Osaka Museum of History

Really enjoyed my time at the museum! It was an impromptu plan but I’m so glad I went. Some really interesting exhibits to learn about Japan’s history. I think the entire museum will take you about 60-90 mins to cover if you visit all exhibits.

Beautiful museum just right across Osaka Castle. If you're into history, this museum will make you happy. There are multiple floors to visit each covering different era of Osaka history.

Who could've thought it was possible to fill 4 floors for a local history museum, but Osaka has done it. The exhibits are of the highest calibre, especially the models of the Naniwa Period. Although the life sized models on all the floors are excellent. There's a currently a special exhibition of Japanese sword making, which I highly recommend. Although most of it is about traditional Japanese swords, there's a special section. This special section is a collaboration between sword-smiths and modern manga artists to create some fanciful swords. It's also worth taking the escalators down and you can get birds eye view of Osaka Castle and the castle park. Well worth a visit.

Great place to learn more about Osaka and its history! I didn’t plan to come here on the 28th of March—just happened to walk in randomly (I forgot how much the entrance fee was). There’s a lot of cool information and exhibitions. I love how there are plenty of chairs and sofas on every floor, so you don’t have to worry if you’re tired from walking elsewhere. You won’t end up walking nonstop in this museum—there’s enough space to rest (mostly in front of the toilets), and it’s super comfy and clean!

Nicely curated museum just beside Osaka Castle. As soon as we got off the train, the NHK Building was there and we decided to check out the museum first before exploring the castle. We learned a lot about Osaka - its history and how it became the city it is today. The regular museum exhibit starts at the 10th floor, each floor showcases Osaka's history from geological formations, to the different parts of history - shogunate, industrial transformation etc. While going down to the other floors, you can see the beautiful views of the city facing the port area and a great view of the Osaka Castle. We spent about 2.5hrs here going through every display and reading most of the descriptions. There's an area for kids (and adults too) where they can play with puzzles, look at microscopes, play on a 90s model PC, dig some fossils and more.

It’s a good museum. But not the best. The exhibitions themselves are a little bit dated and the English translations aren’t extensive but they are there. I’d recommend bringing a translation app. It was interesting to learn about how Osaka has developed over time but I did notice the complete lack of history on the WW2 period. This I didn’t like, it is important to acknowledge this and Japans role in this, along with every other country too. The special exhibition on Japanese swords was very cool but there is no English at all. Worth a visit if you are looking to kill time but definitely not a must visit

Well organized museum, separated into unique time periods by floor. Very interesting exhibits and we learned quite a lot about Osaka's history.

I highly recommend visiting the Osaka Museum of History after your trip to Osaka Castle — the experience is thoughtfully connected. As you descend the long escalator from the upper levels of the museum, you're greeted with a sweeping and unique view of Osaka Castle from a different angle. It’s a truly special moment that visually links the modern museum space with the rich historical legacy of the city. I visited the permanent exhibition, which offers a remarkably detailed and immersive journey through Osaka’s evolution — from ancient times through to the early 20th century. The exhibition spans several floors and is beautifully curated, beginning with the ancient Naniwa Palace era and guiding visitors through the city’s transformation across the centuries. One of the highlights for me was the 7th floor, where you’ll find life-size reconstructions of historical settings — including Edo-period streets and early Showa-era homes. These recreations are not only visually impressive, but they allow you to step into the daily lives of people from those times. There are also fascinating artifacts, scale models, and interactive displays that explain the city’s social, political, and economic developments. Though the permanent exhibits don’t specifically extend into the 1980s, they do provide an excellent foundation for understanding how Osaka became the vibrant metropolis it is today. It’s an educational and engaging museum that blends storytelling with technology in a way that keeps visitors of all ages interested. English explanations are available throughout, making it accessible for international travelers as well. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a culture lover, or just someone looking to better understand the roots of Osaka, this museum is a must-visit. It offers depth, insight, and an inspiring appreciation for how much the city has changed — and how much of its spirit has remained.

