Overview of the Museum
The Osaka International Peace Center was established with financial support from Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City in 1989 and opened to the public in 1991.
Osaka suffered extensive damage during World War II, including repeated air raids by U.S. forces. The center was established to preserve records of this history and to pass knowledge about the destruction caused by war on to future generations.
Why the Center Was Established
During World War II, Osaka was subjected to numerous air raids that destroyed buildings and affected the lives of many residents. The center documents these experiences and provides an opportunity to consider the human cost of war and the importance of peace.
One of its major areas of focus is the Osaka air raids, while its exhibitions also place Osaka’s wartime experience within the broader history of modern conflict.
Exhibitions
The exhibition galleries contain a variety of historical materials. These include a model of a one-ton bomb used in the bombing of Osaka, wartime photographs, documents, and materials covering the period from the Manchurian Incident through the end of the Pacific War.
The museum also presents exhibits dealing with war and the atomic bombings, as well as Auschwitz. Together, these displays explore the suffering and destruction experienced by people during wartime in different parts of the world.
Educational Role
The center has served an important educational role since its opening. By August 2014, more than 1.88 million people had visited the facility.
A significant proportion of visitors have been elementary and junior high school students participating in educational field trips. The museum therefore serves not only as a historical archive but also as a place where younger generations can study the realities of war and consider the importance of peace.
Controversy Over Incorrect Photographs in the Korea Exhibit
In October 2011, questions were raised about photographs displayed in the museum’s Korea section. An investigation found that four photographs did not correspond to the explanations accompanying them, and the photographs were subsequently removed.
The issue illustrates the importance of accurate identification and contextualization of historical photographs, particularly when they are used in exhibitions about wartime history.
The Incorrectly Displayed Photographs
Among the photographs that had been incorrectly displayed were images of construction work at the Suiho Dam in prewar Korea and a photograph that had appeared in a newspaper in 1926. These images had been presented as showing Korean workers who had been forcibly brought to Japan.
Two photographs taken in 1932 had also been presented as depicting the mass killing of Koreans at a railway construction site. Subsequent investigation determined that the photographs did not in fact depict the events described in the exhibition.
Revision of the Exhibition Text
The accompanying text stated that, from 1939 onward, Koreans had been forcibly brought to Japan to work in order to compensate for labor shortages. The staff member responsible for planning the original exhibition had already died, and the precise circumstances that led to the selection of the incorrect photographs could not be established.
The photographs had remained on display for more than 20 years, from the museum’s opening in 1991 until the issue was identified in 2011. They were removed after the discrepancy was discovered.
Organization and Management
The Osaka International Peace Center is operated by the Osaka International Peace Center Foundation, which is managed by a board of directors and a council of representatives.
The organization has included representatives from a range of backgrounds. The management structure described in the source information is based on the organization’s status as of June 15, 2021.
Location and Opening Information
Address: 2-1 Osaka-jo, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Opening hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Regular closing days: Mondays, the day following a national holiday, the year-end and New Year holiday period, and the final day of each month.
Getting There
The museum is approximately a 5-minute walk from Morinomiya Station. The station is served by the JR Osaka Loop Line, Osaka Metro Chuo Line, and Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.
Its location inside Osaka Castle Park makes it convenient to combine a visit with sightseeing around Osaka Castle and the surrounding historic area.
Why Visit Peace Osaka?
Peace Osaka provides an opportunity to learn about Osaka’s wartime history through original materials and historical records. Its exhibitions focus particularly on the destruction caused by the Osaka air raids and the experiences of people affected by war.
At the same time, the museum places these local experiences within a broader international context by addressing subjects such as atomic warfare and Auschwitz. This allows visitors to consider both the history of Osaka and the wider human consequences of modern warfare.
A Place to Reflect on History and Peace
The Osaka International Peace Center is an important historical and educational facility within Osaka Castle Park. Its collections preserve records of a period when Osaka experienced extensive destruction and profound changes to everyday life.
For international visitors exploring Osaka Castle Park, a visit to Peace Osaka offers a different perspective on the city. Rather than focusing on castles, temples, shopping, or entertainment, the center provides an opportunity to learn about Osaka’s wartime history, the experiences of civilians, and the broader history of war and peace.
Visitors interested in modern Japanese history and the history of Osaka may find the museum a meaningful complement to the historical attractions surrounding Osaka Castle.