museums, Osaka

Back in Toronto where I grew up, is the Ontario Science Centre, globally recognized as perhaps the finest (and first!) facility of its kind in the world.
As a kid, I was constantly fascinated by the hands-on approach to learning, as the exhibits offered fun & information at the same time.
It helped that the founder of the centre was a friend of my grandparents, so my brother & I occasionally got in free (!)
I don't believe that learning ever ends. There's always something new to discover, and it can't hurt to refresh yourself on the basics once in a while... true, if you're a rocket scientist, it might be somewhat boring...
I therefore have a fondness for science museums in general, and 'hands-on' places in particular, and headed out one day for Osaka's entry - opened in october 1989, the hall contains 230 exhibits, the world's largest domed planetarium screen, and the world's largest image system, the OMNIMAX.

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The Osaka Museum of History is attached to the NHK building. It houses many ancient artifacts excavated from areas throughout Osaka Prefecture. There are some great examples of haniwa (ceramic objects placed around kofun/burial mounds), as well as paintings, tools, scrolls, and other items. It's a nice museum and there is a great view of Osaka Castle from the stairwell. You can walk over to the NHK building to see if they are filming anything or just look around.

The museum always has special exhibits, so check the website to see what those will be when you arrive.

The Science Museum is a large interactive museum where you can learn about the world and how certain phenomena occur. It's a great place for those traveling with children, because much of the museum is child-focused. Although the exhibits are in Japanese, instructions are generally easy to figure out and kids will certainly have fun, regardless of whether they know what the displays are supposed to teach them.

They also have an Omnimax theater and do science demonstrations.Entrance is 400 yen, with additional costs for Omnimax theater shows.

The National Museum of Art is a world-class art museum with exhibits from both Japan and abroad. I went here when they were featuring modern Chinese artwork, which was spectacular! Because they change exhibits all the time, it is best to visit their website if you wish to know what will be featured when you visit. (the website I've listed is in English)

Entrance is 420 yen but may be more depending on special exhibits.

Peace Osaka is a museum dedicated to promoting peace through exhibits of war, namely WWII. It features a lot of information about Osaka city in WWII, particularly the bombings of Osaka, for locals and others who are interested. The main feature however, is the displays and videos about Japanese agression in China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. While the Japanese are often criticized for downplaying their own role in WWII, this museum has some graphic displays and the information does not glaze over anything. You can watch the videos in English. The museum also features information and some artifacts from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, ending with images from important historic events and people worldwide.

It is interesting to see a museum that is meant to showcase the negative things that its own nation did during war. I have not heard of any in the United States.

Entrance is 250 yen.

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Japanese: 大阪 市立 科学館 (Osaka Shiritsu Kagakukan)

Each Exhibition Hall has hands-on display to "watch, touch and play" for fun learning of the wonders of science. Even if you don't understand any Japanese there is plenty to see and play, great for families with children.

Museum Hours: 9:30-16:45. Last admission 45 minutes before closing. Closed on Mondays (except for National Holidays). The Museum opens on national holidays.

Admission: Museum - Adults 400 Yen, High School and University Students 300 Yen; Planetarium - Adults 600 Yen, Students 450 Yen, Junior High School 300 Yen; Omnimax Dome Cinema - Adults 600 Yen, Students 450 Yen, Junior High School 300 Yen.

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Japanese: 国立 国際 美術館 (Kokuritsu Kokusai Bijutsukan)

A stunning sculpture-like building by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli made of titanium coated steel tubes and glass provides entrance to the museum, that due to constraints imposed by the site had to be built with its main facilities and exhibition rooms entirely underground.
It was opened to the public on 3 November 2004.

Permanent collections feature paintings of early 20th century and post-war modern art in America, Europe and Japan.

Museum Hours: 10:00-17:00, open until 19:00 on Fridays. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Mondays (Tuesdays when Monday falls on a national holiday). The Museum may also be temporarily closed on other days and to change exhibits.

Admission: Museum Collection - Adults 420 Yen, Students 130 Yen. Children under 18, Senior citizens over 65, Disabled people with one attendant admission is free. Admission may vary for special exhibitions.

Japanese: 国立 民族学 博物館 (Kokuritsu Minzokugaku Hakubutsukan)

The museum introduces ethnic cultures from around the world by displaying various items from everyday life of different societies. Nine regional exhibitions, as well as various thematic exhibitions such as Music are on permanent display in order to facilitate understanding of peoples with different cultural backgrounds living together in the modern world.

The museum was founded in 1974 and opened to the public in 1977. It is a comprehensive Research Museum with about 60 academic researchers and hosts an extensive collection of about 255,000 artefacts of which are 12,000 items on display in the regular exhibitions. The current building was designed by Japan's renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa in 1996.

Museum Hours: 10:00-17:00. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Wednesdays (Thursdays when Wednesday falls on a national holiday).

Admission: Adults 420 Yen, Students 250 Yen, Children over 6 years 110 Yen. Admission may vary for special exhibitions.