20 Museums in Osaka worth your time

See Japanese folk crafts, including pottery by master artisans, in a building from the 1970 World Expo.

What it is

• A museum focusing on Japanese folk crafts.
• Established as a pavilion for the 1970 Japan World Exposition.
• Opened on March 6, 1970.
• Reopened as the Osaka Japan Folk Crafts Museum in 1972.

What to see

• Approximately 6,000 items, including ceramics and textiles.
• Pottery by Shoji Hamada and Kanjiro Kawai.
• The original 1970 World Expo building.
• Adjacent Japanese Garden and National Museum of Ethnology.

When to go

• Special exhibitions are held annually in spring.
• Special exhibitions are held annually in autumn.

Getting there

• Located in Expo Commemoration Park in Suita City, Osaka.

Official site

www.mingeikan-osaka.or.jp

Read more about Japan Folk Crafts Museum, Osaka

Explore Suita's history and ancient artifacts at this city museum, including a unique 'touchable exhibition'.

What it is

• A city museum in Suita, Osaka Prefecture.
• Opened on November 15, 1992.
• Collects and exhibits archaeological, historical, and folk materials.
• Operates two historic residences: Former Nishio and Nakanishi Family.

What to see

• First exhibition room covers Suita's history.
• Second exhibition room recreates ancient kiln sites.
• Permanent 'touchable exhibition' since 2016.
• Excavated horse fittings from New Ashiya Kofun.
• Excavated mirror from Gotanjima Site.

When to go

• Six special exhibitions are held annually.

Getting there

• Located inside Shikinzam Park.

Address

大阪府吹田市岸部北4-10-1 Map

Official site

www2.suita.ed.jp

Read more about Suita City Museum

Explore Sennan's ancient past at this free museum, showcasing local archaeological finds.

What it is

• A complex facility centered around a museum.
• Formal name: Ancient History Museum and Sennan City Buried Cultural Properties Center.
• Established in 1997.
• Investigates, researches, stores, and exhibits buried cultural properties.

What to see

• Museum department and a buried cultural properties center department.
• Display of 100 items from the Kaieji Temple Ruins.
• A shop is available.

When to go

• Closed on Sundays and holidays.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Okadaura Station.
• 10-minute taxi ride from Rinku Town Station.

Read more about Kodaishi Museum

AICEL Shura Hall is a learning center displaying ancient artifacts, including important Haniwa.

What it is

• A lifelong learning center, opened in 1994.
• Formal name is Fujidera City Lifelong Learning Center.
• Its name 'Shura' refers to an ancient sled.

What to see

• Building exterior based on a boat-shaped Haniwa.
• Exhibits artifacts from the Kofun period.
• Largest and oldest water bird-shaped Haniwa is displayed.
• This water bird Haniwa is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Largest boat-shaped Haniwa is also on display.

Getting there

• An 8-minute walk from Fujidera Station.
• Adjacent to the Furuichi Kofun Group World Heritage Site.

Official site

www.city.fujiidera.lg.jp

Read more about AICEL Shura Hall

Explore Kansai University Museum for free to see archaeological finds, art, and cultural properties.

What it is

• A university museum in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Collects and exhibits archaeological, historical, and folklore materials.
• Also collects and exhibits fine arts and crafts.
• Opened in April 1994, originating from a 1952 archaeology lab.

What to see

• Reproduction exhibition room for Takamatsuzuka Tumulus murals.
• Motoyama Collection includes two Important Cultural Properties.
• Motoyama Collection includes twelve Important Art Objects.
• The museum building, Kanbunkan, was built in 1928.
• Kanbunkan is an Osaka Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.

Official site

www.kansai-u.ac.jp

Read more about Kansai University Museum

Japan's first open-air museum, preserving 11 historic farmhouses from the 17th to 19th centuries.

What it is

• Japan's first open-air museum, opened in 1956.
• Exhibits 11 farmhouses from the 17th to 19th centuries.
• Preserves traditional Japanese rural architecture.
• Located within Hattori Ryokuchi Park.

What to see

• Old Yamada Family Residence, an Important Cultural Property.
• Old Izumi Family Residence, an Important Cultural Property.
• Old Shiiba Family Residence, an Important Cultural Property.
• Gassho-zukuri from Hida Shirakawa, a Folk Cultural Property.
• Nagayamon from Kawachi Fuse, a Registered Cultural Property.
• Edo period Rice Granary from Dojima.

