The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living feels like traveling back to the Edo period in an instant! Inside, old streets, shops, and homes are recreated in great detail. Putting on a kimono for photos makes it feel even more like you’re in old Japan, and every corner is super photogenic.
The museum isn’t huge, but if you take your time walking around and taking pictures, 2 to 3 hours is just right. If you use the Osaka Amazing Pass, admission is free, so the value is really high. I definitely recommend adding it to your Osaka itinerary for an easy way to experience what life in Osaka used to be like.

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The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
The hands-on museum where you can learn about life in Osaka now and then.
Japan’s first museum, specialized on the history and culture of life, was opened in April 2001. You can learn about housing and how people lived during Edo, Meiji, Taisho and Showa Periods.
On the 8th floor, Modern Osaka Panoramic Tour shows a modern town in Osaka from Meiji to Showa Periods with a diorama model and video. The architecture of the era, the life, culture and customs from the Cultural Revolution through the Dai-Osaka (Big Osaka) Era. The Living Theater "That Day That House -A Family's Relocation Story-" is an intriguing episode of a girl, who was born and grew up in Osaka Karahori Shopping Street. It shows how a family changed homes via video and models. Check it out.
On the 9th floor, “Saijiki of Naniwa Machiya (Time Slip to the Edo Period)” recreates the townscape in early 1830s in life-size. You can actually walk along the street with a public bath, kimono shop, book store, Pharmacy, etc. and step inside and handle the displays.
The special display room will have exhibitions related to life from time to time.
Highlights
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The museum that shares the changes in housing and life in Osaka.
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Displays a detailed recreation of housing in Osaka through Meiji, Taisho and Showa Periods with video and diorama models.
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Permanent exhibition and occasional special exhibitions.
Photos
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The permanent exhibition to show the life, culture and customs in modern Osaka
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The model depicts the modern townscape
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Recreated details inside the buildings
Reviews
Some reviews are AI-translated.
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Travel back in time to the Edo period!
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living faithfully recreates the streets, townhouses, and everyday life of that era. Walking through it feels like stepping onto the set of a period drama. Every corner is super photogenic, so if you love taking pictures, you’ll probably never want to stop.
Admission is free with the Osaka Amazing Pass, which makes it a great deal. The museum isn’t huge, so 2–3 hours is just right if you take your time and snap photos.
It’s also perfect to visit along with Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street for a taste of both old and modern Osaka! -
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This spot recreates the streets of Osaka during the Edo period. It's a really meaningful place to visit.
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This place is awesome! You can really learn about the lifestyle and customs of people in Osaka. I felt it was totally worth visiting.
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This is a really interesting place where you can learn about the past and present. Most of the visitors here are foreigners.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 大阪市立住まいのミュージアム 大阪くらしの今昔館
- Postal Code
- 530-0041
- Address
- Housing Information Center Building 8F, 6-4-20 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka
- Telephone
- 06-6242-1170
- Closed
- Tuesdays(open if National holiday), The end and beginning of the year, When preparing for new exhibitions
- Hours
- 10:00am - 5:00pm (Admission allowed until 4:30pm)
- Admission
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Permanent exhibition: 600 yen/person, High school/college student 300 yen (Please present your student ID.)
*Please check the official website for exhibition-specific admission fees. - Access
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1) Directly connected to Osaka Metro Subway Tanimachi Line, Sakaisuji Line, and Hankyu Senri Line, and Tenjinbashisuji 6 Chome Station.
2) From JR Osaka Loop Line, Tenma Station, walk 7 min. - Credit Cards
- Accepted
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)
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