Mini Exhibition "Year of the Horse Exhibition Part 2: Horses that Ran in Nagai ~When it was Osaka Racecourse~" to be Held

1955 (Showa 30) race poster

Nagai Park, currently loved by many citizens, has served various roles throughout the ages. It is said that an anti-aircraft artillery base of the former Imperial Japanese Army was located here during the modern era, and after the war, it was used as the Osaka Racecourse (hereinafter referred to as Nagai Racecourse). This location has transformed along with the changes in Osaka's urban landscape.

This exhibition looks back at the history of Nagai Park by displaying race posters, match labels, and photographs from the time related to the former Nagai Racecourse. It traces the era when many people gathered and horses raced. In addition, a preserved military horse skull specimen from our collection will also be exhibited. Although its provenance is unknown, this specimen overlaps with the history of military facilities in this area, evoking the relationship between humans and horses. To coincide with the Year of the Horse, we will introduce the "memories of horses" etched in Nagai from both natural history and local history perspectives.

Exhibition Overview

1. Name: Mini Exhibition "Year of the Horse Exhibition Part 2: Horses that Ran in Nagai ~When it was Osaka Racecourse~"

2. Period: July 17 (Fri) - August 30 (Sun), 2026

3. Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last admission 4:30 PM)

4. Closed: Mondays (if a holiday, the following weekday), with special openings on August 3 (Mon) and August 10 (Mon).

5. Venue: Osaka Museum of Natural History, Main Building 1F Naumann Hall

1-23 Nagai Park, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 546-0034

TEL: 06-6697-6221 (General Inquiries) FAX: 06-6697-6225

800m east of Exit 3, Nagai Station (Osaka Metro)

1,000m east of the East Exit, Nagai Station (JR Hanwa Line)

Website: https://www.omnh.jp/

6. Admission Fee: Permanent exhibition admission fee (Adults ¥300, High school/university students ¥200)

*Free for junior high school students and younger, those with disability certificates (including one caregiver), and Osaka residents aged 65 and over (proof required). Group discounts available for parties of 30 or more.

Main Exhibits

*These photos may only be used for publicity purposes. If you wish to use them, please contact the inquiry contact below.

<Photos of Nagai Racecourse> (Image provided by Odama-ki)

These are photographs taken at Nagai Racecourse. While Nagai Park is now a place of relaxation for citizens, with facilities such as the Museum of Natural History, botanical garden, and multi-purpose stadium, it was bustling as a racecourse after the war. These materials are valuable records that convey the scenery of Nagai at the time, including the appearance of racehorses and spectator seats.

<Match Label from 1959 (Showa 34)>

This match label was created to promote Nagai Racecourse. Matches were once daily necessities and widely used as advertising media. Even on this small label, the memory of Nagai Park bustling as a racecourse is preserved.

<Race Poster from 1955 (Showa 30)>

This poster announces horse races held at Nagai Racecourse. The dynamic depiction of horses and bold design suggest that horse racing was a popular form of entertainment in Osaka after the war. It is also a document that conveys the atmosphere of the "era when it was a racecourse," which is hard to imagine from the current Nagai Park.

<Military Horse Skull Specimen>

Until the first half of the 20th century, horses played important roles not only in daily life but also in the military. Military horses were used in many situations, such as transporting supplies, cavalry, and pulling artillery, and were sent to the battlefield alongside humans. Large, durable horses were required, and efforts were made in Japan to breed horses suitable for military use.

This skull specimen has been preserved at our museum for a long time, but details such as its provenance are unknown.

Public Relations Inquiries

Public Relations Section, General Affairs Division, Osaka Museum of Natural History

TEL: 06-6697-6222 FAX: 06-6697-6225

E-mail: shizenshikoho@ocm.osaka