Osaka Prefectural Chikatsu Asuka Museum

The Osaka Prefectural Chikatsu Asuka Museum is an archaeological institution in Kanan that houses artifacts from early Japanese history. The building features a stepped terrace design that integrates into the surrounding hills, creating an observation platform for visitors.

The museum exhibits artifacts from the Kofun and Asuka periods, spanning the 4th to 7th centuries, when the region functioned as a gateway to Asia. This era was marked by intense contact with the mainland and shaped Japan's cultural development.

The exhibition halls display life-sized reconstructions of burial chambers and extensive collections of swords, metalwork, and jewelry from ancient tombs in the region. These objects show how wealthy people in this early period lived and honored their dead.

The museum is accessible daily and offers good facilities for visitors of various ages and mobility levels. The terrace design requires some walking ability, but also provides rest areas with views of the surrounding landscape.

The exhibition room was designed by architect Tadao Ando to mirror the shape of circular tomb structures with rectangular entrances. This approach subtly links the modern display spaces with the ancient structures they explain.

Location: Kanan

Inception: March 25, 1994

Architects: Tadao Ando

Official opening: 1994

Address: 大阪府南河内郡河南町大字東山299

Website: http://chikatsu-asuka.jp/?s=english/top

GPS coordinates: 34.50311,135.64361

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:40