This is the most iconic Osaka sightseeing spot there is. You will need to take the subway or a cab to get here and I highly recommend visiting at night as it all just looks so much more beautiful and the area really comes to life.
The most famous place to take a picture is in front of the Glico Man sign. (Warning: the sign is often switched off at 9pm so make sure you get your Glico running man picture before then.)
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links – meaning that, if you book accommodation using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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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.)
I know many families head to Dotonbori as it is in all the guidebooks etc but, actually, maybe just spend a tiny bit of time here and then move on. One afternoon or evening is plenty – then I recommend venturing out to Umeda or Namba or the Osaka Castle area. These areas are more beautiful, less crowded, cleaner – just more lovely in every way. See here for all of my Osaka with kids tips.
Click here to book one of the boat rides on the Dotombori (kids and babies allowed.) Personally, I really only recommend doing this at night as it’s a bit grey and yucky during the day – but the neon lights make it a bit nicer at night. As it is just a boat cruise for sightseeing it’s quite reasonably priced too.
An Osaka Castle manhole cover (just outside Zetteria hamburger chain on the edge of the Dotonbori bridge.)
For really yummy fresh fruit (it’s a bit more expensive than the supermarket but the quality is WORTH IT!) I recommend visiting Fruits Collection Kakumi. 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
8 mins walk from the Glico sign in the Dotonbori area…
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. 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!
If you’re looking for a really fun family-friendly activity (fun for teens too) I recommend visiting Round One Sennichimae (just 4 mins walk from Dotombori.)
Here they have bowling, karaoke booths, darts, arcade games and indoor ball pits, indoor football and VR games. This place is truly incredible.
Children under 16 must be with a legal guardian and aren’t allowed to visit after 10pm
This arcade is 3 mins walk from Namba Station.
ROUND ONE SENNICHIMAE
大阪市中央区難波1-3-1
1-3-1 NAMBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 6AM-MIDNIGHT (SOME FACILITIES OPEN LATER)
*If you miss out on Round One in Osaka, don’t worry as I speak about the Round One option in Kyoto in my Kyoto with kids post.
Game Centre / Arcade & Karaoke（2 mins walk from Namba Station)
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 in Namba with kids.
See here for my tips on how to make the most of karaoke time as a family.
A beautiful place to buy a unique Japanese souvenir
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.)
Where to eat with kids after visiting Dotonbori:
A fantastic option is Gyozaoh! Dotonbori. It is 6 mins walk from the Dotonbori bridge (it takes the same amount of time in a cab so, sorry, no shortcuts for this one.) The gyoza here are delicious and also there are vegan menu options.
This restaurant sometimes accepts reservations but most diners walk in. On weekends – there can be a 20-30 min wait so- with kids, I recommend going there right at 5pm. There are counter seats and table seats. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
This restaurant also serves wine, sake and cocktails.
This restaurant is 8 mins walk from Namba Station.
GYOZAOH! DOTONBORI STORE
大阪市中央区道頓堀2-4-14
2-4-14 DOTONBORI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 5PM-11PM
Wagyu Takoyaki & Hamburger Steaks
2 mins walk from Dotonbori is Gyu-kaku Dotombori Ebisubashi. They are a restaurant and out the front they have a stand that sells gluten-free wagyu takoyaki. It’s also 3 mins walk from Namba Station. The restaurant accept most major credit cards. For a sit-down meal inside the restaurant, I recommend budgeting for 4000 yen per adult. The kids meal is a small hamburger steak with rice and some fries.
GYU-KAKU DOTOMBORI EBISUBASHI
大阪区中央区道頓堀 1−6−10 ふるさとビル
FURUSATO BUILDING, 1-6-10 DOTONBORI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-MIDNIGHT
OPEN WEEKENDS 11:30AM-MIDNIGHT
A casual omakase restaurant that also welcomes kids
Sushi Nakago Bettei, Shinsaibashi
This is a great casual restaurant to have a casual lunch with an omakase sushi course.
Omakase courses at lunchtime are 2,800 yen, 5,800 yen or 9,800 yen.
