FAMILY FUN IN
OSAKA
Embrace movie magic at Universal Studios Japan, visit an ancient castle and indulge in sushi and sashimi in this underrated Asian city
It may not be as famous as Tokyo or Kyoto, but just a short train ride from these great cities, Osaka offers loads of fun experiences for families.
Embrace movie magic at Universal Studios Japan, visit an ancient castle and indulge in sushi and sashimi in this underrated Asian city
It may not be as famous as Tokyo or Kyoto, but just a short train ride from these great cities, Osaka offers loads of fun experiences for families.
Universal
Studios
Japan
While Hogwarts is hard to beat, the city is also home to a real castle. Osaka Castle was the biggest and best in Japan when it was built during the samurai era in the 16th century. While it was destroyed numerous times by fire and war, it was rebuilt in the same architectural style in 1931. Perched atop a stone formation and surrounded by moats to protect its occupants from attackers, it is at its most beautiful in spring, when it is framed by cherry blossoms.
OSAKA
CASTLE
Festivals
and events
Just a few kilometres west of Mui Ne on Bai Nai Hill, the ruins known as Po Sah Inu Towers have been compared to Cambodia’s famous Angkor Wat. Built by the Cham people in the 8th century, the relics are a legacy of the Kingdom of Champa, an ancient Indochinese culture that was once prominent throughout the region.
Mui Ne is also known for its red and white sand dunes — one of the few desert landscapes in Asia — which are a popular place to go sandboarding and quad biking. You can book tours to visit the dunes, as well as the pretty Fairy Stream, which winds its way through the impressive clay and limestone rock formations in an area known as the Red Canyon. Take your shoes off and wade through the ankle-deep water until you reach the small waterfall at the end, before returning and grabbing a drink and a snack from one of the vendors who have set up shop there.
Image: Dotonbori Canal in Osaka
Minami and Dotonbori
entertainment
districts
Where to stay
in Osaka
Images: Bunk beds in a family room, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, Guan Bua Thai, A Superior Family room, Embassy of Crab, Dine on the deck at Crudo
Located in the thick of the action in the city’s most popular district, Namba, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, opened in July 2023. The architecturally-designed 33-storey hotel has 515 spacious rooms and suites, including Superior, Deluxe, Club and Family rooms with bunk beds. The hotel is home to several family-friendly restaurants. Suan Bua offers home-style Thai cuisine in a setting inspired by Thai street stalls. It also offers an impressive international breakfast buffet each morning. You can also tuck into fresh seafood at Embassy of Crab on the second floor and admire the panoramic views of the city from rooftop smokehouse restaurant, Kunsei Kitchen. The hotel also has a fully-equipped gym and Japan’s first SPA Cenvaree, which combines traditional Thai techniques with Japanese hospitality.
In partnership with Centara Hotels and Resorts
WHEN TO GO
JUNE TO JULY
Summer (June to July) can be hot and humid in Osaka, so it's advisable to avoid this time of year if possible.
OCT TO NOV
Autumn (October/November) is the best time to visit. If you’re heading to a Japanese ski resort over winter, it’s also a great destination for a side trip.
MARCH TO MAY
Spring is another excellent time to visit. Cherry blossoms usually bloom in the last week of March and the first week of April.