Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka

In short

An art museum that opened on February 2, 2022, on Nakanoshima, a symbol of the water metropolis. It was conceived in 1983 as one of the commemorative projects for the centenary of the Osaka municipal government, and opened after 30 years following the establishment of a preparatory office in 1990. Specializing in art and design from the late 19th century to the present day, it holds a collection of approximately 7,000 works.

• ​From Saeki Yuzo to Design​​: Masterpieces by Saeki Yuzo, Modigliani's female nude, and works by Yoshihara Jiro, who was the leader of the Gutai Art Association, are highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally. In 2012, the Suntory Poster Collection was added as a deposited collection, which, together with furniture and tableware, has made it one of the world's leading design collections
• ​Black Exterior and the "Passage"​​: The building was designed by Endo Katsuhiko, who was selected through an architectural design competition. In the "Passage" at the center of the building, soft light pours down from the ceiling of an open atrium extending from the 1st to the 5th floor, and the escalator daringly suspended within the atrium is also a highlight
• ​《SHIP'S CAT (Muse)》​​: In the plaza in front of the 2nd-floor entrance, visitors are greeted by the work of Osaka-born contemporary artist Yanobe Kenji. Its motif is the "ship's cat" of the Age of Discovery, and it watches over visitors as a cat protecting the art museum

History and Highlights

The ​Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka​ is an art museum that opened on February 2, 2022, on Nakanoshima, a symbol of the water metropolis. Its origins trace back to 1983, when the construction of a modern art museum was conceived as one of the commemorative projects for the centenary of the Osaka municipal government. The museum opened after 30 years following the establishment of a preparatory office in 1990. The building stands on the former site of the Osaka University Faculty of Medicine.

Specializing in art and design from the late 19th century to the present day, the museum holds a collection of approximately 7,000 works centered on representative artworks from Japan and abroad, while also focusing on the rich artistic activities that unfolded in local Osaka. In particular, masterpieces by Saeki Yuzo, Modigliani's female nude, and works by Yoshihara Jiro, who was the leader of the Gutai Art Association, are highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally. In 2012, the Suntory Poster Collection was added as a deposited collection, which, together with furniture and tableware, has made it one of the world's leading design collections.

Tips for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Black Exterior and the "Passage"​​: The building, with its striking black exterior, was designed by Endo Katsuhiko, who was selected through an architectural design competition. In the center of the building is the "Passage"—a word meaning a pedestrian path or alleyway in French—where soft light pours down from the ceiling of an open atrium extending from the 1st to the 5th floor. The escalator daringly suspended within the atrium is also a highlight.
• ​Exhibition Rooms on the 4th and 5th Floors​​: The exhibition rooms are located on the 4th and 5th floors. On the 4th floor, there is an exhibition case approximately 60 meters long that can display Japanese-style paintings, while the 5th floor features an exhibition room with a ceiling height of 6 meters, well-suited for large-scale exhibitions. Large glass windows at both ends of the north-south Passage allow visitors to enjoy views of Nakanoshima.
• ​《SHIP'S CAT (Muse)》​​: In the plaza in front of the 2nd-floor entrance, visitors are greeted by the artwork 《SHIP'S CAT (Muse)》 by Osaka-born contemporary artist Yanobe Kenji. Its motif is the "ship's cat," which protected ships from vermin such as rats and epidemics during the Age of Discovery; here, it watches over visitors as a cat protecting the art museum.

Walking Tips

It is about a 5-minute walk southwest from Exit 2 of Watanabebashi Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line. From Exit 4 of Higobashi Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line, it takes about 10 minutes walking west. An artificial ground level encircling the building at the height of the 2nd floor is connected to the surrounding grounds via pedestrian decks. The National Museum of Art, Osaka is located about 100 meters to the southeast, and the Osaka Science Museum is located about 130 meters to the south, making it possible to visit them consecutively.