I have raved and raved about &Here TOKYO UENO as my favourite hotel to recommend for families in Tokyo – so I was SO excited to stay at the brand new brand that has recently opened in Osaka.
Namba is a fantastic place to stay with children in Osaka. Clean and convenient. Kid-friendly restaurants everywhere (open all hours too!) and it’s a fabulous base for sightseeing. See my Namba with kids guide here.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Read here if you are looking for day trip options from Osaka.
Click here to book in for the digital art experience in Osaka called “Miracle World.” (Book up to 3 months in advance.)
&Here OSAKA NAMBA
This brand new hotel is one of the most gorgeous and spacious options for families.
This area is a FABULOUS base for families in Osaka.
Literally food options just outside the front door!
A small playground around the corner!
The staff speak English and can assist with sightseeing and forwarding luggage!
The family rooms have their own kitchenettes including refrigerators.
There is a coin laundry inside the hotel!
A communal rooftop area for guests with an incredible view of Osaka!
I recommend this hotel to small families with children who need space to wriggle but also for families with teenagers who need their own space and the ability to safely explore. Below I have listed the closest playgrounds, family-friendly restaurants and shopping suggestions – including how many minutes walk all of these places are from the hotel itself.
As &Here OSAKA NAMBA is new – taxi drivers may not know where to go right away. If it helps – tell them it is opposite Namco Osaka Nipponbashi. You can show them this ナムコ大阪日本橋の前にあるホテルです）
The room types at &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Rooms at &Here OSAKA NAMBA cater to 2 people, 4 people or 6 people.
The rooms for more than 4 also have a kitchenette and guests are able to borrow complimentary items such as toaster ovens, rice cookers, blu-ray players etc. They are just 3 mins walk from Namba Station. This hotel provides cute little amenity kids for kids – including pyjamas for the whole family.
The exact bed size measurements for all rooms are on the official &Here OSAKA NAMBA website.
Superior Twin (no kitchenette but there is a fridge with a microwave.) This room is for 2 people. It has a shower, not a bath.
Deluxe Twin (no kitchenette but there is a fridge with a microwave.)
This room is for 2 people. It has a shower, not a bath.
Universal Twin (no kitchenette but there is a fridge with a microwave.)
Standard Family Bunk Room
This room sleeps 4 people, has a Japanese bath and toilet and a kitchenette with a dining area. So much space for families! (and you have that communal rooftop and lounge area for if you need even more wriggle space with kids)
Superior Family Bunk Room
This room sleeps 4 people, has a Japanese bath and toilet and a kitchenette with a dining area. So much space for families! (and you have that communal rooftop and lounge area for if you need even more wriggle space with kids)
Deluxe Family Bunk Room
This room is for up to 4 people.
Family Japanese Style Room
This room sleeps 4 people. Beds for 2 and 2 x futons. This room also has a lovely deep Japanese bath, a fridge and a microwave.
Deluxe Suite
The Deluxe Suite at &Here OSAKA NAMBA is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in an inner city hotel. Two separate bedrooms, a lush, deep Japanese bath, a washing machine in the room, a tatami area, a proper separate dining area. There is also a kitchenette with a refridgerator.
Executive Suite
This suite also can accommodate up to 6 people and this room also has a washing machine within the room and a kitchenette. This suite also has two separate bedrooms (great for parents who don’t want to have to go to sleep at the same as their children.)
The walkway between the lobby and the guest rooms at &Here OSAKA NAMBA
The Rooftop at &Here OSAKA NAMBA
The top floor here is a communal area with a beautiful view over Namba. They play Osaka baseball games on the projector up here and there is a rubbish and recycling bin – you can bring up your own snacks or alcoholic drinks!
The little Osaka touches. For example the Glico Man branded sweets in the vending machine in the hotel. The Glico Man just like at Dotombori – this is peak Osaka Iconic.
I just love how this hotel has nods to Osaka all throughout the hotel.
For example, the vending machines in the lounge sell the Glico Man (just like the giant glico man at Dotombori, aka an Osaka icon) branded sweets. Such a cute touch!
Mixed juice is well known in Osaka and &Here OSAKA NAMBA has leant into this local speciality by suggesting mixed drink recipes.
