The 15 best museums in Osaka

What is it? One of the world’s largest museums of ethnology, located in the sprawling Expo ’70 Memorial Park just outside the city. It’s huge: 12,000-plus items shining a light on societies and cultures around the world, and that’s just the exhibits on display. Nothing is too obscure: think exquisitely carved funeral masks, Chinese lanterns, Amish quilts and Persian lutes. Musical instruments are surprisingly well represented.

Why go? For a fantastic crash course on the world’s cultural diversity – or, at the very least, the museum provides incredible travel inspiration. Plus, bonus selfies with Taro Okamoto’s iconic ‘Tower of the Sun’ sculpture in the park outside. There are ample explanations in English, and multi-language digital audio-visual guides are available free of charge. 

What is it? Architecturally one of the most interesting museums in Japan, the NMAO was designed by the late Argentine architect César Pelli. The avant-garde metal structure looks like an art installation in itself, whose sail-like formation is inspired by the movements of bamboo. The museum space proper sits largely underground and showcases one of the country’s largest collections of Japanese and international contemporary art, with most of the pieces from the 1950s onwards.

Who go? To see works by the likes of French conceptualist Christian Boltanski, Osaka-born installation artist Chiharu Shiota and figurative painter O Jun, showcased on a rotating basis at the Collection Exhibition.

What is it? Where else can you walk through 1,350 years of Osaka history in the same building? There’s much to recommend here: a full-sized recreation of the Naniwa Palace from the 7th century, complete with grand vermillion pillars; intricate scale models of copper refineries and 19th-century townscapes; a reconstructed kabuki theatre and historic bridge. The 7th floor is especially immersive, with its life-sized recreations of scenes from early 20th-century Osaka. The rich, experiential exhibits make up for the paucity of English-language explanations.

Why go? To walk through a reconstructed palace hallway and feel like royalty.

What is it? A museum inside Osaka Castle, with eight floors of displays dedicated to the castle’s history. Think all kinds of historical artefacts such as screen paintings, replicas of rooftop ornaments, and a scale model of the 16th-century castle town that the city used to be. Since the castle was occupied by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the first unifiers of Japan, much of the museum exhibits are dedicated to astonishing visitors with all his achievements. The seventh floor in particular has built-in wall monitors displaying some rather impressive holographic videos and images of key moments in his life.

Why go? For the extensive exhibits, and a close look at Hideyoshi’s shiny battle helmet. Stay for the grand view of Osaka from the observation deck and a stroll in the park afterwards. The permanent exhibits have English captions, and explanatory pamphlets and audio guides in English are available on the first floor.

What is it? A fun, quirky and interactive museum dedicated to instant noodles as well as its creator, Momofuku Ando. (Fun fact: he was born in Taiwan.) Here you’ll learn about the history of the convenience store and supermarket staple, see a replica of the shed where ‘chicken noodles’ were invented, and walk through a photogenic tunnel lined floor to ceiling with colourful ramen packets. The secret ingredient? Free admission.

Why go? To whip up your own original Cup Noodles at the museum workshop and take home the coolest souvenir going in Osaka. Why wouldn’t you?

What is it? The newest museum on the ‘art island’ of Nakanoshima, NAKKA holds one of Japan's most extensive and diverse collections of art, totalling around 6,000 pieces and counting. The museum’s primary focus is on modern and contemporary art related to Osaka and the surrounding Kansai region. This is supplemented by pieces from world-renowned names including Salvador Dalí, René Magritte and Jean-Michel Basquiat, as well as an impressive line-up of works in the fields of graphic and furniture design.

Why go? Besides the collection, to see the towering sculptures around and inside the jet-black, cube-like building. The cheeky ‘Ship’s Cat (Muse)’ by Kenji Yanabo stands guard at the doorsteps, while the same artist’s ‘Giant Torayan’ dominates the interior, its height stretching across the museum’s top two floors.

