[2025 Osaka Attraction] Travel Guide for Nakanoshima Museum of Art (Updated Jan)

On a clear, sunny day, we stepped into the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka. This beautiful place combines modern art with historical culture, featuring a diverse and creative array of exhibits from artists around the world. The spacious and bright gallery design allows visitors to immerse themselves in the artistic atmosphere. Notably, the design details of the museum are meticulously crafted, reflecting the special care taken in its construction. The overall visiting experience is very comfortable, offering not only the charm of art but also a quiet time to enjoy, making it an excellent cultural travel destination. We were fortunate to catch Chiharu Shiota's 'I to EYE' exhibition during our visit. As soon as we entered the exhibition, we were captivated by the intricate red threads crisscrossing before us. Stepping into the gallery, we were immediately drawn to many more moving installation artworks. These threads, like invisible strands of fate, tightly envelop the entire space, seemingly depicting the intertwined memories and dreams within each person's heart. These lines carry the weight of the soul, connecting the past at one end and stretching towards the future at the other. Standing before the works, we felt those once-forgotten emotions being gently pulled back. Chiharu Shiota's works made us realize that every choice in life is invisibly connected to others, no matter how far apart, with unseen threads binding us closely together. As we left the exhibition hall, it felt as if we could see those invisible red threads hidden among the clouds, guiding us towards the future. This exhibition not only made us re-examine our inner selves but also helped us understand that, in places we cannot see, the stories of life continue to be quietly woven.

I visited the illumination at the Nakanoshima Museum in Osaka. It seems even more beautiful this year. A beautiful carpet of lights. The great thing is, there are hardly any people at night. You can take as many photos as you want. It's a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts and live streamers. During the day, besides the museum, there are restaurants and shops where you can relax. If you're nearby, be sure to check it out. Event Period: November 1, 2024 – February 11, 2025 Lighting Hours: 17:00 – 22:00

The Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka stands gracefully by the Dojima River. Its modern architecture, characterized by black and white geometric lines, exudes a sense of calm yet dynamic beauty. Stepping inside, one feels as if they have entered a serene space where light and art intertwine. The exhibition halls guide visitors through different eras of art with open and fluid pathways. From 20th-century Japanese modern art to treasured works by European masters, each piece tells a unique story and offers a visual impact. Yayoi Kusama's polka dot installations are a visual feast, with their infinitely extending lines challenging the limits of perception. On the other side, reproductions of Van Gogh's masterpieces radiate with intense emotional brushstrokes, transporting visitors back to the golden age of Western art. The most enchanting part is the museum's open-view area, where expansive glass windows offer a panoramic view of the city and river of Nakanoshima. Sitting quietly on a bench in the corner, one's thoughts wander with the play of light and shadow, where art and reality converge in this space. The Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka is a journey through the sea of art across time. With its silent presence, it gently soothes the soul of every traveler, allowing them to linger in the eternity of beauty.

The 6th photo shows the promotional poster of the Nakanoshima Museum of Art - The solo exhibition of Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, "Chiharu Shiota: I to EYE," opened on September 14 at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka and will run until December 1. Chiharu Shiota, who is good at "rope art," constantly explores the "meaning of existence" through her works. Immerse yourself in the world of intertwined red threads! 1. The red lines in front of you are cut and wrapped, filling the entire space. It's like the connection between people is cut, entangled, and spread out. Red is like blood, and every entanglement, every pull, and every extension seems to retain the artist's breath and become her shadow. 2. Painter Chiharu Shiota Born in a box factory in Osaka, Chiharu Shiota's connection with art seems to have been predestined. At the age of 5, she painted spring flowers and butterflies, which are the meaning of her name, and smiled as she painted on her face. Where do we come from? Where are we going? The line finally became the main material of Chiharu Shiota's creation, slowly returning with a taste of nostalgia. 3. The origin of the exhibition name Chiharu Shiota said: "Holding a solo exhibition in Osaka, where I was born and raised, I wanted to focus on the 'connection between people' that the pandemic made us aware of." The name of the exhibition also comes from this, with three i's: I, eye, and ai, forming "Chiharu Shiota: I to EYE." This exhibition features many of her works spanning 30 years from her student days to the present, as well as new works. Chiharu Shiota said: "Most of these works use my main creative element, thread. Entanglement, unraveling, breaking, and combining, the thread seems to be the connection of interpersonal relationships."

The Osaka Nakanojima Museum of Art is a museum that has been planned for nearly 30 years. Why has it come into our view? Perhaps it is its dark and mysterious facade. I have mentioned before when introducing the Kyoto Park Hyatt how skillfully using black can highlight the beauty of nature, and this time is no exception! The lush greenery surrounding the museum creates a vibrant atmosphere for the public space around it. On the fourth and fifth floors, where the permanent and planned exhibition halls are located, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside through the bright and huge floor-to-ceiling windows, feeling the mutual echo between it and the indoor art. The pedestrian skybridge connected to the lawn has created a public space that welcomes people day and night. Designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the interior of the museum is like a 'city' with three-dimensional corridors running through it. The crisscrossing and flowing spaces reflect the busyness and order of contemporary urban life, allowing the audience to experience the unique modern atmosphere of Osaka City while interacting with art. As a commemorative exhibition for the first anniversary of its opening, the museum focused on exploring the connection between design and art since World War II. The works of 70 Japanese artists and designers from the 1950s to the 2010s were brought together to create a 'participatory' experience that goes beyond the appreciation of art and design. From Yasumasa Morimura's re-creation of Van Gogh's portrait to Kenji Yanobe's black 'Atomic Car', and to the iconic cartoon portraits of Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami, in the landscape formed by these works, the boundaries between art and design gradually blur, yet each retains its own characteristics.

【Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art】 On February 2, 2022, the Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art opened its doors. It is a new era museum located on Nakanoshima, a symbol of the 'water capital' Osaka. The planning for the museum actually began in 1990, over 40 years ago. With great anticipation, the new museum quickly became a new artistic landmark in Osaka and is the city's first modern art museum. The exterior walls are boldly covered with pure black precast concrete panels, making the building appear like a giant black box. The SHIP'S CAT sculpture on the outdoor lawn plaza on the second floor is a popular spot for visitors, symbolizing courage and protection. Address: 4-3-1 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Transportation: Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line 'Higobashi Station'

Opened in 2022 on Nakanoshima in Osaka, this new art museum is a great place to spend half a day if you're at the Osaka citywalk. There aren't many subway lines nearby, only the Keihan Electric Railway Nakanoshima Line is accessible, and if you have an Osaka Metro day pass or JR pass, this line can't be used. You can take the subway to near the Conrad and then walk over. No need to book in advance, you can just buy a ticket for the themed exhibition on site. When I visited, I caught the 'Parallel Lives' exhibition by Shin Miyake (which is probably over by now), who is particularly good at using wind for art installations, and his works can be seen at Kansai Airport in Osaka. Currently, only two exhibition halls are open on Nakanoshima, and since it's a new museum, the space is very large and perfect for a leisurely stroll.

#thingstodo I visited the museum without checking which exhibition was on display upfront. It happened to be one from the Tate museum, and because I am European (Italian) the kind of art displayed was nothing new, I’ve seen quite a lot throughout my lifetime. I was hoping to see some contemporary Japanese art, but that’s my bad since I haven’t checked their website. Still a nice exhibition, and I enjoyed the building’s architecture.