Exhibitions, Lectures, and Gallery Programs
Throughout the year, the museum hosts a wide variety of programs, including exhibitions, lectures, symposiums, and gallery talks. These programs provide visitors with opportunities to explore different perspectives on art and culture.
A Unique Underground Museum Designed by César Pelli
The museum moved from Expo ’70 Commemorative Park to Nakanoshima in 2004, where its new building was constructed as an unusual museum with almost all of its essential functions located underground.
The striking exterior was designed to evoke the image of bamboo bending and growing, symbolizing the development and evolution of contemporary art.
The building was designed by César Pelli, the Argentine-born architect known for major projects including the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Abeno Harukas in Osaka.
Three Basement Levels with Different Functions
The entrance, auditorium, restaurant, and museum shop are located on the first basement level. The exhibition galleries and storage facilities are located on the second and third basement levels.
The first basement level also functions as a free public space, making it a lively area where visitors can relax even without entering the paid exhibition areas.
A Family-Friendly Art Museum
The museum also offers facilities designed with families in mind. A dedicated kids’ room permanently provides around 300 picture books, giving young visitors a comfortable place to spend time.
A childcare service is also available by reservation for an additional fee, making the museum more accessible for parents traveling with young children.
Discover Contemporary Art in the Heart of Nakanoshima
With its distinctive underground architecture, extensive collection of post-1945 contemporary art, changing exhibitions, and family-friendly facilities, The National Museum of Art, Osaka offers a different kind of museum experience in the cultural district of Nakanoshima.
Its unusual architecture is itself part of the attraction, while the diverse collection and regular programs provide many ways to discover Japanese and international art.