Rainy or Hot Days in Osaka with Kids: Indoor Activities
Last Updated on November 15, 2024 by Kay
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Wondering what to do with your kids when it’s pouring rain outside? How about when it’s so hot that you need to be somewhere cool inside?
I’m a mom living in Osaka and I’ve been there. This is why I’ve created this article on things to do with kids when it’s raining or hot in Osaka, all tried and tested with my daughter. I’ve also written an article about indoor activities in Kyoto.
I’ll be adding to this list when I find more places, so keep an eye out for it!
(I’ve also written an article about how to stay cool with kids during summer in Japan, so you might want to check it out.)
Table of Contents
- Universal Studios Japan
- Kids Plaza Osaka
- Bornelund
- SKIDS GARDEN (スキッズガーデン) LINKS UMEDA
- Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest
- Toy Toy Park
- NIFREL: Interactive Aquazoo
- CUP NOODLES Museum Osaka Ikeda
- Round 1
- PLUS KIDSLAND ACADEMY
- Pokemon Cafe
- Beruberu Park
- DADWAY Indoor Playground
- Yu Kids Island
- ATC Asobi Mare
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
- Solaniwa
- Sumikko Asobi Studio
- AEON MALL
- Wrap-Up: Rainy and Hot Days in Osaka with Kids
Universal Studios Japan
Okay, you might be thinking I’m nuts for recommending this but hear me out. The kids’ area, specifically Universal Wonderland, has two indoor spaces and playgrounds, making it great for when it’s raining or hot out. My daughter can easily spend hours inside Imagination Playland and Snoopy’s Sound Adventure (in fact, it’s hard to get her to leave to see the rest of the park).
I’ve written an entire article about Universal Studios Japan (USJ) so make sure to give it a read!
Cost: Kids three and under are free, kids ages 4 to 11 are 5600 yen, and visitors ages 12 and up are 8600 yen.
Kids Plaza Osaka
This is an indoor, interactive science museum where kids can learn about all sorts of things through hands-on activities. There’s a huge indoor playground, too. Best of all, it’s only one stop from Osaka-Umeda Station!
If you want to know more, read my article about Kids Plaza Osaka.
Bornelund
This is my go-to playdate location when it’s hot, raining, or cold outside since it’s located pretty much next to Osaka-Umeda Station in the Grand Front Building, which is easy for all of my friends living across Osaka to access.
Kids can easily spend the entire day at this indoor playground, and you can leave and come back on the same day if you want as well.
Cost: Varies depending on age, how long you’re staying, and whether it’s a weekday, weekend, or holiday. It’s also more expensive during spring vacation and winter vacation.
SKIDS GARDEN (スキッズガーデン) LINKS UMEDA
Located on the 5th floor of the Yodobashi Umeda Tower LINKS UMEDA building, this indoor playground is the perfect place for babies, toddlers, and small children. It can be somewhat challenging to find — go to the Nintendo section of the floor and look for the Molly Fantasy sign. Head down the small corridor and you’re there!
Kids can play in the ball pit, ride on a small merry-go-round, go down a slide, or pretend to work at a takoyaki shop.
It’s really hard to tear my daughter away from here after she’s played for an hour, so I have to bribe her with the arcade and crane games just outside in Molly Fantasy.
Cost: 800 yen for the first 30 minutes, 300 yen for every 15 minutes afterwards
Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest
This library has three floors filled with children’s books. Keep in mind that most books are in Japanese and you need a reservation to enter.
There’s a 90-minute time limit and I found that the time went by very fast. However, my daughter had a great time choosing different books and having me read them to her.
Cost: Free!
Toy Toy Park
A small facility, Toy Toy Park is located one stop away from Osaka Station. It contains a variety of toys for kids to play with such as Plarail, Pretty Cure (Precure), and Lego. Kids can also see passing trains from the window.
Cost: 350 yen per visitor for one hour and 1800 yen for a day pass.
NIFREL: Interactive Aquazoo
This is a beautiful zoo located in northern Osaka near EXPOCITY. There’s no outdoor space so you can stay dry and cool inside while looking at all the different animals and marine creatures. My daughter also likes how bright the place is and that some of the animals can freely roam about.
When you’re done here (or even beforehand), definitely visit the mall next door, LALAPORT. It has tons of shops and places to eat. If you’re wondering what to buy for your kids, there’s an entire area with baby and kid shops on the 3rd floor. Check out KIDDY LAND for Hello Kitty merchandise and the Ghibli store on the 3rd floor as well!
Cost: Visitors ages 16 and up are 2200 yen, elementary and junior high school students are 1100 yen, children ages 3 to 6 are 650 yen, and children ages two and under are free.
CUP NOODLES Museum Osaka Ikeda
This is maybe a half-day indoor activity but if you’re taking the train, it’s easy to go from here to NIFREL and LALAPORT. It’s relatively close to Osaka-Umeda Station, too.
Kids can enjoy learning about how to make CUP NOODLES and even get the chance to make some themselves!
I’ve written an article about my experience visiting the CUP NOODLES Museum with my daughter so please give it a read!
