Osaka Science Museum

In short

A science museum themed around "the universe and energy," located in Nakanoshima. It opened in 1989 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Osaka's municipal organization. Its predecessor was the Osaka Municipal Electricity Science Museum, Japan's first science museum, which opened in March 1937. The Carl Zeiss II planetarium projector, the first to be introduced in the Orient, showed the starry sky to a cumulative total of 11 million people over 52 years, and is now exhibited at Zeiss Plaza on the first basement floor.

• ​Planetarium​​: In a dome measuring 26.5 meters in diameter, specialized astronomy staff provide live commentary guiding visitors through the starry sky and the universe. Admission is not permitted once the projection starts, so please allow plenty of time for your visit
• ​Four-Story Exhibition Hall​​: In 2024, the entire hall was renewed for the first time in 35 years since its opening. There are exhibits unique to Osaka, such as a full-scale moving model replicating "Gakutensoku," regarded as the first robot in the Orient
• ​Science Shows​​: At the Science Stage on the 3rd floor, experiment shows by staff are held daily

History and Highlights

​Osaka Science Museum​ is a science museum themed around "the universe and energy," located in Nakanoshima, an area lined with office buildings. It opened in 1989 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Osaka's municipal organization, with a donation from the Kansai Electric Power Company. It communicates a culture of enjoying science to people ranging from adults to children.

Its predecessor was the Osaka Municipal Electricity Science Museum, Japan's first science museum, which opened in March 1937. It housed the Carl Zeiss II planetarium projector, the first to be introduced in the Orient, and made an impactful and moving impression on many people as a "theater of stars" where stars could be seen even during the day. It is said that the manga artist Tezuka Osamu also visited the newly opened Electricity Science Museum many times during his boyhood. Over the 52 years until its retirement in 1989, this projector showed the starry sky to a cumulative total of 11 million people. Today, it is exhibited at Zeiss Plaza on the first basement floor and is designated as a Cultural Property of Osaka City and a Japan Astronomical Heritage item.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Planetarium​​: In a dome measuring 26.5 meters in diameter, specialized astronomy staff provide live commentary guiding visitors through the starry sky and the universe. The "Infinium Σ-OSAKA" projector projects approximately 9,000 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5, which is considered visible to the naked eye. There is also an all-sky video system that projects imagery across the entire dome, depicting the structure of the universe from a viewpoint away from Earth.
• ​Four-Story Exhibition Hall​​: In 2024, the entire exhibition hall was renewed for the first time in 35 years since its opening in 1989. The 4th floor, "Investigating Science," features exhibits unique to Osaka, such as a reproduction exhibit of the Electricity Science Museum and a full-scale moving model replicating "Gakutensoku," regarded as the first robot in the Orient. On the 2nd floor, "Enjoy Science with Everyone," visitors can experience familiar scientific phenomena across five areas: balls, mirrors, wind, sound, and magnets.
• ​Science Shows​​: At the Science Stage on the 3rd floor, experiment shows by staff are held daily. In various parts of the exhibition hall, there are also experiments and demonstrations by volunteer "Science Guides."

Tips for Visiting

It is located about 400 meters southwest of Exit 2 of Watanabebashi Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line. From Exit 3 of Higobashi Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line, it is about 500 meters to the west. Planetarium admission is not permitted once the projection starts, so please allow plenty of time for your visit. Approximately 80 meters to the northeast is The National Museum of Art, Osaka, and about 130 meters to the north is Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, making it easy to visit them together.