Great museum with many pieces in their collection. Their 1/20th scale minature models are top noch and I loved their diaorama to show some depth in some of their instalations. It was cool to see some of the old platforms from above where some of the ancient buildings used to be. The Osaka castle is cool, but I felt the Museum covered far more interesting things. When I was there they had "The Show", which wad some reproductions of the Shosoin Imperial treasures. While you're in the building you should also check out the NHK area and their exhibit that's near the history museum entrance.

Fantastic museum that I would rather spend time at than Osaka Castle down the road. Admission fee is really reasonable. The exhibits are varied in subject and time period in regards to the city. The models of the ancient city are beautifully made and detailed. Some of the displays have English and Chinese written, along with, of course, Japanese. There is a section of the museum where you can try on a kimono, though the line was fairly long for it.

Interesting museum which had a big focus on the history specifically of Osaka. It was well worth the admission and I enjoyed looking at exhibits, but very little had translations in English. I didn't know at the time, but they do offer audio guides with English. I missed out on those. Great view of the Osaka Castle from the upper floors of this stunning structure.

Well worth the admission price. If you cant read Japanese however, you'd be very well off to pay 200 yen to rent an audioguide which has at least forty tracks as far as I could see. The displays have japanese text and titles with only small English titles. Certain exhibits have a paragraph in English, Korean and Chinese. The displays are highly detailed miniatures as well as artifacts. There are many tv animations and short movies (in Japanese) explaining different aspects of Osaka's history but I'm not entirely sure what. There is also an interactive area. There is indeed a massive time jump. I was surprised to move from Naniwa to the next floor where I saw information about the Meiji restoration. 600 yen for adults (大人) 400 yen for university students (must show ID) +200 if it is a day with a show +200 for audioguide rental (highly recommended!) Closed on Tuesdays!

I have been to this museum many times. Hey...it is a museum, your purpose and reason for attending determines the experience you receive. If the exhibits, performances, displays or shows are not great you may come away with an "Eh, it was okay...but nothing to write home about." In contrast, an amazing exhibit or performance can have you thinking, "Wow this is the best museum on earth." However once we strip that away and actually take a look at THE MUSEUM itself...THE OSAKA MUSEUM OF HISTORY is not a bad spot at all. Easily accessible from the Osaka Subway line (Tanimachi Line / the purple line) and the Seattle's Best Coffee on the first floor is a welcome sight if you ned a snack or a beverage. The conference rooms on the fourth(4th) floor are great for a presentation or workshop and the staff and services offered, if you want to book a room or two, are solid. This place hosts art exhibitions, music events and talks of various varieties. And I would be remiss if I dod not note the museum's proximity to Osaka Castle (Park) which make it great for out of towners and tourists who want to take in the sights of the area. The OSAKA MUSEUM OF HISTORY...check it out.

This museum shows history or culture in Osaka. As a floor falls down, it approaches from the ancient times to the present age.　　On the tenth floor I saw human-size figures of ancient court people during the Nara period. Their hair-style was like twin tails, so cute. To tell the truth I have worn this uniform of court people once. When I lived in Himeji (Hyogo prefecture), I played a role in Suiko empress (an aunt of Prince Shotoku and the first female emperor in Japan) at a festival in Taishi-cho. The life style and ritual of court people was introduced in a large screen. I like this floor most of all, because the life of court people seemed to be mysterious. On the ninth floor you will enjoy commoners' vivid lives by georama. I supposed that Osaka people enjoyed shopping and watching theatrical plays in their daily lives. Modern times were also popular and prosperous. I found it from the exhibition that Osaka people are energetic, humane, and humorous. I was born in Osaka and still now lives in Osaka. I am proud of citizen of Osaka.

Website does not state that they are closed for the holidays from 28Dec2017 through 04Jan2018.