JAN 1-3, 2026: WHAT’S OPEN IN OSAKA?

IF YOU ARE VISITING OSAKA OVER THE NEW YEAR PERIOD, THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT WILL BE OPEN JAN 1-3, 2026

JAN 1-3, 2025: WHAT’S OPEN IN OSAKA?

I don’t want you to get caught out (like I have) during the New Year period in Osaka (or any part of Japan actually.)
Many people think I’m exaggerating almost EVERYTHING is closed down (especially once you step out of the city.)
I wanted to use this post to suggest some Jan 1-3, 2026 options.  Especially for families who are looking for open options in Osaka.

This blog post contains some affiliate links. This means that I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using my link – at no additional charge to you. 

January 1-3 is the most “shut-down” you will ever see Japan be – with even some suburban convenience stores closing their doors 1-2 days.

If you are on holidays in Japan during this time, I highly recommend using this period of time to treat yourself to a ryokan or a hotel with beautiful baths and in-house restaurants. This is a great time to take a leaf out of the rest of Japan’s book and slow it all right down – experience Japan from your own special spot.

The early January break is actually a good thing as Japanese people rarely, rarely take holidays and this may be their only break.
Also, the city gets quiet as Japanese people travel to their hometowns and spend time with their family in the same way that we do, in Australia, at Christmas time.
I actually really, really love the quiet time.
With kids though… 2-3 days of hanging around at home makes me a little bit mental!

So here are the options for things that are still open in Osaka between January 1st and January 3rd (please note that some places have usual opening hours until January 5th.)

Here are my picks for some suggestions for things to do for those empty/ extra days in Osaka :
Okay, just a little tip if you’re ANYWHERE in Japan and need something to eat and basic supplies?  Your local combini (convenience store) is the answer today.
Here are some suggestions for food that you can get at a convenience store that isn’t just junk food in Japan.

Head to a major hotel chain if you want to eat out.
Your Hiltons and Hyatts etc.
They will be open too.  Their hours could be reduced though – and google doesn’t always keep up to date so best to check their website.

Don’t forget about department store dining options:
Grand Front Osaka
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2 & 3: Business as usual (the food court here is really really good for families – I speak about it more in my Osaka with kids post.)

Abeno Harukas
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2 : Food and some shops open
Jan 3: Almost all back to business as usual

Kintetsu Hoop
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Open from 10am (Starbucks on the 2nd floor open from 7am) Food & Shops open until 9pm
Jan 3: Business as usual

Keihan Department Store Moriguchi
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: 10am-7:30pm (Restaurants open 11am-9pm)
Jan 3: Business as usual

Lucua Osaka (Umeda)
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Shops open 10:30am-8:30pm & restaurants 11am-11pm (some complex entrances are closed)
Jan 3: Business as usual

Takashimaya Osaka
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Completely closed
Jan 3: Open 9:30am-8pm

Namba Parks Shopping Complex
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2: A large portion closed –
Jan 3: Mostly Business as Usual
This is a great place for food options, it has a big Toys r Us too (so has lots of baby food and nappies etc.) I write a lot about the Namba Parks in my Osaka with Kids article here.

See here for advice on where to buy nappies / diapers in Japan.

Daimaru Shinsaibashi
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Completely closed
Jan 3: 10am-8pm & restaurants open from 11am-10pm

Daimaru Umeda
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Completely closed
Jan 3: Some stores open (Business as usual from Jan 4)

Hankyu Umeda
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Completely closed
Jan 3: Open from 9:30am-7pm

Hanshin Umeda
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Completely closed
Jan 3: Basement B1 floor & 1-8 floors open 9:30am-7pm (Shake Shack is open until 8pm.)
Basement B2 & 9th floor open 10:30am-8pm. Starbucks on the B2 floor open from 9:30am.

If you are struggling for gluten free options remember that Dominos stores in Japan are open from 10:30am on Jan 1 . There is a wheat free Pizza rice bowl at Dominos Pizza in most stores (Please note that the pizzas are not gluten free but this rice bowl is.)  See the rice bowl on the Dominos Japan menu here. 

