Location: Osaka
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9 History Museums in Osaka That You Shouldn't Miss
Home to nearly nine million and powering an economy that exceeds both Hong Kong's and Thailand's, Osaka packs quite a punch. The confident, stylish city is a shopping hub, with fabulous restaurants and nightlife. It's an ideal base for exploring the Kansai region; Kyoto's World Heritage Sites, Nara's temple and Koya-san's eerie graves are within 90 minutes by train. Top city attractions include the aquarium, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and the futuristic Floating Garden Observatory.
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1. Peace Osaka
2. Osaka Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 598 reviews
Reviewed By CharlieV2011 - Chicago, United States
The Osaka Museum of History provides a wealth of information through presenting artifacts and models that display Osaka’s history. The museum’s many floors present information and artifacts obtained from excavations, pictures, and written record. The most interesting parts are the Edo period up to present, with detailed models that make history come alive. You can see what homes and neighborhoods looked like during the medieval period, and up through the 20th century. So much information on display includes fashion, domestic appliances, trade and economics, and architecture of Osaka through time.
3. Obayashi History Museum
4. Kusuri no Doshomachi Archive
5. Shitenno-ji Temple Homotsukan
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By GoGo2SlowGo - Denton, United States
As we approached the temple, we couldn’t miss the two guardians. The gates at Shitennoji Temple are guarded by wooden statues known as Nio or Benevolent Kings. Two Nio are there to guard and protect the temple from evil spirits and demons but also human robbers. Most of Nio that we have seen are made out of wood and are usually housed in their own gate houses to protect them from the weather. We’ve seen them at many temples all over Japan. On the left, in blue, was Ungyo, or Naraen Kongo, named for the cosmic sounds of “un” or “om” meaning death; this guardian is a closed mouth figure to shelter and keep in good spirits. The “om’ sound is the end or death. On the right, in red, was Agyo or Misshaku Kongo, named for the cosmic sounds of “ah” or birth or beginning. The gritted teeth and aggressive expression of this opened mouth guardian figure deters demons and individuals with malicious intent from the gates. These guardians commonly have a very masculine portrayal; appearing furious or malevolent with great strength. However, they are very benign deities. The sure made great photos. Shitennoji Temple is Japan’s oldest official temple, founded in 593 by the prince Shotoku Taishi. He was a major figure in Japanese history who played a leading role in introducing Buddhism to Japan. He named the temple after the shitenno. These were four heavenly kings of Buddhist tradition who guard the world from evil.