I also love this kid-friendly touch. When checking in, kids are gifted a little specialty coin to use in these Gachapon machines. Inside are a mixture of keyrings or sweets. And the Osaka no Obachan signs? Osaka is known for friendly middle aged “aunties” who always have sweeties in their purcahse to hand out to friends or children of friends. Side swipe on the stereotype – I also find that lots of friendly Osaka taxi drivers do the same thing! So lovely.
The on-site coin laundry at &Here OSAKA NAMBA
The machines are 500 yen per wash. The detergent is automatically dispensed from within the machine.
Making breakfast in your room at &Here OSAKA NAMBA
I have an blog post on how to make easy meals out of convenience store and supermarket foods in your apartment hotel here.
I also have a general guide to the convenience stores in Japan here.
And here are my tips on buying milk in Japan.
If you’d prefer to eat breakfast out..
BREAKFAST OPTIONS NEAR &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Sakimoto Bakery & Cafe is so beautiful. 2 mins walk from &HERE OSAKA NAMBA.
You’ll want to sit in this cafe all day long. The bread is freshly baked on site which makes for the yummiest jams on toast and the freshest, lightest sandwiches. If you love Japanese shokupan you will LOVE this place. See some of their yummy bread options here. They accept most major credit cards.
SAKIMOTO BAKERY & CAFE
大阪市浪速区難波中2-3-13 2F
2ND FLOOR, 2-3-13 NAMBA-NAKA, NANIWA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 8:30AM-5:30PM (LAST ORDERS 4:30PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 9AM-7PM (LAST ORDERS 6PM)
Holly’s Cafe is a coffee shop that also has sandwiches at the counter but they also serve toast and a boiled egg for breakfast 350 yen! And pancakes with butter or whipped cream for around 500-600 yen.
Holly’s Cafe is 3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA. They have electrical sockets for charging devices, free wifi and they accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. The restaurant seats 60 people. See pictures (and prices) of the Holly’s Cafe menu here.
HOLLY’S CAFE, NAMBA
大阪市浪速区難波中2-2-12 有馬ビル 1階
GROUND FLOOR, ARIMA BUILDING, 2-2-12 NAMBA
OPEN 8AM-10PM
There are two Komeda’s Coffee branches near the hotel (One store is 3 mins and the other is 8 mins from &Here OSAKA NAMBA.) Breakfast is served from 7am-11am (the further option opens at 8am not 7.) It is a simple breakfast plate with bread and jam (or just butter) a hard boiled egg and a small salad and around 600 yen. See pictures of the Komeda’s Coffee breakfast menu here. They have an English menu and accept most major credit cards.
They are also a fabulous kid-friendly option for lunch and dinner.
They accept most major credit cards. They are a walk-in only spot.
See pictures of the Komeda’s Coffee kids plate here. All meals (adults and kids) are under 1000 yen.
My kids also love the desserts here.
The food menu here is mostly fried chicken, pasta, frankfurter sausages, burgers and pasta.
Directly across the road is coffee chain Caffe Veloce. It is open 7am-9pm. They accept most major credit cards. The breakfast menu here is simple – for example: 330 yen for a toasted cheese & tuna sandwich. 330 yen for a cheese & ham sandwich. 550 yen with a scrambled egg and smoked bacon roll. See here for the full allergen menu at Caffe Veloce.
If you can do Tonkatsu for breakfast, see the info on 24 hour diner style restaurant Tonkatsu Matsunoya below. It’s just outside the hotel.
Or if you want to eat gyudon on rice or karaage (Japanese fried chicken) for breakfast, Yoshinoya, Namba City is just 3 mins away and it is open from 5am-until 2am the next day. They accepted most major credit cards (no cash accepted here.) See the Yoshinoya menu h
McDonalds is also 3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA, if you’re looking for a McDonalds breakfast.
See the McDonalds Japan breakfast menu here. You can also order chicken nuggets or even edamame and corn at McDonalds Japan in the morning. This McDonalds is open from 6:30am-11pm.
Pancakes & Books Bibliotheque is just 7 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA. Please note that it is not open until 11am. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. Budget 2000 yen per person to dine here. The restaurant seats 57 people but I recommend only visiting as a family if you have a reservation. Children 6 and older must order at least one item each (just a drink is fine.) See the kids menu here. Here is the lunch menu at Pancakes & Books. Here is the full pancake menu. All pancakes here can be made gluten free (same pans but they do clean them in between.)
PANCAKES & BOOKS BIBLIOTHEQUE
大阪市浪速区難波中2-10-70 なんばパークス 4F
4TH FLOOR, NAMBA PARKS SHOPPING COMPLEX
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-9PM
Game Centre / Arcade & Karaoke（1 min walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA)
Namco Osaka Nipponbashi is open 10am-midnight. Lots of arcade games and claw machines here on floors 1, 2 and 3. The fourth floor has Rainbow Karaoke. Karaoke is open from midday (11am on Saturdays) until 5am the following day. This is a fabulous rainy day option for when staying at &Here OSAKA NAMBA with kids.
See here for my tips on how to make the most of karaoke time as a family.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
100 yen shop near &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Seria (my favourite brand of 100 yen shops!) is just 3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA. It’s within the Namba city shopping mall complex but it is on the side right near the hotel. Open 11am-9pm.
WHERE TO BUY NAPPIES/DIAPERS NEAR &HERE OSAKA NAMBA?
Namba Parks Shopping Mall is 7 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA.
Within Namba Parks are also lots of lovely places to change baby and there is a big Toys R Us and Babies R Us (selling lots of nappies and baby food etc.). This has the biggest selection of nappies in this immediate area. Read here for other options on ordering diapers and other places to purchase while in Japan.
10 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA is the Sugi Drugstore (Dotonbori Higashi store) also sells nappies. It is open 24 hours. The diapers / nappies are usually on the racks out the front of the store.
SUPERMARKETS NEAR &HERE OSAKA NAMBA?
A-Price Namba Sennichimae is 2 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA. Open 10am-7pm.
Meidiya Osaka is a slightly more expensive supermarket but that is mainly because there are also lots of international pantry items and snacks here too (imported chocolate, spices, jams and chips etc.) Open 10am-8pm. It is in the basement floor of Takashimaya Department store. 4 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA.
Seijo Ishii has lots of high quality produce, freshly made bentos and prepared meals as well as pantry items and imported snacks and sweets. *This supermarket stocks a rice flour bread made by a company called “Happy Bakery.” It is 5 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA. Open 11am-10pm.
Ikari Nankai Namba is 7 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA (although I do think this supermarket is a little hard to find.) Open 10am-10pm.
Not a supermarket but a high end deli – every type of take out Japanese pre-cooked dishes that you could imagine can be found in the basement floor of department store Takashimaya. 4 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA.
Organic Supermarket Bio-Ral, Central Square Namba – 15 mins walk from MIMARU Osaka Namba North
This supermarket has lots of vegan and gluten free options. *This supermarket stocks a rice flour bread made by a company called “Happy Bakery.”
Kuromon Market is just 5 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Where to eat near &Here OSAKA NAMBA with kids!
A ramen joint (1 min walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA)
Men no Kuni is practically just outside the hotel (turn left when you exit.) They specialise in Miso Ramen. They welcome kids (please please please watch toddlers and babies around boiling hot ramen broth though, okay?) They also have space for strollers and a kids’ menu. The kid’s menu is a small bowl of miso ramen and a rice ball and a juice – you can see a picture here. This restaurant is cash only. All ramen options are under 1100 yen. This restaurant is non-smoking. Most popular menu items are miso ramen and miso ramen with tonkatsu. You can choose to add toppings like corn or soft-boiled egg.
MEN NO KUNI
大阪市中央区難波千日前6-9
6-9 NAMBA SENNICHIMAE, NAMBA, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-10PM
A sushi restaurant (3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA)
Sakana Biiki is open for lunch or dinner and they welcome children. I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per person at lunchtime or 3000 yen at dinner time. They have an English menu. They accept most major credit cards. If coming from Nankai Namba Station, take the South Exit. Unless you are there right at 11am, it is a good idea to ask your hotel to make a reservation on your behalf. I recommend ordering the 7 sashimi platter of the day (刺身7種盛合せ). For kids who don’t like raw fish, they also have fries, corn tempura, fried octopus, dashimaki, egg sushi (a thick piece of omelette on rice), shinkomaki and umeshisomaki. I recommend reading this if your kids are used to western style sushi as traditional sushi in Japan is a bit different and I explain that here.
