Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

In short

A museum opened in April 2001 (Heisei 13) as Osaka City's "Housing Museum." Centered on housing, it takes daily living and town development as its theme, allowing visitors to view the early modern and modern history of Osaka through the lives of the people who lived there. The museum is closed from September 1, 2026, to January 5, 2027.

• ​A Changing Day in an Edo Town​​: On the 9th floor spreads a townscape of life-sized reconstructed Osaka townhouses from the Tenpo era (1830s), and visitors can go inside the houses. A full day in the town is condensed into 45 minutes and, with sound, lighting, and visuals, transitions into sunset and nighttime scenes
• ​Modern Osaka on the 8th Floor​​: The towns and daily life of the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras are introduced through detailed diorama models and videos
• ​Town Walk in Kimono​​: In the paid kimono experience, visitors can enjoy taking commemorative photos amid the Edo-era townscape wearing a kimono, or a yukata in summer

History and Highlights

​Osaka Museum of Housing and Living​ opened in April 2001 (Heisei 13) as Osaka City's "Housing Museum." Centered on housing, it takes daily living and town development as its theme, allowing visitors to view the early modern and modern history of Osaka through the lives of the people who lived there. It received the Architectural Institute of Japan Prize in Heisei 20 (2008). Note that the museum is closed from September 1, 2026, to January 5, 2027.

The museum is located on the upper floors of the Osaka Municipal Housing Information Center building at Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome. The tour proceeds in order from the 10th floor to the 9th floor, and then to the 8th floor. From the observation floor on the 10th floor, visitors can look down upon the Edo-period townscape of Osaka spreading across the 9th floor.

In the first exhibition room on the 9th floor, "Early Modern Osaka," visitors can walk through Osakamachi 3-chome, a fictional town lined with life-sized reconstructed townhouses from the Tenpo era (1830s) of Osaka. The townscape was recreated based on old documents and historical drawings, allowing visitors to actually step inside the houses and experience the housing and lifestyles of that time.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​A Changing Day in an Edo Town​​: On both sides of the main street stand life-sized merchant houses, a chokaisho (town assembly office), a fire watchtower, and a bathhouse. A full day in the town is condensed into 45 minutes and presented with sound, lighting, and visuals, transitioning into sunset and nighttime scenes. When night falls, andon (paper lamps) are lit, creating an atmosphere distinctly different from daytime.
• ​Modern Osaka on the 8th Floor​​: In the second exhibition room on the 8th floor, "Modern Osaka," the towns and daily life of the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras are introduced through detailed diorama models and videos. In the "Six Views of Osaka" section, the housing and living scenes of each era are depicted with intricate models.
• ​Town Walk in Kimono​​: In the paid kimono experience, visitors can enjoy taking commemorative photos amid the Edo-era townscape wearing a kimono, or a yukata in summer.

Tips for Exploring

The building can be entered directly from Exit 3 of Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome Station on the Subway Tanimachi and Sakaisuji Lines and the Hankyu Line. The building faces Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, the longest in Japan, and taking a stroll after your visit through this shopping street, which retains the atmosphere of Osaka's traditional downtown, is also recommended. Following the shopping street to the south also leads to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine.