Exploring Osaka's Museums
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ExploringExploring Osaka’sOsaka’s MuseumsMuseums DiscoverDiscover arts,arts, culture,culture, historyhistory andand innovationinnovation inin Japan’sJapan’s mostmost enigmaticenigmatic citycity 『令和2年度『令和2年度 文化庁 文化庁 地域と共働した博物館創造活動支援事業』 地域と共働した博物館創造活動支援事業』 SupportedSupported by by the the Agency Agency for for Cultural Cultural A A airs, airs, Government Government of of Japan Japan in in fi fiscal scal year year 2020 2020 Introduction ContentsContents Osaka may be known Introduction .......................................................... 2 as the “eat ‘til you drop,” entertainment capital of Maps ........................................................................ 4 Japan, but it is also home to Before you go ........................................................ 5 world-class museums and The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka ...... 6 cultural venues that make a Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts ........................ 8 memorable day out for all Osaka Museum of History ................................ 10 the family. Osaka Museum of Natural History ................. 12 he term “second city” is frequently applied to a na- Osaka Science Museum .................................... 14 tion’s second-largest metropolitan area. But in the Did you know? ................................................... 16 Tcase of Osaka, residents may not settle for being a mere “second” after Tokyo, proud as they are of their dis- tinctive history and heritage. Just for starters, Osaka is some About Administrative Agency for 1,000 years older than Tokyo, the mysteries of its 7th-century Osaka City Museums ......................................... 18 imperial palace still being unearthed. And while Tokyo (then called Edo), was the city of the Shogun and samurai warriors, who traditionally shunned the handling of money and were Published by The Administrative Agency for Osaka City inept in the ways of business, Osaka, on the other hand, was Above: A model at Osaka Museum of History Museums always the city of merchants, and as such prioritized good (p.10) shows how the ancient imperial Naniwa Editing, art direction ...................................................................CB, Ltd. food and good living. This can be seen in the joie de vivre Palace once looked. Archaeologists working out Above: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts (p.8) has one and straight-forward manner of the locals today. of the museum are still unravelling its mysteries. Words .............................................................................Edward J. Taylor of the most prestigious collections of East Asian art Photography ..............................................................Boon Cheng Lim in Japan. This celadon water-dropper with an inlaid What’s more, thanks to the patronage of Osaka’s wealthy vine pattern from the Korea Gallery dates to the merchants over centuries, the arts have been able to flourish Cover image: Shiro-Kujaku (White peacocks) [detail], by Goryeo Dynasty (late 12th-13th century). here. The city’s prosperous families, such as the Sumitomo Ishizaki Koyo, 1922. From the collection of Nakanoshima Below left: Two figurines of sumo wrestlers in and the Ataka, used their fortunes to purchase exquisite Museum of Art, Osaka. Kakiemon-style Arita ware from the Japanese island collections, which even today are considered amongst the of Kyushu, dating to the 1680s. From the Museum of © Administrative Agency for Osaka City Museums Oriental Ceramics, Osaka. world’s finest. First published March, 2021 Left: Osaka Science An international port city, Osaka has also been a hub for Museum (p. 14) brings the exchange of ideas, shaped by its strong ties to the Asian the fundamentals of continent over generations. With several prestigious univer- physics to life through stimulating, hands- sities, it is also a seat for learning and cutting-edge research, on exhibits. particularly in the sciences. Such an environment has undeniably helped Osaka be- come a premier cultural destination, its museums treasure Key to icons troves that have something to oer everyone—and with low Address Disabled Access rates of admission, you are guaranteed even greater value from your visit! (Be sure to check our advice on travel pass- Tel/Fax Baby changing facilities es too.) Hours Cafeteria Whether you are looking to gain a deeper understanding Closed Kid Friendly of Japan, or searching for activities that will keep the kids Access Website endlessly entertained, the five museums featured here—and Ticketing SNS their environs—are fantastic places to start your adventure in Audio Guide Highlight this enigmatic city. 2 Exploring Osaka’s Museums Exploring Osaka’s Museums 3 Loft Maruzen & Theater Umeda Junkudo Post Office InterContinental Osaka Loop Line Osaka Club Nakazaki-cho Hotel Hub Azul Club Noon Cine Libre Noon+Cafe Umeda New Hankyu Hankyu Kitano Umeda Sky Umeda Sta. Hosp. Building Osaka Hotel Grand Front Kids Plaza German Osaka / Kinokuniya Osaka Consulate Knowledge Capital H&M Miyakojima-dori Westin 35F Hankyu OWL Osaka Hotel Yodobashi Camera Tourist Toho umeda Center Annex Hotel TRAD Ogimachi Shangrila Osaka Umekita Hep 5 Kinki YWCA Park Plaza Umeda Hep Navio Hankyu Craft Beer Osaka Station Grand Bldg Toho Cinemas Base City Cinema Lucua Umeda Hankyu Higashidori Arcade Hankyu Shin Midosuji JR Osaka Dept. Lucua 1100 Sonezaki Daimaru Higashi UmedaPolice H.Q. The Symphony Hall Osaka Umeda Club Station City Quattro Hanshin Expressway (Moriguchi Route) Visitors’ Information Hotel Hanshin Center Granvia Dept. 6F Hilton The Blarney Hanshin Umeda Sta. Umeda Stone Plaza West Hilton Burg7 Hotel Drop Inn Kansai Osaka Hotel Always Herbis Dai-4 3/4F Hearton Ent Tower Bldg. Osaka Dental Maru Records 3RD WORD Beer Hotel Bldg. Clinic Hotel Nishiumeda Monterey Melbourne TGI Fridays Coffee Maps Osaka Dai-1 Dai-2 Dai-3 Before you go Nishi Umeda 2F Herbis Bldg. Bldg. Bldg. Osaka Creamy The Ritz-Carlton Kita Shinchi Osaka Tanimachi Line Captain Kangaroo Midosuji Line Before you go… Route No.2 KITA SHINCHI FUKUSHIMAHotel Outback Fukushima Sta. Hanshin Hotel Mystays Steakhouse Nakanoshima Premier Dojima US Dojima Avanza Consulate Hotel Elsereine Hanshin Main Line JR Tozai Line Osaka ACCJ Fukushima Sta. Ana Crowne NISHI TENMA Yotsubashi Line Kansai Plaza NTT DOJIMA H Data anshin Expressway (Loop Route) Museum of Shin-Fukushima Sta. Oriental Ceramics, Dojima River Nakanoshima Dori Osaka Forum Oebashi Conrad Bank of Library COVID-19 Accessibility Travel Passes & ABC Hall Watanabebashi Osaka Festival Japan City Hall Hall Osaka City Measures to prevent the spread of All the museums featured in this Discounts Keihan-Nakanoshima Line Nakanoshima Festival Naniwabashi Dojima River Tower West Public Hall Tosabori River COVID-19 are in place in museums, booklet have wheelchair access, with A number of travel passes are avail- Mitsui Garden GARB Weeks Hotel with a minimum requirement to wear wheelchairs also available to borrow able to help you make the most of The National Yodoyabashi Mitsui Brooklyn Roasting a face mask, use the alcohol hand gel at some venues. Please check in ad- Museum of Art, APA Hotel Higobashi Sumitomo Company Kitahama your trip to Osaka. The pass that of- Osaka Bank Tenmabashi provided, and maintain distance from vance for any special provisions. Osaka Rihga fers the most benefi ts for those who Science Place other visitors. Some will also ask to wish to visit the museums featured Kitahama Museum HigobashiMinami-Morimachi Beer Belly keep conversation to a minimum. NAKANOSHIMA KITAHAMA Keihan Mall in this booklet is the Osaka Amazing Tozai Line Osaka Tenmangu Nakanoshima Sta. Pass, available to purchase for 1 or 2 Rihga Royal Kyobashi Osaka Chakai Mint Taiko-en Kyobashi Hotel Museum days from any manned station on the APA Villa Nii Fine Arts Osaka Osakajo- Osaka International kitazume Hotel AEON Kyobashi Osaka Metro, as well as a number of YMCA Temmangu Shrine Convention Center Daiwa Roynet KYOBASHI (Grand Cube tourist information o ces and hotels Osaka Business Park Hotel KitahamaHotel Monterey Osaka) Museum of La Souer OsakaElmers Sumitomo Oriental Ceramics Green Cafe Shigino in the city. Hosp. TENMAYotsubashisuji Midosuji EDOBORI Hotel New Otani This pass o ers free admission to Maekawa Osaka Tosabori Dori Subway Tanimachi Line Keihan Main Line Law Firm Izumi Hall some 49 venues around Osaka with Tenmabashi Tennoji Kitahama Craft BeerTennoji Osaka Castle discounted admission at an addition- Zepp Ward Office Osaka-jo Namba TAKAMURA Base Garden Hall al 28 venues as of early 2021. The Wine & Coffee Roasters Momodani Museum Holidays Tickets Yuhigaoka Hotel OSTEC 1-day pass (¥2,800) covers all Osaka Amidaikesuji Sakaisuji Line Shitennoji-mae SHITENNOJIMystays Exibition Hall Tenmabashi Naniwasuji Sakaisuji Osaka-jo Koen Metro and City Bus services as well Honmachi Osaka Prefectural Museum schedules are subject to Museum tickets for permanent collec- Shitennoji Government Office Osaka as several of the regional train lines Ebisucho Castle change due to COVID-19, so please tion galleries and special exhibitions Daikokucho Imamiya Honbo Hanshin Express Route 1 Daiichi Group Ebisu Shrine MyDome including the Nankai airport line, Hanshin Expressway Osaka check before you go. Museums in are usually payable separately, with Hotel Osaka Museum Shitennoji Mystays Yamamoto TheKitamido Lutheran Japan tend to be closed on Mondays, discounts available for high school whereas the 2-day (¥3,600) pass only Subway Sakaisuji Line Otemae Noh Theater Hotel of History Osaka Imamiyaebisu