Ever wondered what Osaka was like in the Edo period? Visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living near Tenjinsujibashi Station and find out for yourself! The interactive exhibits and cultural events make this an especially great rainy day option for families.
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living - image © Florentyna Leow
Going to museums can be a hit or miss experience, especially if the exhibits consist only of text-heavy captions and staid object displays devoid of context. Luckily, a visit to the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is anything but boring. It’s a great little museum that makes learning about the city’s history and development a tremendously fun experience.
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living - image © Florentyna Leow
While it’s nowhere near the scale of the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku, conceptually speaking, it’s not so dissimilar. On entering, you’ll get to explore a beautifully-recreated section of Osaka’s late Edo period townscape. There’s an old kimono shop, a toy shop, and a bathhouse. It’s the attention to detail that’s particularly charming here: a cat on one of the roofs, lights that dim and brighten to signify the passing of time, and even the sound of rain to mimic inclement weather in town.
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living - image © Florentyna Leow
It’s not all about the late Edo period, though - there are also displays on Meiji, Taisho, and Showa period Osaka, which provide great insights into how the city evolved throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Additionally, the museum also hosts cultural events from time to time. These events change with the seasons: you might have rakugo (comic storytelling) events, musical performances, and even craft workshops for visitors.
In a bid to cater to tourists, they’ve also begun offering kimono rental services. It might be a little cheesy, but it’s fun for most people to take photographs of themselves in traditional dress on the ‘streets’ of Edo period Osaka.
English name:
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Japanese name:
大阪くらしの今昔館
English address:
8F Sumai Joho Center bldg., 6-4-20 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, 530-0041
Japanese address:
〒530-0041 大阪市北区天神橋6-4-20 住まい情報センタービル8F
Opening hours:
10am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Closed Tuesday
Admission:
Adults: 600
College and high school students: 300
Nearest Transport:
Subway and Train: Directly connected to exit 3 of Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi and Sakaisuji Lines, and Hankyu Senri Line.
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Osaka Museum of Housing and Living on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
+81-6-6242-1170
Website:
Official website (Japanese, click English at top of screen for machine translation)
Near To Here:
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is located in Osaka's Kita and Umeda district. See our complete list of things to do in the Kita and Umeda district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- Get a prepaid Icoca card to make travelling around Osaka easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help