Japan Guide
Kansai
Ōsaka Museum of History
To the southwest of the castle is the stunning new Ōsaka Museum of History, a twelve-storey concrete and glass structure in the shape of a giant ship's funnel – the "edge" pointing towards the castle is made of glass and offers excellent views. One of the city's premier attractions, the museum is built on the site of the Asuka period Naniwa-Nagara-Toyozaki Palace, remains of which have been preserved in the museum's basement. After entering the museum, a lift whizzes you up to the tenth floor, from where you make your way down through four storeys of excellent displays featuring replicas, antiques, manuscripts and intricate scale models of street scenes and long-vanished buildings which once played important roles in the city's cultural and social life. There's lots of English-language information on the displays, though not, sadly, for the wide range of video presentations. The ground floor is home to a decent café-restaurant, Star Isle (10am–5.30pm). Opening time: Mon & Wed– Sun 9.30am–5pm, Fri until 8pmPrice: ¥600 
06/6946-5728 
www.mus-his.city.osaka.jp/english