At lunch they serve a teishoku (set menu) until 5pm too. Usually grilled or fried fish of the day with rice and soup. Or a lunch assorted sushi or sashimi plate for around 1000 yen.
SAKANA BIIKI
大阪市中央区難波5-1-60 なんばCITY本館1階
GROUND FLOOR, NAMBA CITY MAIN BUILDING, 5-1-60 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-10:30PM
Tonkatsu restaurant (1 min walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA)
Tonkatsu Matsunoya is just outside &Here OSAKA NAMBA. Walk out of the entrance and turn right – it’s on the same side of the road. This is a cash only restaurant. Open 24 hours. The restaurant is casual (like a casual diner) but the food is good. Meal sets are all under 1000 yen.
See pictures of the menu options at Tonkatsu Matsunoya here.
TONKATSU MATSUNOYA, NAMBA
大阪市中央区難波千日前8-12 ショッププランナー国際東ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, SHOP PURAINA KOKUSAI HIGASHI BUILDING,
NANBASENNICHIMAE, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 24 HOURS
Cocoichibanya curry house has a branch just 3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA.
I have written in detail about Cocoichibanya here. This particular branch is open from 11am-11pm.
And if you’re willing to walk for 6 mins to the Coco Ichibanya Naniwaku Nambanaka Branch- you have 24 hour access to Japanese curry rice as it never closes.
Kyushu style ramen & the most amazing tomato ramen just 3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Kyushu Ramen Kio Namba is casual but vibey in all the best ways! You can try for a walk-in or ask the hotel to make a reservation on your behalf. It’s also 5 mins away from Namba Station. Please note that this restaurant is cash only. Unfortunately, this restaurant does allow smoking EXCEPT for between 11am-2pm when smoking is completely banned.
KYUSHU RAMEN KIO NAMBA
大阪市中央区難波千日前10-13
10-13 NAMBA SENNICHIMAE, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-MIDNIGHT
A family-friendly pizza and salad spot near Namba – just 3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
“A Pizza” is 7 mins walk from Namba Station or 3 mins walk from Nihonbashi Station. You can ask your hotel to make a reservation by phone on your behalf. I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per adult at lunchtime and more like 3000 yen for dinner. Please note that this restaurant is cash only. The restaurant is non-smoking (although smoking is allowed on the terrace.) See the “A Pizza” lunch menu here. See the “A Pizza” dinner menu here.
A PIZZA
大阪市中央区日本橋2-5-10
2-5-10 NIHONBASHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11:30AM-10:30PM (CLOSES AT 9:30PM ON SUNDAYS
Casual hole in the wall style style okonomiyaki restaurant just 4 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
They welcome kids here. You can make a reservation but I honestly think it’s worth just going for a walk-in. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per adult for dinner here – at lunchtime more like 1000 yen. They have an English menu. I recommend trying okonomiyaki and also omusoba (yakisoba wrapped in an omelette.) See here for my advice on ordering a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki in Japan.
OKONOMIYAKI REIJIRO NAMBA
大阪市中央区難波千日前10-14 森岡ビル1F・2F
FIRST & SECOND FLOOR, MORIOKA BUILDING, 10-14 NAMBA SENNICHIMAE, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11:30AM-11PM
Okonomiyaki & Teppanyaki restaurant just 3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
This restaurant is called At the 21 and they welcome children and babies. They even have space for strollers. I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per adult to eat here at lunchtime and more like 3000 yen for dinner. They accept most major credit cards. They do accept reservations. If you are coming from Namba Station, take Exit E5 and walk for 5 mins. It is also 7 mins walk from Exit 5 from Nipponbashi Station. See my tips on how to order a vegetarian okonomiyaki here. I recommend ordering okonomiyaki, yakisoba or omusoba (omelette around yakisoba noodles) here.
