Merlin Entertainments and the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan have unveiled plans to open a Legoland Discovery Centre (LDC) in Tempozan Market Place Mall in Osaka, Japan.

Legoland Discovery Centre Osaka will be Merlin's third attraction to open in Japan, and reflects the success of the company's existing LDC attraction in Tokyo, where Merlin also has a Madame Tussauds global celebrity wax attraction.

Merlin previously announced plans to build a major Legoland theme park resort in Nagoya, scheduled to open in 2017.

Commenting on the new development, Glenn Earlam, managing director of Merlin's Midway Attractions operating group, said: "The Legoland Discovery Centre concept has been a huge success across the globe – particularly as part of a family day out which may also include shopping and eating out together.

"Given the popularity of the LDC in Tokyo, which opened last year, we are confident people will also love the attraction in Osaka."