Osaka, Japan, is worth so much more than a day trip from Tokyo
Our family of four enjoys Osaka so much, we spent an entire month in the city that’s better known as “The Kitchen of Japan.” Here are 6 things we suggest you include on your Osaka with kids itinerary, along with 3 popular attractions that we skipped (and why).
Watch our Osaka family travel video
Cherry blossoms, cheesecake, museums, amazing food, and more abound in Osaka.
The city is easy to get around, comfy and safe – perfect for a family vacation.
Plus, you can easily jaunt to day trip destinations nearby, such as Nara or Kyoto.
We’ll break down the top things we did… as well as popular attractions that didn’t make the cut for us.
Why do we like Osaka so much?
The first time we visited Osaka was during our first visit to Japan in 2013. When people learned we were going to Osaka, they typically asked one question: Why are you going to Osaka?
Funny thing is, that’s what people in Japan would ask us too.
Our initial interest in Osaka came straight from an episode of the late Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservation series. The workaday, laidback, food-loving, more energetic, business-focused, and outgoing nature of Osaka appealed to us.
And on that first visit, we enjoyed every moment in Osaka.
Our second visit to Osaka was in 2023. We stayed there for a month, exploring the city, savoring the cherry blossoms, and sampling everything from takoyaki to cheesecake. As Bourdain used to say, we left “hungry for more.”
Osaka continues to be among our favorite places in Japan, though Kumamoto is currently a close second. We find the city easy to get around, and it’s full of everyday simple food that we can enjoy as a family.