AT THE 21, NAMBA
大阪市中央区難波千日前4-5
4-5 NAMBA SENNICHIMAE, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN WEEKDAYS: MIDDAY-3:30PM & 5:30PM-10PM
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS : MIDDAY-10PM
Kurasushi (sushi train restaurant) is just 2 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA.
It’s a chain so they are in most of major spots in Japan. This place is completely automated . No Japanese language skills required whatsoever. It is a non-smoking restaurant and accepts most major credit cards. I’d expect to pay approx 1500 yen per adult for a decent meal but if you just want to taste a few things – it is only 130 yen for some options. Kurasushi have a list of all of their food with common allergens here. If kids are used to western style sushi, they will like this place.
(Kurasushi is great when dining with kids and there are lots of cooked non-raw sushi options but if you really love sushi you may be a little disappointed with the raw-fish quality / some have found that the fish meat is a bit frozen in the middle. See here for my tips on what to do in Japan if your kids like to eat westernized versions of sushi or california rolls etc.)
They accept most major credit cards. They also have free wifi.
For sushi train options in Japan – Kura Sushi definitely has the most gluten free options (you can even put a filter on the ipad menu to see what is an option for you.)
KURASUSHI NAMBA NIPPONBASHI
大阪市中央区難波千日前15-15BRAVE難波 4F
4TH FLOOR, BRAVE NAMBA BUILDING, 15-15 NAMBA SENNICHIMAE, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-MIDNIGHT (FROM 10:20AM ON WEEKENDS)
Burritos – just 3 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Baby Burrito Brothers is 2 mins walk from the South Exit of Nankai Namba Station. This is a fast food restaurant so they don’t take reservations. There are only 13 seats here anyway as most people buy these “to-go.” They accept most major credit cards. Most options are under 2000 yen. See pictures of the Baby Burrito Brothers food options on their instagram account here.
It’s on the 2nd floor. They have an English menu. Order options include chicken, beef, pork and veggie burritos (in three different sizes) and you can also choose a spicy version or a burrito bowl option.
BABY BURRITO BROTHERS
大阪市中央区難波千日前13-13 2F
SECOND FLOOR, 13-13 NAMBA SENNICHIMAE, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN MON, WED, THURS, FRI & SAT 11:30AM-9PM (LAST ORDERS 8:30PM)
OPEN SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 11:30AM-6PM (LAST ORDERS 5:30PM)
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Or for a more authentic sushi and Japanese food experience, I recommend sushi restaurant Uoharu – just 4 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
They welcome children here. For lunch I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per adult or 8000 yen at dinner time. They accept most major credit cards. There are 7 seats at the counter and the rest are tables ( it will need to be a table option if you have small children.) The entire restaurant is non-smoking. You will need to use google translate for reading the menu. I recommend just going in and asking for the Tempura Moriawase (assorted tempura of the day) and, at lunch time, just get the sushi teishoku (the sushi of the day lunch set.)
UOHARU
大阪市中央区谷町6-3-9 グラムコートゼン 1F
GROUND FLOOR, GRAM COURT ZEN BUILDING, 6-3-9 TANIMACHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN TUES-THURS MIDDAY-2PM & 5PM-11PM (LAST ORDERS 10PM)
OPEN FRI 11AM-2PM & 3:30PM-11PM (LAST ORDERS 10PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS 3:30PM-11PM
CLOSED MONDAYS
Yakitori casual chain Torikizoku (Namba Sennichimae Branch) is 8 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
The entire restaurant is no smoking. They accept most major credit cards. See the full Torikizoku menu in English here. Budget 3000 yen per adult for a meal here. If one person in the family doesn’t love yakitori, there are a couple of other options like sliced cold tomato, edamame, fried chicken, fries, camembert croquettes etc. Lots of gluten free diners like eating here – Yakitori can be a good option when you are gluten free. But be sure to ask for it to be prepared with salt, not tare (sauce/marinade as “tare” is made using soy sauce.) Ask your hotel to phone ahead and see if this is possible.