Official site

www.occh.or.jp

Read more about Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses

Free science museum in Osaka, showcasing Japanese technology and innovation.

What it is

• A science museum in Osaka, Japan.
• Opened in 1963.
• Located in the Osaka Science & Technology Center Building.
• Exhibition booths set up by participating companies.

What to see

• Exhibits on environmental technology and energy.
• Displays on urban development and construction technology.
• Exhibits covering life science and electronics.
• Features on biotechnology and new materials.

When to go

• Closed on Sundays, holidays, and New Year's.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Honmachi Station.

Official site

www.ostec.or.jp

Read more about Osaka Science & Technology Center Exhibition Hall

A literature museum in Osaka dedicated to Nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata, showcasing his life and works.

What it is

• A literature museum in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Honors and introduces the achievements of Yasunari Kawabata.
• Opened in May 1985.
• Attached to the Municipal Kaminakajo Youth Center.

What to see

• About 400 personal items are exhibited.
• A movable model of his childhood home is displayed.
• Panels and videos introduce his works and life.
• A gallery is attached to the museum.

When to go

• Special exhibitions are held every June.
• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Tuesday and the day after a holiday.

Official site

www.city.ibaraki.osaka.jp

Read more about Ibaraki Municipal Kawabata Literature Hall

Explore Chihayaakasaka's history and culture through archaeological finds and folk exhibits.

What it is

• A local history museum in Chihayaakasaka Village.
• Opened in 1986.
• Collects and exhibits historical, archaeological, and folk materials.

What to see

• Excavated items and historical materials on the first floor.
• Folk materials on the second floor.
• Pottery and bronze mirrors from Kofun tombs.
• Photo panels and excavated items from mountain castles.
• A model of Chihaya Castle.
• Komainu from Takebe Suijin Shrine.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Official site

www.vill.chihayaakasaka.osaka.jp

Read more about Chihayaakasaka Village Local Museum

Explore the home and works of Ryotaro Shiba, a renowned author, in a unique architectural setting.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to author Ryotaro Shiba.
• Established on his former home premises.
• Operated by the Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Foundation.
• Foundation established on November 1, 1996.

What to see

• Shiba's study, preserved as it was in his later years.
• A garden modeled after a coppice forest.
• Exhibition room designed by Tadao Ando.
• 20,000 books on 11-meter-high bookshelves.
• Handwritten manuscripts and personal belongings on display.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Kintetsu Yaenosato Station.

Address

〒577-0803　大阪府東大阪市下小阪3-11-18 Map

Official site

www.shibazaidan.or.jp

Read more about Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Museum

Explore Osaka University's academic heritage and history for free.

What it is

• Established April 1, 2002, by Osaka University.
• Manages and exhibits academic materials from the university.
• Last museum founded by a former imperial university.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition room, opened May 2004.
• Machikaneyama Shugakukan exhibition facility.
• Machikaneyama Shugakukan is a registered cultural property.
• Osaka University Hall houses a history exhibition room.
• Machikaneyama Shugakukan has a cafe and museum shop.

When to go

• Closed Sundays, holidays, and New Year holidays.

Official site

www.museum.osaka-u.ac.jp

Read more about Museum of Osaka University

Explore Takatsuki's Edo period history and feudal lord artifacts for free.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Stands on the site of Takatsuki Castle's Sannomaru.
• Introduces historical materials from the Edo period of Takatsuki.

What to see

• Permanent exhibitions of historical materials.
• Daily use items of successive Takatsuki feudal lords.
• The Yodogawa Sanjikkoku-bune Funauta song.
• A hands-on learning room.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Takatsuki-shi Station.
• 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto Line Takatsuki Station.

Address

569-0075 高槻市城内町１－７ Map

Official site

www.city.takatsuki.osaka.jp

Read more about Shiroato History Museum

Osaka's Entrepreneurial Museum celebrates local innovators, offering a unique look into the city's business history.

What it is

• A museum in Osaka City, Honmachi, Chuo-ku.
• Commemorates 120th anniversary of Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Focuses on entrepreneurs active in Osaka.

What to see

• Prologue Theater shows roots of Osaka entrepreneurship.
• Main exhibition displays 105 entrepreneurs.
• Main exhibition has panels and related items.
• Exhibition divided into three chronological blocks.
• Library stores company histories and biographies.