See here for How to Make a Reservation for Restaurants in Japan.

OSAKA AQUARIUM
I have a write up on Osaka Aquarium here. It is open during the new year period. Buy a ticket online for the Osaka aquarium using google translate here.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN 
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is open the whole time – in fact even longer hours than normal. Please be aware that their new year events are very popular and often sell out quickly.

Buy tickets to Universal Studios Japan here using my affiliate link (an affiliate link means that I will make a small commission if you make a purchase using my link – at no additional cost to you.) 

THE NEW DONKEY KONG COUNTRY SECTION: Opened Dec 11, 2025
Donkey Kong is still quite new and is still one of the most popular sections of the park. With kids, I wouldn’t make promises that you will get to see this new land BUT you may get to see more of the others as the crowds will be focused on this section (great news for Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter fans!) I’ve written more about Donkey Kong Country here. They way to be able to promise access Super Nintendo World and the Donkey Kong section – choosing an express pass (along with your general entry ticket) that lists these very sections.

UNIVERSAL WALK (THE RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS JUST OUTSIDE OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN)
If you are looking for lots of dining options in Osaka on January 1st – I recommend heading here (if will be busy though.)  Almost all restaurants and shops are open between 10am-10pm.
See here for the list of restaurants as Universal City Walk. 

Playcentre Asobi no Sekai, Grand Front Osaka
Jan 1 : Closed
Jan 2: Closed
Jan 3: Open but with more expensive holiday rates 10am-7pm

Games arcade and Sports Centre and Karaoke box centre ：Round 1 Sennichimae 
Jan 1-3: Open with special holiday rates

Kids Plaza Osaka (this is a giant playcentre meets children’s museum)
I’ve written in detail about kids plaza here. 
Jan 1 & 2: Closed
Jan 3: Open from 9:30am

Osaka Castle*
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2 & 3: Business as usual
*Please note that, if you pre-purchase Osaka Castle tickets, tickets are only valid for 30 days. 
Click here if you would like to book kimono rental and a photo shoot for the whole family at Osaka Castle and other nearby landmarks.

Osaka Castle Museum
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2 & 3: Business as usual from 9am

And just before or after the castle you can go to this playground (never closes.) It is just 10 minutes walk from the castle is Osaka Castle Playground Equipment Square ( known in Japanese as Kodomo Tenshukaku).  The highlight for your kids will be the giant roller slide!  ( Warning, this park gets quite busy from midday on weekends.   If you are going for the park and not the park and castle it is 1 minute walk from Morinomiya subway station or 2 minutes walk from JR Morinomiya Station.

Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka
Jan 1 & 2: Completely closed (Dec 29-31, as well.)
Jan 3: Open as usual (closed again for maintenance Jan 6-9.)

Legoland Discovery Centre Osaka 
Open Jan 1-3: 10am-6pm

Places to eat out in Osaka with kids over the New Years Period *Best to ask your hotel to make a reservation asap”
Cosme Kitchen Adaptation 
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Completely closed
Jan 3: 9:30am-6pm

Chibo Okonomiyaki in Sennichimae or Dotombori
Jan 1-3: Open 11am-11pm

Bills Japan, Osaka (Australian restaurant)
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2&3: Business as usual

