Osaka Maritime Museum
| Osaka Maritime Museum | |
|---|---|
なにわの海の時空館 | |
The dome that houses the museum's exhibits is 15 m from shore. | |
Interactive map of the Osaka Maritime Museum area | |
| General information | |
| Location | Osaka, Japan |
| Coordinates | 34°38′24.17″N 135°24′16.46″E / 34.6400472°N 135.4045722°E |
| Construction started | March 1998 |
| Completed | May 2000 |
| Cost | 12.8bn yen |
| Client | Port and Harbor Bureau, City of Osaka |
| Owner | Osaka Gas Business Create Co., Ltd. |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Paul Andreu |
| Structural engineer | Arup and Tohata |
The Osaka Maritime Museum (なにわの海の時空館, Naniwa no Umi no Jikūkan) was a maritime museum in Osaka, Japan. It was opened by the Mayor of Osaka City on 14 July 2000 having started on site in March 1998. Designed by architect Paul Andreu with engineering design by Arup and Tohata. the museum was built on reclaimed land in the Bay of Osaka at a cost of 12.8bn yen, with a replica Edo period trading ship, the Naniwa Maru as its centrepiece. The requirement of the dome to resist seismic, wave, and wind loads and its successful completion, led to the building winning a Structural Special Award in 2002 from the Institution of Structural Engineers, UK.
The museum was closed on 10 March 2013 because of financial problems, and because the number of visitors had greatly reduced after the museum's initial popularity.