What to know

• Free audio guides are available in four languages.

Official site

www.kigyoka.jp

Read more about Entrepreneurial Museum of Challenge and Innovation

Discover instant ramen's history and create your own Cup Noodles at this free, interactive museum.

What it is

• A museum of instant ramen in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Commemorates Momofuku Ando, founder of Nissin Foods.
• Opened in 1999, managed by the Ando Foundation.
• Admission is free for all visitors.

What to see

• Reproduces Momofuku Ando's research hut.
• Displays instant ramen and Cup Noodles manufacturing history.
• My CupNoodles Factory for making original Cup Noodles.
• Chicken Ramen Factory for making ramen from scratch.

Getting there

• About a 5-minute walk from Ikeda Station.

Official site

www.nissin-noodles.com

Read more about CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

Learn about Sakai's knife-making heritage and traditional crafts at this museum.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Sakai's traditional knife industry.
• Its formal name is Sakai Hamono Traditional Industrial Hall.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition room displays knife history.
• Traditional industry exhibition room shows local crafts.
• Video introduction corner explains the process.
• Citizen's gallery is on the second floor.

When to go

• Check for cooking classes and knife clinic schedules.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Myokokuji-mae Station.

Official site

www.sakaihamono.or.jp

Read more about Sakai Knife Museum

A large children's museum in Sakai City with unique play areas and exhibits.

What it is

• A large children's hall in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Opened in June 1999 as Osaka Prefectural Large Children's Hall Big Bang.
• Transferred to Sakai City in March 2021 and reopened in June 2021.

What to see

• Exterior shaped like a metallic spaceship.
• First floor has a picture book area and a baby area.
• Newly installed trick art staircase with AR.
• Chotto Ban adventure playground is on the same site.

Getting there

• Near Izumigaoka Station on the Nankai Senboku Line.

Official site

www.bigbang-sakai.jp

Read more about Children's Museum Big Bang

Explore Osaka's land development history in a Tadao Ando-designed museum, with free admission.

What it is

• A museum in Osakasayama City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Dedicated to land development history.
• Opened on March 28, 2001.
• Designed by architect Tadao Ando.

What to see

• Building designed by Tadao Ando.
• Permanent exhibition room with seven zones.
• Displays of civil engineering heritage.
• Osakasayama City Local History Museum.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Osakasayama Station.

Official site

sayamaikehaku.osakasayama.osaka.jp

Read more about Osaka Prefectural Sayamaike Museum

Zenbei Land is an observatory and museum dedicated to a telescope maker, offering free astronomical viewing.

What it is

• An observatory and museum.
• Opened in 1992.
• Honors telescope maker Iwahashi Zenbei.

What to see

• A 6.5-meter astronomical observation dome.
• A 60-centimeter Newtonian-Cassegrain reflecting telescope.
• Two 10-centimeter refracting telescopes.
• Solar prominence and solar spectrum observation devices.
• Exhibits of Zenbei's telescopes and instruments.

When to go

• Nighttime astronomical observation meetings are held weekly.
• Daytime solar observations are possible.

Official site

www.city.kaizuka.lg.jp

Read more about Zenbei Land

Japan's first bicycle museum, reopened in 2022, showcases bicycle history and unique designs.

What it is

• Japan's first bicycle museum, founded by Shimano Cycle Development Center.
• Reopened on March 25, 2022, with expanded exhibition space.
• Formerly known as Bicycle Museum Cycle Center.

What to see

• Bicycles from the oldest to unique designs.
• Exhibition spaces on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th floors.
• A multimedia library for research.
• Bicycle Plaza, also managed by the museum.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station.
• Adjacent to Daisen Park.

Official site

www.bikemuse.jp

Read more about Shimano Bicycle Museum

This former museum, housed in a historic building, offers a glimpse into Osaka's past.

What it is

• Former Osaka City Museum, opened in 1960.
• Utilized the former 4th Division Headquarters building.
• Building completed in 1931, funded by citizen donations.
• Closed in 2001, reopened as MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO in 2017.

What to see

• Historic headquarters building, survived air raids.
• Building used by GHQ after the war.
• Housed Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters.
• Museum collected 70,000 historical materials.

Getting there

• Located in Osaka Castle Park.

Read more about Osaka City Museum