Cost: 500 yen to make CUP NOODLES, free to enter the building
Round 1
I’ve been a fan of this amusement center ever since I was a carefree single living in Japan for the first time. There is so much to do, and kids can enjoy it, too! I’m talking bowling, a game center, karaoke, billiards, batting cages, and more.
There are lots of Round 1 locations throughout Osaka. Two that are in central locations include Round 1 Umeda and Round 1 Sennichimae. Round 1 Sennichimae is near Dotonbori and has an indoor playground as well as a whole bunch of other things for kids to do, so if you want to know more, read my article all about it!
PLUS KIDSLAND ACADEMY
This is an excellent indoor playground located in Shinsaibashi. It’s perfect for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, although I saw some kids there who were probably in early elementary school.
I’ve written about this indoor playground and all it has to offer in my article on exploring Shinsaibashi with kids so if you want to know more, please give it a read!
Pokemon Cafe
If your kid is like mine, then they might be obsessed with Pokemon. This cafe is inside the DAIMARU department store in Shinsaibashi, which also has a Pokemon Center and a JUMP Shop, so there’s lots to see and do.
Read my article about visiting the Pokemon Cafe with my daughter to know more about the experience and how to make a reservation for the cafe!
Beruberu Park
This indoor playground is located in Dotonbori and is about 17 minutes on foot from PLUS KIDSLAND ACADEMY. It’s quite small but everyone can enjoy yummy food and drinks there, so I think it’s a good lunch option. Beruberu Park also has some hands-on food activities for kids for an additional charge.
I’ve written in detail about Beruberu Park in my Dotonbori with kids article.
DADWAY Indoor Playground
If you’re in Namba, head to Namba Parks. This shopping mall has an indoor playground on the 5th floor that’s perfect for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Note that they do not allow children in elementary school. Read more about school ages in Japan.
Yu Kids Island
This indoor playground is located in the basement of Yamada Denki, which is next to Namba Parks. It’s small but the Yamada Denki also has an area on the same floor where kids can play with toys for free.
You can find out more about this place in my Namba with kids article.
Cost: Starts from 500 yen
ATC Asobi Mare
My daughter had so much fun at this indoor playground when she went here and I don’t blame her! They have bouncy castles, crane games, little rides, and costume areas.
Cost: 900 yen for kids ages 2 and up on weekdays and 1100 yen on weekends. Adults have to pay the entry fee as well.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
This is a great place to visit when the weather isn’t the best. Among its many types of sea life includes whale sharks. It’s also one of the largest aquariums in the world! Kaiyukan can get very busy during summer, though.
There’s a LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER nearby too, inside of a shopping mall called Tempozan Marketplace, so make sure to check that out!
Cost: The cost might vary depending on the date. Children ages two and under are free, ages 3-6 are from 700 yen, ages 7-15 are from 1400 yen, and 16 and up are 2700 yen.
Solaniwa
If you want an onsen experience with your family on a rainy day (or even a hot day if you’re up for it!), then this indoor onsen is a great place to visit. You can also rent yukata and walk around enjoying the atmosphere that’s like being at a Japanese festival. The only drawback is that if it’s raining, you might not be able to experience the rooftop garden area. It can also be quite crowded.
Another amusement park-like onsen is Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Minoh, but I found the facilities a bit old and lacking. (My daughter had fun at one of their concerts aimed at the elderly though, I don’t know what that says about her but I am living for it!)
Cost: Children ages 4-12 cost 1320 yen, 12 and up varies depending on the date, and children ages three and under are free.
Sumikko Asobi Studio
Located in the newly opened LaLaport Kadoma Shopping Mall, this adorable play area is bound to make kids who love kawaii very happy. Although small, there is plenty for kids to do, such as jumping in a ball pit, going down slides, or playing in the many colorful little Sumikko-themed houses.
My daughter spent 30 minutes here but she absolutely wanted to stay longer.
The mall also has lots to do, such as shopping (if your child is a baby or toddler, check out the Akachan Honpo) an arcade, a game center, and more.
Cost: 600 yen for the first 30 minutes, 150 yen for every ten minutes afterward
AEON MALL
This is one of my favorite chain of malls in Japan because it’s super kid-friendly! They usually have play areas and indoor playgrounds for kids. There are plenty of places to shop for kids as well.
AEON MALL in Osaka Dome City has two play areas, one on the 3rd floor (Kid’s Castle) for children ages 1 to 6, and a Kid’s Park in the 4th-floor food court for children 6 and under.
AEON MALL in Sakai Kita Hanada also has several free play areas for kids.
Wrap-Up: Rainy and Hot Days in Osaka with Kids
As you can see, there’s plenty to do with kids in Osaka when it’s raining out or sweltering hot.
If you’re outside when it’s very hot, make sure to take the proper precautions to ensure your child stays cool and won’t suffer from heatstroke. Japanese summers are no joke! You might want to read my article on summer in Japan with kids.
I hope this article has been helpful and I’ll make sure to update it when my daughter and I experience somewhere new!