TORIKIZOKU NAMBA SENNICHIMAE
大阪市中央区難波3-4-13 味わいばしビル 9F
9TH FLOOR, AJIWAIBASHI BUILDING, 3-4-13 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 5PM-1AM (FROM 4PM ON WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS)
An izakaya who welcomes kids and has space for strollers – 5 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
An izakaya called Namihei Stand welcome children and even have space for strollers. It is 5 mins walk from Namba Station. Ask your hotel to make a reservation on your behalf. This restaurant has 4 floors – it’s vibey in the best way. I recommend budgeting 1000 yen per adult to eat here at lunch time and more like 3000 yen at dinner time. Namihei Stand accept most major credit cards. Please note that smoking is allowed in certain parts of this restaurant so ask to sit away from the smoking sections with children (another reason to book ahead.). They have free wifi. Pets are allowed in the outdoor seating section. I recommend ordering the Agetate Atsuage Tofu, Ebi Mayo, Japanese potato salad, sashimi, edamame. Like most izakaya in Japan, the normal thing to do is order several items per person for the table to share and then order more as you go.
NAMIHEI STAND
大阪市中央区日本橋2-5-19
2-5-19 NIHONBASHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 5PM-MIDNIGHT
OPEN SATURDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS MIDDAY-MIDNIGHT
OPEN SUNDAYS 1PM-MIDNIGHT
A hot pot restaurant just 7 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Onabeya Kuromon is at the entrance to Kuromon Market (pictured above). They have an English menu. They specialize in Oden, Kushikatsu, Udon (including Curry Udon), Tempura and Sashimi Rice Bowls. Budget to spend 1000 yen per adult during the day and more like 3000 yen for dinner. They accept major credit cards. This restaurant is very popular – especially with tourists. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. For this reason – it’s best to ask your hotel to make a reservation on your behalf. They can also make space for strollers.
KUROMON ONABEYA
大阪市中央区日本橋1-21-28
1-21-28 NIPPONBASHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 10AM-10PM
A pizzeria just 4 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Logic Pizzeria & Oyster Namba welcome children. They accept most major credit cards. See the full Logic Namba menu here. If coming from Namba Station, it is 1 min walk from Exit 12. When you put this place into google maps be sure to put in “Pizzeria&Oister Logic Uranamba” to make sure you get to the right place. I recommend budgeting for 3000 yen per adult to dine here. They have an English menu.
LOGIC NAMBA PIZZERIA & BAR
大阪市中央区千日前13-15
13-15 SENNICHIMAE, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 5PM-2AM
Fluffy, jiggly pancakes – 11 mins in a cab from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Make reservations 2 weeks ahead if you want to eat those fluffy, jiggly viral Japanese pancakes by visiting A Happy Pancake Shinsaibashi (see here for my full list of things to book in advance when visiting Japan with kids.) It is possible to just turn up but wait times can be up to 45 mins long AND some places only take walk-ins until they are sold out. Reservations for famous restaurant called “A Happy Pancake” (also referred to as Shiawase no Pancake in Japanese -and is sometimes spelled this way on google maps) open exactly 2 weeks ahead of your preferred dining date. Reservations open two weeks in advance at midnight Japan time! They have restaurants in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Fukuoka and Okinawa.
Click here to make A Happy Pancake reservation for you and your family. You will need to make an account and log in to do so (so this before midnight to ensure your reservation is as quick as possible.)
The Happy Pancake Shinsaibashi store is just 3 mins walk from Shinsaibashi Station via Exit 7 or 3 mins walk from Namba Station. Budget 2000 yen per person to dine here. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
A HAPPY PANCAKE, SHINSAIBASHI
名古屋市中区栄3-15-33 栄ガスビル B1F
B1F SAKAE GAS BUILDING, 3-15-33 SAKAE, NAKA-KU, NAGOYA-SHI
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11AM-8PM (LAST ORDERS 7:15PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 10AM-8:30PM (LAST ORDERS 7:40PM)
*Please note! Pancakes are only sold until 2:30pm on Weekends!
My favourite places to shop near &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Takashimaya Osaka Department Store (4 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA)
This is a mid-high end department store. Takashimaya has many family-friendly restaurants (see here for my favourites)
The majority of the shops here are open from 10am-8pm.
There is an Onitsuka Tiger store here.