This restaurant allows babies as well as children. They have space to store a stroller while you dine.
If you are not having an omakase course and ordering a set course or off the menu..
I recommend budgeting around 3000 yen for lunch and 10.000 yen per adult for dinner.
Sushi Nakago Bettei is 3 mins walk from Shinsaibashi Station or 7 mins walk from Namba Station.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. There is a table charge of 330 yen per person (and to say thank you you will be gifted a small appetizer of the season called an “otoshi”)
Sushi Nakago Bettei is completely non-smoking.
The interior of this restaurant is very beautiful (as you can see from Sushi Nakago Betters instagram account here)
Book using this ByFood link now if you have allergies or want to choose your exact course ahead of time. You can tell them exactly what you can and can’t eat and order your exact course online. This is also a great option if you’re worried about any language problems while in the restaurant – it can all be done in English ahead of time.
The restaurant asks that you refrain from wearing perfumes or scented hair products.
Please note : OMAKASE IS NOT FOR FUSSY / PICKY EATERS.
OMAKASE SUSHI IS FINE DINING AND THE CHEF CHOOSES THE MENU. THAT MEANS YOU WILL LIKELY GET SUSHI ITEMS LIKE FISH EGGS, SQUID, FISH SPERM, SEA URCHIN ETC. YOU CANNOT CHOOSE WHAT YOU DO AND DON’T LIKE. THAT IS OMAKASE. IT MEANS THE CHEF CHOOSES.
You don’t have to eat everything on your plate*. You don’t even have to try everything. You are the customer. But you don’t get to choose the menu.
*Japanese people do dislike food wastage (don’t we all?!) and so I recommend at least trying each dish OR if you are not the type to want to try lots of new and wonderful delicacies – then I don’t think omakase style is the best choice for you. Go for a restaurant where you order the dishes you want to eat (a la carte or tanpin as it’s called in Japan.)
Here are a whole lot of my personal tips on dining etiquette in Japan.
SUSHI NAKAGO BETTEI
大阪市中央区心斎橋筋1-3-2 SOPHIA NEXTビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, SOPHIA NEXT BUILDING, 1-3-1 SHINSAIBASHI-SUJI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN FOR LUNCH 12PM-3PM (LAST ORDER AT 2:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-10:30PM (LAST ORDER AT 9:30PM)
CLOSED FOR THE NEW YEARS PERIOD
A Hamburger Steak Restaurant – 13 mins walk from the Glico Sign
Yamamoto no Hamburg Shinsaibashi
This restaurant welcomes kids and has the cutest kid’s plate. They also have space for strollers. It is 3 mins walk from Shinsaibashi Station or 13 mins walk from the Dotonbori Glico sign. Budget 1100 yen per adult for a meal here. See the full menu for Yamamoto no Hamburg Steak here. They accept most major credit cards. The entire venue is non-smoking. They have different types of hamburg steaks and then you choose your own toppings such as fried egg, bacon, melted cheese etc. Side dishes include fried chicken, sausages, a few small salads etc. They have lots of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks and they also do their own blended vegetable juice.
Top row: The Yamamoto (Classic) Hamburger Steak, The Homemade Hamburger Steak, Grated Daikon Radish in Ponzu Sauce Hamburger Steak.
Second Row; Avocado Cheese Hamburger Steak, Garlic Hamburger Steak, Cheese Hamburger Steak.
Third Row: Sunny Side Up Fried Egg Hamburger Steak, Kimchi Cheese Hamburger Steak, The Double Hamburger Steak.
Bottom Row: Sesame Yuzu Ponzu Hamburger Steak, The Kids Plate.
YAMAMOTO NO HAMBURG STEAK, SHINSAIBASHI
大阪市中央区南船場3-6-4
3-6-4 MINAMI-SENBA, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
Pizza by the Slice
How about grabbing a slice of pizza at Slices in Nishishinsaibashi ( 6 mins walk from Dotombori.). There are also many vegan pizza options. It is also 6 minutes from Namba Station.
If you book ahead, they also sometimes offer pizza making experiences for kids on Sundays- in English.
