Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations
In our city guide, we will highlight eight of Osaka's must-visit art museums, each offering unique insights into various aspects of Japanese culture and history. Be sure to save this information for your trip preparations.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
01. The National Museum of Art, Osaka
The National Museum of Art, Osaka, was designed by Argentine architect César Pelli. Photo Credit: The National Museum of Art, Osaka.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
The National Museum of Art, Osaka, also known as NMAO, is a unique underground museum, a rarity globally. It features three levels of underground exhibition galleries and public spaces for gatherings. The museum primarily showcases contemporary art from 1945 onwards, alongside regular special exhibitions that delve into emerging trends in both domestic and international art scenes. Opened in 2004, the museum's current architecture is inspired by the life force of bamboo and the growth and development of contemporary art. It was designed by Argentine architect César Pelli.
▸ Address:
4 Chome-2-55 Nakanoshima, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0005
▸ Admission Fee:
Permanent Collection ¥430
Special Exhibition: Fees will be updated on the museum's website.
▸ Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Friday, Saturday: 10:00 - 20:00 (Last admission at 19:30)
Note: Hours may vary under special circumstances.
▸ Closed:
Mondays; Yearend and New Year’s holidays
During exhibition changes; additional closures may occur.
Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
02. Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka
Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, was designed by Katsuhiko Endo Architect and Associates. Photo Credit: Hiroshi Ueda.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
The Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, is located near The National Museum of Art, Osaka. To distinguish between them, observe their unique architecture. The Nakanoshima Museum of Art is like a geometric black box that stands out in the cityscape. Designed by Japanese architect Katsuhiko Endo, it opened in 2022.
The museum features a diverse collection that includes representative works of art from the mid-nineteenth century to the present, sourced from both domestic and international artists. The collection encompasses Western-style paintings by Japanese artists, nihonga (Japanese-style paintings), European modern art, contemporary art, prints, photographs, sculptures, designs, and more.
▸ Address:
4 Chome-3-1 Nakanoshima, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0005, Japan
▸ Admission Fee:
Admission fees vary for each exhibition.
▸ Opening Hours:
10:00 - 17:00
Admission to exhibitions allowed until 30 minutes before closing time.
▸ Closed:
Mondays, or the following weekday if Monday is a public holiday.
Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
03. Fujita Art Museum
Fujita Art Museum was designed by TAISEI DESIGN Planners Architects & Engineers. Photo Credit: aifoto.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
The Fujita Museum's collection was assembled by Fujita Denzaburō, a businessman from the Meiji era, and his sons Heitarō and Tokujirō. Denzaburō, deeply concerned about the cultural treasures of Japan being lost or mishandled after the Meiji Restoration, dedicated himself to preserving these artifacts. Despite his parents' warnings against his love for art, Denzaburō was determined to collect and protect national treasures. He believed in gathering these works not just for himself but to prevent their dispersal.
His passion for art was passed down to his sons, who opened the Fujita Museum in 1954. They wanted to ensure that these national treasures were accessible to the public, to share the joy of art with others, and to provide resources for researchers.
The Fujita Museum, located in a renovated part of the Fujita family house from the Meiji and Taishō periods, served as exhibition rooms until its temporary closure on June 11, 2017. The treasury building, which survived the 1945 Osaka air raid while most of the house did not, preserved the artworks safely.
▸ Address:
10-32 Amijimacho, Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, 534-0026, Japan
▸ Admission Fee:
Adults: ¥1,000
Free for individuals under 19 years old (ID required.)
▸ Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
▸ Closed:
December 29th to January 5th
Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
04. Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum is located on the 27th floor of the Umeda Sky Building Tower West. Photo Credit: Time Out.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum is a much-anticipated, state-of-the-art museum located on the 27th floor of the Umeda Sky Building, offering stunning views. The museum incorporates the world's first attempt at allowing viewers to delve into artwork through the use of immersive 3D visuals. It also features numerous fresco and mixed-media paintings and sculptures.
Additionally, there are playful workshops, an atelier space, and a comfortable café, providing visitors with a comprehensive and engaging experience of Koji Kinutani's artistic world.
▸ Address:
Umeda Sky Building Tower West, 27th Floor
1-30 Oyodonaka 1-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka 531-0076, Japan
▸ Admission Fee:
Adults ¥1,000
University, high school, and junior high school students ¥600
Free for elementary school students and younger
▸ Opening Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 - 18:00
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 - 20:00
The day before holidays: 10:00 - 20:00
Last entry 30 minutes before closing
▸ Closed:
Tuesdays (However, if Tuesday is a public holiday, it opens and the following weekday is closed.)
December 30 to January 3
Exhibition replacement periods
Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
05. Sanno Museum
The Sanno Museum opened on August 27, 2009, to showcase the collection amassed over fifty years by the founder of Hotel Monterey Co., Ltd. Over a decade after its opening, the museum relocated from the 22nd floor of Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka to the Osaka Business Park, north of Osaka Castle Park. It reopened as an independent museum on September 2, 2022. The new museum is a five-story building with three exhibition floors, providing a space where a greater number of artworks can be enjoyed by more visitors.
