An Excursion from KIX to Enjoy Art in Osaka

What do you know about Osaka? Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Udon or comedy is not everything the city has to offer. Osaka has an aspect of being a city of art. Appreciate a variety of artworks, from historically symbolic works that everyone knows, to art spaces in renovated pre-modern buildings and to wall art paintings that have been buzzed as hot destinations in social media. In this issue, let us take you to 3 recommended spots for those who want to enjoy the art in Osaka on your day off.

From the nearest train station of Kansai Airport Washington Hotel, all the spots introduced in this issue are easily accessible with less than a single transfer.

“Tower of the Sun”, the representative and the symbol art of Expo’70 held in Osaka

In the theme of ‘Progress and Harmony for Mankind’, the Japan World Exposition (Expo’70) was held in Osaka, attracting more than 64 million domestic and international visitors from all over the world. Among the artworks spotted on the site of Expo’70 Commemorative Park, the most popular and well-known one is the Expo’s symbol tower “Tower of the Sun” (太陽の塔) by Taro Okamoto (岡本太郎, 1911-1996). Though ‘Golden Mask’, ‘Face of the Sun’ and ‘Black Sun’ expressing the energy generated through the past, present and future are widely recognized, the underground exhibition that reproduces the very exhibits at the time of the Expo inside the tower and Mid-Air Exhibition Space in which the evolution process of life is shown are also must-see. In addition, you will feel like you are traveling in the 1970s by strolling in the park and visiting the EXPO’70 Pavilion (EXPO’70 パビリオン) showing the contents of the Steel Pavilion that’d gained huge popularity back then. Since the city is scheduled for OSAKA EXPO 2025, it should be the best time now to visit the park for experiencing the last expo.

Opening Hours	9:30AM – 5:00PM / Closed on Wednesday *In case Wednesday is a national holiday, closed on the following day. *Advanced reservation required.
Admission	930 yen (Incl. access to Tower of the SUN, Natural and Cultural Garden, and Japanese Garden)
Address	1-1 Senribampakukoen, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	Kansai Airport Washington Hotel: A 14-station ride on Kansai Airport Rapid Service from Rinku Town Station to Osaka Station, then a shuttle bus ride from Osaka Station to the park (available on weekends and national holidays) Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba: A 12-station ride on Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Senri-chuo Station and a 2-station ride on Osaka Monorail from Senci-chuo Station to Bampaku-kinen-koen Station, then a 10-minute walk from Bampaku-kinen-koen Station Takarazuka Washington Hotel: A 21-station ride on Hankyu Line from Takarazuka Station to Hotarugaike Station and a 5-station ride on Osaka Monorail from Hotarugaike Station to Bampaku-kinen-koen Station, then a 10-minute walk from Bampaku-kinen-koen Station
URL	https://www.expo70-park.jp/languages/english/

“Creative Center OSAKA”, one-and-only art space that makes use of derelict shipyard

“Creative Center OSAKA”, designated as a modern industrial heritage by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2007, is an art complex created by utilizing the site of Namura Shipbuilding’s shipyard, a shipbuilder originating Osaka. Visitors must be attracted to the distinct solid atmosphere engendered by the building once abandoned. It is often used as a location for movies and MVs, and many creative functions are held on weekends. Since the site is basically off-limits only except for when it is being used as a venue of events, look up for events meeting your taste and make up your mind when to visit. When in this neighborhood, do not miss ‘MASK’ (MEGA ART STORAGE KITAGAYA) housing large-scale artworks in a former steel processing plant within a walking distance from Creative Center OSAKA as well. MASK is also open to the public only when events are held.

Opening Hours	10:30AM – 7:00PM / Opens only in case of an event held
Address	4-1-55 Kitakagaya, Suminoe-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	Kansai Airport Washington Hotel: A 10-station ride on Nankai Line Express Service from Rinku Town Station to Namba Station and a 5-station ride on Yotsubashi Line from Namba Station to Kitakagaya Station, then a 10-minute walk from Kitakagaya Station Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba: A 5-station ride on Yotsubashi Line from Namba Station to Kitakagaya Staion, then a 10-minute walk from Kitakagaya Station
URL	https://www.namura.cc/

“Dotonbori Art Street” allows you to take photos of photogenic wall arts

“Dotonbori Art Street” (道頓堀アートストリート), where wall art paintings are lined up on both banks between Daikokubashi Bridge and Shin-ebisubashi Bridge, is a hot spot that is gaining the attention of tourists’ in Osaka. Eight artists based in Osaka have worked on more than 30 colorful pieces under the theme of ‘Osaka-ness’. There are also artworks of advertisement in collaboration with Osaka-origin companies including ‘OLFA’, a pioneer of snap-off blade cutters, making it a casual urban museum that you can enjoy the way you want. When having found your favorite work, why don’t you take photos with you and post the best of the best shots to social media? On Instagram, you can browse many posts with hashtags such as ‘#dotonboriart’ and ‘#道頓堀アート’.

*Dotonbori and Dotombori imply the same area.

Opening Hours	All Year Round
Address	2-4-9 Dotombori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	Kansai Airport Washington Hotel: A 10-station ride on Nankai Line Express Service from Rinku Town Station to Namba Station, then a 9-minute walk from Nama Station Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba: An 8-minute walk
URL	https://www.wallshare-inc.com/project-dotonboriartstreet