Syabu-yo Shinsaibashi (Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu)
Jan 31: Closes at 4pm
Jan 1-5: Open from 11am-9pm
This hot-pot style of eating is so much fun for families and just interactive with kids.  This restaurant Syabu-yo is a chain restaurant.  Diners choose the amount of time they would like to have unlimited meat brought to their table (usually 60 or 90 mins) and that price also includes access to a salad and vegetable buffet and ice-cream.  The instructions on how to make your meal at the table are here on the Syabu-Yo website but the staff will also help you.   My kids prefer sukiyaki to shabu-shabu as it is so sweet and more-ish. 
This style of restaurant is tricky if everyone has different dietary requirements (for example if one family member is vegetarian etc) as all the food is cooked in one pot. I guess you could get around this by booking two tables with two separate pots.   Sometimes they have pots like the one pictured below that has two sections. This is mostly so you can cook two different flavours but it could also work for a meat side and a veg side too, I guess.  To eat here I would budget for around 3000 yen per adult.   The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Syabu-Yo accept most major credit cards. 
If you like this restaurant – I’m pretty sure you will! Then you are in luck as you can always google your closest Syabu-Yo branch as they are all over Japan. 
They have free wifi.   It is best to make a reservation here but if you’re eating outside of traditional meal times you could also just try for a walk-in. 
The Shinsaibashi branch is 130 metres from Shinsaibashi Station.

SYABU-YO, Q PLAZA SHINSAIBASHI STORE
大阪市中央区心斎橋筋1-1-10 キュープラザ心斎橋 6F
6TH FLOOR, KYU PLAZA SHINSAIBASHI BUILDING

“Australian” Steak and Seafood Outback Steakhouse Umeda
Jan 1: Closed
Jan 2 onwards: Business as Usual.
Make a reservation online for Outback Steakhouse Umeda now here.
Hate to break the hearts of Americans that love the Outback Steakhouse – but it isn’t even a little bit “Australian” to me.  I am partial to a “bloomin’ onion” from here though. I really like it here – especially when dining with kids.  The portions are generous and it’s very kid friendly. They even have high chairs.  It is 10 mins walk from Umeda Station or 2 mins walk from Nishi-Umeda Station. They welcome children- they have a kids menu and space to store strollers while you dine.  Please note that a 10% service charge is added to your bill when you dine here.  They do accept most major credit cards. I recommend budgeting 2000 yen for an adult lunch meal and more like 4000 yen at dinner time. This restaurant is completely non-smoking. See the full Outback Steakhouse menu here.    You can make a reservation on the Outback Steakhouse website.  The bread rolls here are good – and also good to put in a ziplock bag to heat up in the morning for breakfast too (yes I’m THAT lady.)
If it’s your birthday, these guys can do a dessert with a candle, sing you happy birthday and do a commemorative photo. See all the Outback Steakhouse birthday details here. They also have two birthday cakes available for purchase.
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
大阪市北区堂島1-6-20 堂島アバンザ B1F
B1F, DOJIMA AVANZA, 1-6-20 DOJIMA, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 5PM-10PM (LAST ORDERS 9PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS 11:30AM-10PM


PANCAKES NEAR UMEDA STATION
Jan 1: Closed
Jan 2 onwards: Business as Usual
Eggs’n’Things is a Hawaiian restaurant built around the concept of “All Day Breakfast” (a relatively new idea for Japan.)  It is light and bright and there are several of these restaurants around Japan but this is branch my favourite – mainly because of the space and shorter lines.   This restaurant is well-known for the mountain of whipped cream on their sweet pancakes. YUM!   They also have savoury options and a kids menu (egg and hamburger steak plate or fruit and cream pancakes with a chocolate pen to decorate).  They have high chairs and the staff are very welcoming when it comes to families.
The Umeda Eggs N Things is actually a very very beautiful restaurant – it’s light and open and modern.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards and the entire restaurant is non-smoking.
Free colouring for kids too.
Some gluten free friends of mine have had luck eating here eating meat dishes but ordering rice instead of bread (and also showing a bilingual card explaining that they are gluten free.) However, please note that there is no official gluten free menu. 

