plant space in two basement levels below. From the entrance hall visitors descended to the submerged tunnel in glazed risers. The tunnel was made from reinforced concrete and was 15 m wide and 60 m long, but the shortest distance from the dome to shore was 15 m The final design was for a 20,000 m2 building, consisting of a 5,000 m2 landside entry building, the 60m submerged tunnel of 1,000 m2, opening into the dome, which encased four levels totalling 14,000 m2. Construction There was a short 25 month construction programme for the museum and the dome was the most critical part of the building process. It was discovered that the dome could be built offsite whilst the internal section was built onsite, avoiding any potential construction clash and ensuring the project would be completed on time. This also meant the dome structure was isolated from the internal structure, simplifying the earthquake resistance. The Harima works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries were chosen to build the dome, partly because they were only 33 km away on the other side of Osaka Bay. On 3 November 1998 a 4,100 ton floating crane lifted the 1,200 ton dome and lifting rig onto a barge. On 5 November the barge made the 6 hour journey to the museum site and after a day of checks the floating crane again lifted the dome, manoeuvred towards the completed substructure and lowered the dome into place. Museum Osaka is a port and grew rapidly during the Edo period, becoming known as Japan's kitchen. The aim of the museum was to show how the sea, ships and harbour were used to the benefit of Osaka and the general development of maritime culture around the world. The central exhibit was the replica Naniwa Maru, a 17th-century trade ship or higaki kaisen. The ship was trialled in Osaka Bay before being enclosed in the museum when the dome was brought to site. On the four floors surrounding and beneath the Naniwa Maru there are a range of artifacts and exhibits tracking the development of sea trade around Osaka and internationally. These include Ukiyo-e prints, replica figureheads and a display of shipwright's tools. Two video theaters were in the basement. "The Sea Adventure Pavilion" offered a fictional story with a young Japanese seafarer, encountering pirates, and raging waves, while the seats swang in response to the view on screen. "Theater