9 of the Best Museums in Osaka and How To Visit

The first thing you’ll notice about the National Museum of Art is its striking architecture: It’s located entirely underground, with one striking art installation marking it aboveground. Inside, you can expect an impressive rotating mix of Japanese and international contemporary art. The museum has roughly 8,000 pieces in its collection, including works by Yayoi Kusama, Yoshihiro Suda, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, and more.

Don’t miss: The stainless steel and glass sculpture that makes up the museum’s exterior. Designed by the Argentinian architect César Pelli, the sculpture was inspired by bamboo.

If contemporary art isn’t your thing, there are still several Osaka art museums to choose from. Located in the scenic Tennōji Park on the city's north side, the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts spotlights a wide variety of Japanese and Chinese art with more than 8,000 pieces in its collection. Beyond sculptures and paintings, you’ll also find calligraphy, textiles, metalwork, and more.

Don’t miss: Check out View of Jiangshan Tower by Yan Wengui, if it’s on display. The painting dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty and it’s rare to see original art from this era.

Conveniently located in central Osaka, the Museum of Oriental Ceramics is home to a world-renowned collection of ceramics from China, Korea, Japan, and more. The museum even features two works that are classified as National Treasures. Here, you'll learn the meanings behind popular ceramic motifs and symbols such as dragons and peaches, and you'll leave understanding the difference between porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware.

Don’t miss: A stroll through nearby Nakanoshima, a waterfront park with a beautiful rose garden—getting there is easy on an Osaka e-bike tour.

Manga and anime fans should head to the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum. Tezuka was a pioneer in the manga and animation industries, creating beloved characters including Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. In Japan, he’s known as the “Father of Manga," and the museum dives into his life and various works. The building is tucked away in Takarazuka, a city just outside Osaka where Tezuka grew up.

Don’t miss: The manga library and the theater, which shows films exclusive to the museum.

The Osaka Science Museum is fun for families, with four floors of exhibits—many of them interactive—where children can learn about electricity, chemistry, the universe, and more. It's worth noting that, though the museum offers some information in English, the exhibits are primarily in Japanese. The Osaka Science Museum is also a short walk from the National Museum of Art, making the area perfect to make a day of museum-hopping.

Don’t miss: The planetarium in the museum’s basement, which hosts multiple shows each day.

Though its subject matter may seem off-putting at first, the Sewerage Science Museum teaches kids and adults to appreciate an essential—yet often invisible—aspect of cities: how they manage their wastewater. Through interactive exhibits, visitors will learn the science behind how Osaka avoids floods during heavy rains, where the city’s used water goes, and more, all for free.

Don’t miss: Visitors can pick up a free regional “manhole card” at the museum: a collectible card that features a unique manhole cover design from across Japan.

Travel back in time to the Edo period at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, where you can walk through life-size recreations of streets and stores from the 1830s. Depending on the time of day, the scenery and sound effects of the exhibition change. On a different floor, see how local homes and domestic life evolved throughout the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. Stop here on a private tour of Osaka’s hidden gems.

Don’t miss: A kimono or yukata rental, which you can wear over your clothing as you explore the Edo period exhibition.

Pay a visit to the Osaka Museum of History, where history buffs of all ages can appreciate the full-scale models and miniature dioramas of the city throughout different time periods. You can also see the real thing: The actual ruins of the ancient Naniwa Palace are visible from the museum windows. It's also close to the Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo) to make a day of sightseeing in the area.

Don’t miss: The museum’s 10th floor, where you’ll see panoramic views of Osaka Castle and the city.

Great for families and instant noodle enthusiasts of all ages, the Cup Noodles Museum is a fun Osaka cultural attraction (although it's actually located in Ikeda, just 20 minutes from Osaka by train). Here, you'll learn about Momofuku Ando, the businessman and inventor of instant ramen, and walk through a tunnel lined with packages of instant noodles in hundreds of flavors. Admission to the museum is free, and you can take home a unique souvenir by creating a customized Cup Noodles package with your preferred soup and toppings.

Don’t miss: A replica of Ando's simple work shed, where he first developed instant ramen.