OSAKA MUSEUM OF HOUSING AND LIVING

We decided to meet up in the afternoon after I visited the shrine to check out the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, a museum reenacting what life in Osaka was in the past. It was located in the Kita area, and an entire model of the city in the Edo period is also housed here which makes the museum unique in its own way.

Yukata fitting.

 Do we almost look Japanese yet? 

What made the museum really attractive to me however, was that we could rent yukatas to walk around for ¥500 for 30 minutes which really wasn't THAT expensive for that once in a lifetime experience. I absolutely loved strutting down the "streets" of Osaka in the Edo period, and our picture taking never quite stopped while we were in the museum.

If he loses his job, he could sell books.

And I'll run a random stall.

More random picture spots.

The houses and shops were also very daintily recreated, complete with furniture and other necessities inside so you knew how the citizens of Osaka lived. It was a very traditional place to be, and you'd hardly notice the 30 minutes of your rental go by. 

Seated by a home.

And more Japanese-ey pictures.

On display: Handicrafts of the olden days.

They've also managed to control various things in the museum, such as depicting weather as well as the time of the day. You'll hear raindrops and see darken skies, or feel the heat from the sunny days from the ceiling, which made the experience extra special. While it isn't a must-visit spot when you're here, it's definitely worthwhile to drop by if you've got some time in your hands. 

Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

Open Mondays to Sundays from 10 AM to 5 PM

Closed on Tuesdays

Entrance fee at ¥600 per adult, free with the Osaka Amazing Pass

HEP FIVE

Just as a short mention, we also managed to visit the HEP FIVE ferris wheel which we initially missed several days before. What's special about the ferris wheel is that it's located on top of the HEP FIVE building in Umeda, making its starting point from about 106 meters up.

The unmistakable red carriages of HEP FIVE.

Looking down at the Umeda district.

And us.

While the carriages were definitely smaller than the one that the Tempozan ferris wheel has to offer, the view below was drastically different as we got to see the buildings of Osaka light up from the time we were in the ferris wheel. The ride lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, but we loved every intimate moment we got to share while in it. Funny enough however, there was almost nobody while we took the ride but we definitely enjoyed ourselves. 

HEP FIVE 

Open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM 

Entrance at ¥500 per adult, free with the Osaka Amazing Pass