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The National Museum of Art, Osaka: A Subterranean Sanctuary of Contemporary Art

Explore a world of modern art at Osaka's unique underground museum, featuring renowned Japanese and international artists.

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The National Museum of Art, Osaka (NMAO) is an underground museum on Nakanoshima Island dedicated to collecting and showcasing Japanese and international contemporary art from 1945 to the present. With its distinctive architecture and diverse collection, the museum offers visitors an immersive experience into the world of modern artistic expression.

A brief summary to The National Museum of Art, Osaka

  • Nakanoshima, 4 Chome−2−55 国立国際美術館, Osaka, 4 Chome Nakanoshima, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0005, JP
  • +816-6447-4680
  • Visit website
  • Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-8 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-8 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for current exhibitions and events before your visit.
  • Consider visiting on a weekday or during non-peak hours to avoid crowds.
  • The museum is closed on Mondays (except for holiday Mondays).
  • Explore Nakanoshima Island after your visit, with its pleasant promenade and park area.
  • The Osaka Science Museum is located next door to the National Museum of Art.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    The National Museum of Art, Osaka, is easily accessible by public transport. The closest stations are Watanabebashi Station (Exit 2) on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line (5-minute walk) and Higobashi Station (Exit 3) on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line (10-minute walk). From Osaka/Umeda Station, take the Yotsubashi Subway Line to Higobashi Station. Subway fares in Osaka vary depending on the distance traveled. For example, a trip less than 3 km costs 190 JPY for adults. A one-day pass for unlimited travel on the Osaka Metro and Osaka City Buses is also available. Alternatively, take bus No. 53 or No. 75 from JR Osaka Station and get off at the Taminobashi bus stop, which is a 3-minute walk to the museum. The flat fare for local buses in central Osaka is 210 JPY for adults and 110 JPY for children.

  • Walking

    The National Museum of Art, Osaka, is located on Nakanoshima Island, adjacent to the Osaka Science Museum. It is a 20-minute walk southwest from JR Osaka Station or Hankyu Umeda Station. From Yodoyabashi Station (Exit 7) on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, it is a 15-minute walk west, crossing over the Tosabori River.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Osaka. A taxi ride from Shin-Osaka Station to Namba Station, which crosses Osaka, typically costs around 2,000 JPY. The base fare for a standard-sized taxi in Osaka is 680 JPY for the first 2km, with an additional 400 JPY per kilometer thereafter. A 5km ride in Osaka costs about 2,680 JPY. Taxi services may apply a 20% surcharge for nighttime journeys between 22:00 and 5:00.

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Discover more about The National Museum of Art, Osaka

The National Museum of Art, Osaka (NMAO), also known as Kokuritsu Kokusai Bijutsukan, is a unique cultural institution located on Nakanoshima Island in the heart of Osaka. Established in 1977 and relocated to its current underground facility in 2004, the museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting contemporary art from both Japan and abroad. The museum's origins trace back to the Expo Museum of Fine Arts, which was built for the 1970 Osaka Expo. Following the Expo, the museum was preserved and eventually reopened as the National Museum of Art in 1977. In 2004, the museum was relocated to its current location on Nakanoshima Island, a cultural hub in Osaka. The Argentine architect César Pelli designed the new building, with most of the museum located underground. Pelli's design includes a striking above-ground sculpture of glass and stainless steel, often likened to waving reeds or rabbit ears, which has become a symbol of the museum and Nakanoshima Island. The NMAO's collection comprises around 8,000 works, primarily from 1945 onwards, making it Japan's largest collection of contemporary art. The museum's collection includes graphic designs, prints, watercolors, sketches, photographs, oil paintings, sculptures, and craftworks. While the museum focuses on post-war art, it also features works by pre-war artists such as Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Tsuguharu Fujita, and Yasuo Kuniyoshi. Post-war artists in the collection include Andy Warhol, Tadanori Yokoo and Yayoi Kusama. The museum hosts various exhibitions, including collection exhibitions and special exhibitions, showcasing a wide range of contemporary artworks. Visitors to the NMAO can explore the museum's three underground floors, which house the exhibition galleries, storage facilities, a restaurant, and a museum shop. Audio guides are available in multiple languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.

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