EGGS’N’THINGS UMEDA CHAYAMACHI
大阪市北区茶屋町1-45


OKONOMIYAKI NEAR UMEDA STATION
Jan 1: Closed
Jan 2 onwards: Business as Usual
Within the Hankyu 32 Bangai Building, is an okonomiyaki restaurant called Tsuruhashi Fugetsu.  You cook your own okonomiyaki on a hot plate at your table (don’t worry – the staff will help you if you don’t know what to do.) You can also make yakisoba.  This is a great option for kids as they can get involved AND they can decide exactly which ingredients go in their meal. See my tips here on how to order a vegetarian okonomiyaki.  You can ask your hotel to make a reservation for you or you can just try for a walk-in.  The restaurant seats 122 people so, hopefully, you won’t wait long if you just line up.  This restaurant is non-smoking.  They accept most major credit cards.   See the full Tsuruhashi Fugetsu menu in English here.   There is a really nice view of Osaka from this restaurant.  They have space for you to enter with a stroller. 
This restaurant is 3 mins walk from Umeda Station or 10 mins walk from JR Osaka Station. 

TSURUHASHI FUGETSU, HANKYU 32 BANGAI BUILDING
大阪市北区角田町8-47 阪急グランドビル 29F
29TH FLOOR, HANKYU GRAND BUILDING, 8-47  KAKUTA-CHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-11PM
There is a baby change table in the toilets on this floor

See here for How to Make a Reservation for Restaurants in Japan.

BREAKFAST IN NAMBA WITH KIDS
A bakery/cafe just 5 mins walk from Namba Station

This cafe is called West Wood Bakers.
Jan 1: Closed
Jan 2 – 5: Open for shorter hours – 9am-4pm.
Please note that this is a walk-in only restaurant so there will most likely be a line – as the restaurant only seats 18 people. I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per adult to dine here.
On the weekend, this bakery also sells donuts. They accept most major credit cards. They have an English menu. They have space for strollers.

WEST WOOD BAKERS
大阪市西区南堀江1-16-9
1-16-9 MINAMI-HORIE, NISHI-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 9AM-4PM

Kid friendly Izakaya Sugidama in Honmachi
Jan 1: Closed
Jan 2 & 3: Open 11:30am-9pm.
Sugidama is completely non-smoking (if you’ve been in Japan for a hot minute, you will know that this is not an easy things to find.). They also are fine for kids to come along.
This is NOT a touristy spot and I mean that in the best way.  This is where you will find people dining after work or catching up with a friend. They do have an English menu but don’t be afraid to copy what someone next to you has ordered if it looks amazing (it might be a special not on the ready-made English menu.)  If you’d like to say “Please give me the same” (while pointing) say 同じものください onaji mono kudasai.
Remember that at izakayas at dinner time you order lots of small dishes that are designed to be shared (it would be quite weird to order one dish per person.)
While at lunchtime you choose a “lunch set” (there are several to choose from here) per person and it comes out kind of in a big bento style way. At lunch, I recommend getting the sushi & tempura set  – it also comes with a soup.
For lunch here, I would budget 2000 yen per adult and approximately 3000 yen per adult at dinner time.
Firstly, there are 3 types of seating here : counter seating, table seating and horigotatsu seating (horigotatsu is where it looks like you’re sitting on the floor but actually the part where your legs go is dug out so you are still in a seated position. Horigotatsu will mean you shoes will need to come off.)
I recommend getting the sashimi of the day and the seasonal vegetable tempura (it comes with two types of salt for dipping and I love this so much more than a tempura sauce).     For those with kids who aren’t in a “new food” type of mood – they also have fries.
Sugidama is 2 mins walk from Honmachi Station and 12 mins walk from Shinsaibashi Station.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards.  It is possible to make reservations here – ask your hotel to call for you.

SUGIDAMA, HONMACHI
大阪市中央区南本町3-6-1竹宏本町ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR,  3-6-1 MINAMI-HONMACHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-2:30PM (LAST ORDER AT 2PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS FOR DINNER 5PM-11PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
OPEN SATURDAYS FOR DINNER: 4PM-11PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
OPEN SUNDAYS FOR DINNER 4PM-10PM (LAST ORDER AT 9;30PM)

Okonomiyaki & Teppanyaki restaurant just 5 mins walk from Namba Station.
Jan 1 onwards: Business as usual.
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

A Family-Friendly Italian Fusion restaurant right on the river!- just 3 mins walk from Namba Station
Jan 1: Closed
Jan 2 onwards: Business as usual.
This is a great family-friendly restaurant called Moulin.
The cuisine is Italian fusion and, when the weather is right, you can sit on the terrace right by the river.
They have space to store strollers while you dine. They welcome children here.
I recommend budgeting for approx 1000 yen per adult at lunchtime and more like 3500 yen at dinner. Ask your Mimaru front desk to make a reservation for you or you can try for a walk-in.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards.　See pictures of the breakfast menu at Moulin here. See the full dinner menu at Moulin here.