What is it? Only the birthplace of one of Japan’s most revered whiskies – no big deal. The distillery is home to the Yamazaki Whisky Museum, which explores the history of whisky-making in Japan. For a deeper dive, book a tour to see the entire process from start to finish. Tours are conducted in Japanese, but English-language audio guides are available. Illuminating even if you don’t like whisky, and well worth the day trip out of Osaka. The museum is located a 15-minute walk from Yamazaki Station, which is in turn a 30-minute train ride from Osaka Station.

Why go? To learn how to appreciate whisky at the tasting counter in one of Japan’s top whisky-producing companies. And to see how they make the spirit, of course.

What is it? A beautifully serene space on the 27th floor of the Umeda Sky Building, dedicated entirely to the colourful work of veteran artist Koji Kinutani – from a show-stopping 3D video installation to mixed-media masterpieces and sculptures.

Why go? To hang out at the picturesque Tenku café, which boasts sprawling views of the city and a studio space where you might be lucky enough to spot the artist himself.

What is it? A gallery displaying vintage rides from all over the world in the historic setting of the Chikko Red Brick Warehouse. Exhibited across four rooms are classic cars from Japan, the US and Europe – think everything from T-Fords to Nissan Skylines. Gearheads with cash to spare may want to make a reservation to view the selection at GSquare next door, an exclusive auto dealership specialising in rare American and European vehicles.

Why go? To realise that they just don’t make cars as cool as these anymore – and to soak in some more nostalgia at the Akarenga Steak House, an offshoot of Hawaii’s famous Hy’s Steak House.

What is it? A creative hub symbolising the cultural kaleidoscope that is Osaka, located on the grounds of the glistening Grand Green development right outside Osaka Station. The interior comprises four exhibition and event spaces, including a vast main studio with 15-metre-high walls, where diverse ideas across everything from futuristic technology to traditional arts are spotlighted in line with the facility’s concept (‘VS’ means ‘versus’, as well as ‘visionary station’).

Why go? To see some of the biggest and most talked-about shows in town – and to admire the glass façade conjured up by starchitect Tadao Ando.

What is it? teamLab became part of the expansive Nagai Botanical Garden in Higashisumiyoshi in 2022, adding a stunning collection of immersive digital art installations to the urban oasis. The exhibits include a camellia garden of ovoids, where the sculptures appear reflective during the day but emit colourful lights after sundown, transforming the surrounding forest. Some of the artworks are seasonal and change with the different types of plants and flowers that appear each month.

Why go? To walk right through some of the trippiest art in the city. The pieces respond to changes in the weather and the movements of visitors as well as those of birds and insects in the garden, ensuring that each visit is different.

What is it? A specialised museum initially established to house the extensive collection of East Asian ceramics accumulated by the now-defunct Ataka trading company, but currently lording over several thousand pieces of Japanese, Chinese and Korean pottery. The ceramics from each country have their respective galleries; Chinese ceramics from the Yuan and Ming dynasties and Eastern Han to Song dynasties are displayed in a bright, high-ceilinged space, while Korean ceramics from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties are exhibited in a cosier, more intimate environment.

Why go? To see priceless treasures such as a 14th-century celadon bottle and a Southern Song dynasty tea bowl – and to try the signature rose jelly (available from April to November) in the light-filled Tea Room.

What is it? A museum dedicated to conveying the 300-year history and energetic present of the annual Danjiri Matsuri, which sees massive, elaborately decorated shrine floats pulled through the streets of Kishiwada at breakneck speed every September. You can get a taste of the festival atmosphere via videos played on large screens and see some of the danjiri floats up close.

Why go? To try climbing onto some of the rolling artworks, and to see displays of lanterns, coats and various ornaments used during the festival.

What is it? The western Japan outpost of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, housed in one of the pavilions built for the 1970 Osaka Expo. The four exhibition rooms highlight folk crafts (mingei), meaning hand-crafted art by ordinary people, ranging from pottery and tea utensils to lacquerware and textiles.

Why go? To snap photos among the huge pots and jars collected from throughout Japan and displayed at the central cobblestone patio.