The museum's collection consists of approximately 600 pieces, including modern Western paintings, Japanese Western-style paintings, traditional Japanese paintings, ceramics, and sculptures. Each piece is a unique work of art that cannot be seen elsewhere. These artworks, preserved through the love of art by many individuals over history, have been handed down to the present day. The Sanno Museum aims to continue the legacy of past generations by protecting and passing on these artworks to the future. The museum seeks to create a space where visitors can experience the joy and inspiration of art.
By maintaining its commitment to both seasonal special exhibitions and permanent displays, the Sanno Museum allows visitors to appreciate its significant collection year-round.
▸ Address:
2 Chome-2-27 Shiromi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0001, Japan
▸ Admission Fee:
Adults: ¥1300
University and High School Students: ¥800
Junior High School Students and younger: ¥500
▸ Opening Hours:
10:00 - 17:00 (Last entrance at 16:30)
▸ Closed:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Open on public holidays if they fall on these days). The museum is also closed during the New Year holidays and between exhibitions.
Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
06. Abeno Harukas Art Museum
Abeno Harukas Art Museum, located in Abeno Ward, Osaka City, opened in 2014 on the 16th floor of a skyscraper. It is an urban art museum designed to exhibit national treasures and important cultural properties. With the concept of "all kinds of art for all people," the museum aims to make art and culture easily accessible and enjoyable for everyone, fitting its location at the terminal stations of Abeno and Tennoji in Osaka.
The museum aspires to be a place where people can easily and deeply connect with art. As a venue where diverse people and art converge and intersect, it fosters new beauty and creativity. Its unique location within a complex that includes a department store, offices, a hotel, and an observation deck allows it to connect a wide range of lifestyles and sensibilities with various types of art from different eras and genres. Remarkably, the museum is open until 20:00, making it convenient for visitors with busy schedules to enjoy the exhibits even later in the day.
▸ Address:
Abeno Harukas 16F
1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka City
▸ Admission Fee:
Varies according to the exhibition.
▸ Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 20:00
Monday, Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays 10:00 - 18:00
Admission is allowed until 30 minutes before closing
▸ Closed:
Some Mondays
During exhibit changes
New Year's holidays
Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
07. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
Interior view of The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka. Photo Credit: Sotheby's.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
If you have a passion for Asian art, consider visiting the Museum of Oriental Ceramics in Osaka, nestled in the serene surroundings of Nakanoshima Park, offering a tranquil retreat within the bustling city. Established in November 1982 by Osaka City, the museum is home to the celebrated Ataka Collection, generously donated by twenty-one companies of the Sumitomo Group.
The museum's core collection features Chinese and Korean ceramics from the Ataka Collection, supplemented by Japanese ceramics and significant donations such as those from the Rhee Byung-chang Collection and works by Hamada Shoji. This collection is internationally renowned for its excellence in East Asian ceramics, including two National Treasures and thirteen Important Cultural Properties of Japan. It also includes contributions such as Persian ceramics and Chinese snuff bottles.
▸ Address:
1-1-26, Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0005
▸ Admission Fee:
Adult: ¥1,600
University & High School Students: ¥800
Group discount rates available for parties of 20 or more (Check the website for details)
▸ Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday 9:30 - 17:00
Admission is allowed until 30 minutes before closing
▸ Closed:
Mondays (open on national holidays, then will be closed on the following days)
Year-end and New Year holidays
Period during change of exhibit
Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
08. Osaka Ukiyoe Museum
For those interested in Ukiyo-e, the art of Japanese woodblock printing, a visit to the Osaka Ukiyoe Museum is highly recommended. Ukiyo-e, a genre that thrived during the Edo period, captivated 18th-century Edo (modern-day Tokyo) as a popular cultural phenomenon, offering a vivid glimpse into life during that era. The museum houses an extensive collection of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints by four renowned masters: Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro, and Toshusai Sharaku. It also features prints depicting scenes from Osaka and Kyoto.
▸ Address:
542-0085 Fujiya Shinsaibashi Building 3rd floor
2-2-23 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka
▸ Admission Fee:
Adults ¥1,000
Students ¥600 (ID required)
Children ¥300
▸ Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00
Admission is allowed until 16:30
▸ Closed:
Year-end and New Year holidays
During changing exhibitions (July 22, 2024, and February 17, 2025)
Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
Continue Reading:
• Kyoto City Guide | The Face House by Kazumasa Yamashita
• Milan Museum Guide: 6 Must-See Art Destinations
• Ukiyo-e: A Guide to Japanese Woodblock Printing
(Osaka City Guide: 8 Must-See Art Museum Destinations - dans le gris)
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