MOULIN, NAMBA
大阪市西区南堀江1-5-26 キャナルテラス １Ｆ
GROUND FLOOR, CANAL TERRACE, 1-5-26 MINAMI-HORIE, NAMBA, NISHI-KU, OSAKA


Incredible Indian food – just 3 mins walk from Shinsaibashi Station.
Jan 1 & 2: Closed
Jan 3: Business as usual
If you know me or have been following me for a while, you know that I lived in Kobe for 7 years. And one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever eaten at is called Aarti in Kobe. Aarti also have a branch in Osaka!
Highly highly recommend!　I recommend budgeting 1000 yen for lunch and more like 3000 yen per adult at dinner time. They do accept reservations but you can also just try for a walk-in (the restaurant does seat 46 people.) It is within the Big Step Complex so take the elevator or escalators up to the 3rd floor. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They have a vegetarian menu. They also have a kids menu ( a small sweet/not spicy butter chicken curry, a small naan, rice, salad and a juice.) See menu options at Aarti here. If you are coming here from Shinsaibashi Station, take Exit 7 and walk for 3 mins. If coming from Yotsubashi Station, take Exit 5 and walk for 3 mins.

KOBE AARTI AMERICA-MURA AT BIG STEP
大阪市中央区西心斎橋1-6-14 3F
3F 1-6-14 NISHI-SHINSAIBASHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
Although it’s not a food recommendation, on the bottom floor of the Big Step building (same building as Aarti) is a 390 yen store that we love to frequent called Thank you Mart (It’s called “Thank you Mart” as “Thank” sounds like “san” which means 3 in Japanese. And Kyu in Japanese is 9. So “Thank – Kyu” Mart = 390 Mart ) This store is closed Jan 1 but is business as usual from Jan 2, 2026.
As you can imagine, all items are 390 yen. Open 11am-8pm. They sell some stationery, toys and little items like face towels and keys rings and socks etc. Lots of pop culture merch here

A Casual Italian Restaurant just 2 mins walk from Umeda Station
Jan 1 & 2: Open 11am-10pm
Jan 3 onwards: Business as Usual
Pizzeria Porchetta is casual (diner/coffee house vibes) and so family friendly.  It is located inside Yodobashi Umeda on the 8th floor. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards.  For adults, I would budget approximately 2000 yen for a meal here.   They do accept reservations and walk-ins.  The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Although the website is in Japanese, you can see pictures of all of their pasta and pizza options here (use google translate for the descriptions too.). All pizza and pasta dishes are between 900-1500 yen.   Pizzeria Porchetta also serve fries.
PIZZERIA PORCHETTA, UMEDA LINKS
大阪市北区大深町1-1 LINKS 梅田8F
8TH FLOOR, LINKS UMEDA, 1-1 OFUKACHO, KITA-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 11AM-11PM  
Although it’s not a food recommendation, in the same complex (Umeda Links) as Pizza Porchetta is a store that we love to frequent called Thank you Mart (It’s called “Thank you Mart” as “Thank” sounds like “san” which means 3 in Japanese. And Kyu in Japanese is 9. So “Thank – Kyu” Mart = 390 Mart )
As you can imagine, all items are 390 yen.IT IS OPEN FROM 10AM-8PM ON JAN 1 & 2, 2026.
They sell some stationery, toys and little items like face towels and keys rings and socks etc. Lots of pop culture merch here.