Osaka Museum of History

Osaka, Japan
2001

The Osaka Museum of History is part of a complex that includes the NHK Broadcasting Center. The complex overlooks two important historical sites: the Osaka Castle Park and the ruins of Naniwanomiya Palace. The building is connected to the NHK Broadcasting Center by a 20,000-square-foot spherical atrium with a ceiling that soars to 115 feet. This generously-​sized public space hosts events and serves as shared entrance hall for the museum, the television studios and a concert hall. Archeological specimens from the Naniwanomiya Palace are also displayed here.

The 13-​story building is the largest history museum in Osaka. Starting with a full-​scale recreation of the Naniwanomiya Palace interior, permanent exhibits tell the story of Osaka from ancient to modern times. A full floor is dedicated to traveling exhibits and another contains a lecture hall and training rooms. The Archaeological Resource Center consists of research facilities for archaeologists and historians, storage spaces and administrative offices as well as full-​sized replica of an excavation site. A library and information terminals also give visitors access to the museum’s resources. One level of parking is located below grade.