They accept cash and cards. There is a small amount of seating – all counter seating. They also serve wine and cocktails. Takeout allowed.
This is a fabulous and easy dinner with kids in Osaka.
SLICES
2-3-21 NISHISHINSAIBASHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN: TUESDAY-SUNDAY 12PM-12AM
CLOSED: MONDAYS
Vegan Restaurant & Vegan Convenience Store
Try vegan restaurant Paprika Shokudo ( 5 mins walk from exit 3 of Shinsaibashi subway station on the Midosuji line or 2 mins walk from Yotsubashi subway station on the Yotsubashi line via exit 2 OR 20 mins walk or 7 mins in a cab – approx 750 yen from Dotonbori.). They accept most major credit cards.
They have a vegan Katsu Donburi that is very popular. This restaurant serves meal plates ( one plate will include a few dishes and a salad or grain, for example.) For this restaurant I would budget around 2000 yen per person. Ingredients here are organic. This restaurant seats 40 people. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
PAPRIKA SHOKUDO
大阪市西区新町1-9-9アリビオビル1F
ARIBIO BULIDING, GROUND FLOOR, 1-9-9 SHINMACHI, NISHI-KU, OSAKA
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30-3PM (LAST ORDER 2:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5:30PM-9PM (LAST ORDER 10PM)
And, connected to the restaurant – is a little COMPLETELY VEGAN convenience store! You can take home ramen, dessert, sauces etc.
Fresh strawberry desserts
A dessert or snack option while near Dotonbori, is Strawberry Mania Dotonbori. This stall sells mochi with the fresh strawberry in the middle, They also serve soft-serve ice-cream with a fresh strawberry on top. 7 mins walk from Namba Station.
STRAWBERRY MANIA,DOTONBORI
1-3-17 DOTONBORI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-10PM
Teppanyaki & Okonomiyaki
7 mins walk from Gyozaoh! is Okonomiyaki chain restaurant branch Chibo’s Dotombori branch. It is also 3 mins walk from Namba Station.
Warning; this restaurant often has a line from around 5pm so it’s best to go for lunch or a super early dinner. In case you’re not aware, okonomiyaki is like a savoury omelette/pancake cooked on the hot plate. It’s a great dish to enjoy with kids as they can watch it being cooked and it’s also easy to ask for certain ingredients to not be added etc.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards and both floors of the restaurant are non-smoking.
In terms of budget, I would expect to pay between 1000-2000 yen per adult here for lunch or dinner.
This picture is from another Chibo restaurant branch – but the vibe is similar.
Read my tips here on how to order a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki in Japanese.
CHIBO, DOTOMBORI
A Yakitori Izakaya
Torikizoku is a chain of izakaya’s specializing in Yakitori. It’s on the 4th floor here. It’s a cheap and cheerful – yet reliable brand an is great for families. They welcome children here and it is a non-smoking restaurant. I recommend budgeting approx 2500 yen per adult to eat a full meal here. They accept most major credit cards. They accept reservations. See here for pictures of the yakitori full menu at Torikizoku stores. 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. This torikizoku branch is 3 minutes walk from Namba Station (take exit 10).
TORIKIZOKU, DOTONBORI
大阪市中央区道頓堀1-6-15 コムラード・ドウトンビル 3F
3RD FLOOR, COMRADE BUILDING, 1-6-15 DOTONBORI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 5PM-5AM. (It’s in the same building at Bikkuri Donkey)
See here for even more of my personal recommendations on where to eat in Osaka with kids.
Where to buy kitchenwares in Osaka?
Tokyo has Kappabashi Kitchentown for knives, kitchenwares and other trinkets to take home from Japan and Osaka’s version is Donguyasuji Arcade. This is also a great place to try some street food and also buy treasures such a cute chopsticks. It is 7 mins walk from Dotonbori or 2 mins walk from exit E9 of Namba Station.
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links – meaning that, if you book accommodation using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
If you like to see updates and what we are getting up to as it’s happening, please give me a follow on The Tokyo Chapter instagram here.
