine but the Dotonbori branch is closed due to repairs until spring 2025.
If you’re okay with standing in one spot and eating (which is totally fine on Dotonbori), get some takoyaki with your child. My daughter loves takoyaki but be warned, when my Canadian friends tried it for the first time, they hated it!
Tako means octopus in Japanese so these balls of slightly undercooked dough contain a piece of octopus, which your kid will either love or hate. I don’t recommend giving these to toddlers or babies due to the choking hazard, but you can try to ask if they’ll omit the octopus by saying, “Tako nashi dekimasuka?“.
🗣️ Japanese Language Tip: If you ever want to omit anything, say “[name of ingredient] nashi dekimasuka?”.
Takoyaki typically has mayonnaise and a savory sauce drizzled on it but for takoyaki with a twist, try my personal favorite, Creole Junk.
🐙 Read about more kid-friendly food experiences in Osaka!
Where to Stay in Dotonbori with Kids
If you’re looking for family-friendly accommodation in Dotonbori, here are my recommendations.
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