For women: if you are bigger than the average Japanese clothing and need to buy clothing, there is a section on the 4th floor called “Your Size.” (This is good quality clothing though so I wouldn’t go here hoping for a bargain.)
This fruit and juice shop is 10 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
If you are looking for fresh fruit while in the area (or while sightseeing around Dotonbori) I recommend heading to Fruits Collection Kakumi. It is more expensive than fruit at the supermarket but IT IS SO WORTH IT! The quality is just so amazing. Out the front they sell cups of (depending on the season of course) chopped watermelon, platters of fresh fruit, mango, grapes, cherries, figs, melons, pineapple. You can also show kids how expensive the whole melons and canteloupes are for gifting (I speak more about that here if you are interested in why some Japanese fruit is gift wrapped and is so expensive.)
They also sell fresh fruit juice.
FRUITS COLLECTION KAKUMI
大阪区中央区宗右衛門町4-12春帆ビル１F
GROUND FLOOR, SHUNPAN BUILDING, 4-12 SOEMONCHO, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN TUES-SAT 2PM-MIDNIGHT
OPEN ON SUN & MON WHEN THESE DAYS FALL ON A NATIONAL HOLIDAY
A beautiful place to buy a unique Japanese souvenir -6 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Just 5 mins walk from the Dotonbori bridge, within the Ebisubashi shopping arcade (It’s an undercover shopping street) is a jewellery shop called Rin. It is also 2 mins walk from Namba Station. They sell affordably prices jewellery pieces but my eyes are always especially drawn to the Japan specific options. In particular, I love the hiragana character earrings. So beautiful. I’ve linked to them here. They also have kanji characters. I’ve also linked here all of the Japan inspired charms (origami cranes, fans, Mt Fuji, ninja stars, daruma etc. When looking for this store – enter Rin Osaka-Minami into google maps. They can also ship internationally so, if you regret not buying more – you can always do so later online. Rin also have other branches around Japan.
Pictured here – an earring with the hiragana character “mi” (no meaning – hiragana is one of the Japanese phonetic Alphabet characters.)
This hotel has an incredible hotel branch in Tokyo too – it’s my favourite hotel to recommend for families in Tokyo, actually! I’ve written in detail about it here.
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Pork-free Ramen -13 mins walk from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
Ichiran’s only Osaka branch that does not use any pork at all. The soup for the ramen is tokotsu style, not shoyu. Instead of pork -the protein used here is mostly chicken. This restaurant is 3 mins walk from Namba Station (use Exit 14 if coming from the Midosuji line.) Budget 2000 yen per person for a meal here – oh and warning – there will be a long queue. They accept most major credit cards and the entire venue is non-smoking. Children and babies are welcome here (it’s only counter seating though so please please please be careful with little hands that may grab at hot pots of broth.)
ICHIRAN, NAMBA MIDOSUJI
心斎橋筋2-4-2 グルカスシティビル 2F
2F GOUR CUSS CITY BUILDING, 2-4-2 SHINSAIBASHI
OPEN 9:30AM-10PM (LAST ORDERS 9:45PM)
This gluten free cafe is 8 mins in a cab (or 22 mins on foot) from &Here OSAKA NAMBA
The cafe is called Chocolatta. This cafe does an amazing array of colourful, over-filled Japanese sandwiches – using gluten free rice flour bread. I recommend the vegetable sandwich or the egg sandwich. They also have sugar-free gluten free rice flour bread french toast. If you are arriving by train, get off at Matsuyamachi Station and walk for 6 mins from Exit 3. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
This cafe is open for breakfast and lunch (and I guess and early dinner on weekends as they stay open until 6pm.) All meals here are under 2000 yen. They accept most major credit cards.
CHOCOLATTA
中央区瓦屋町2-12-15 松屋町グランドハイツ 1F
GROUND FLOOR, MATSUYAMACHI GRAND HEIGHTS BUILDING, 2-12-15 KAWARAYAMACHI, CHUO-KU
OPEN WEEKDAYS (EXCEPT FOR WEDNESDAYS) 6:30AM-2PM (LAST ORDERS 3:30PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 6:30AM-6PM (LAST ORDERS 5:30PM)
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
