The National Museum of Art, Osaka

A unique art museum that is completely underground.
The impressive entrance gate was inspired by the vitality of a bamboo plant.

The National Museum of Art, Osaka opened at the Expo Commemorative Park in 1977 for the purpose of collecting, storing and exhibiting works from Japan and overseas that centered around contemporary art as well as conducting its related research and business projects.

Due to the old age of the previous facility, the museum itself was moved to Nakanoshima, Osaka and completely rebuilt in 2004.

The building was designed by the Argentine-born Cesar Pelli, of which the exterior was inspired by the strong vitality of the bamboo plant to show the development and growth of contemporary art.

It houses about 8,200 works of art, hosting a variety of events periodically.

Basic information

Barrier Free
child

Open: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (admission until 4:30 PM)
*Open until 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays (admission until 7:30 PM)
*Hours are subject to change.

Holidays: Monday (if it is a holiday, closed on the following day), and when exhibits are being rotated and changed
*The museum may be temporarily closed besides the above dates and situations.

Price: Collection Exhibition: Adults ¥430, University students ¥130
Free of charge for high school students and younger, under 18 years old, 65 years and older (please present identification)
Free of charge for persons with physical or mental disabilities, along with 1 accompanying person (please present identification)
*Nighttime discount rate (after 5:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays) General ¥250 / University students ¥70
*Admission fees other than the Collection Exhibition may vary, depending on the exhibition.

Directions: Higobashi Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line
Fukushima Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line, Shin-Fukushima Station on the JR Tozai Line
10-minute walk from the Hanshin Fukushima Station, or a 5-minute walk from the Watanabebashi Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line