Featured Events in Osaka in January, 2025 (February Updated)

It is often said that it is difficult to understand what is depicted in 20th century art. But is that really the case? The 20th century, which experienced major wars in succession and is also known as the "century of refugees," was a time when many artists were forced to leave the lands they were used to living in and emigrate. In particular, artists who traveled to the United States pioneered new forms of expression, such as abstract expressionism, pop art, and minimal art, by promoting abstract expressionism. At the same time, the loneliness and alienation they felt in a foreign land continued to smolder deep questions that could not be easily answered, such as who they were and what art is. This was spurred on by the capitalist society of mass production and mass consumption. For example, after the sudden death of Marilyn Monroe in 1962, Warhol often created works with her as the subject, but we must not ignore the inner conflict of the great actress engraved in her death. The self that we really want to be, and the self that is forced to play the role of a seductive woman for the sake of a consumer society. Perhaps a similar conflict led Warhol to utter these not-so-simple words: "If you want to know everything about Andy Warhol... just look at the surface. That's where I am. There's nothing behind." Don't overthink it, start by taking a good look at the "surface." Enjoy the various "surfaces" with your eyes and heart, featuring 39 pieces of 20th century art from the Ohara Museum of Art (originally planned to be 35 pieces) and the Yakushi Nyorai standing statue (special exhibit) from our museum's collection.

It is often said that it is difficult to understand what is depicted in 20th century art. But is that really the case? The 20th century, which experienced major wars in succession and is also known as the "century of refugees," was a time when many artists were forced to leave the lands they were used to living in and emigrate. In particular, artists who traveled to the United States pioneered new forms of expression, such as abstract expressionism, pop art, and minimal art, by promoting abstract expressionism. At the same time, the loneliness and alienation they felt in a foreign land continued to smolder deep questions that could not be easily answered, such as who they were and what art is. This was spurred on by the capitalist society of mass production and mass consumption. For example, after the sudden death of Marilyn Monroe in 1962, Warhol often created works with her as the subject, but we must not ignore the inner conflict of the great actress engraved in her death. The self that we really want to be, and the self that is forced to play the role of a seductive woman for the sake of a consumer society. Perhaps a similar conflict led Warhol to utter these not-so-simple words: "If you want to know everything about Andy Warhol... just look at the surface. That's where I am. There's nothing behind." Don't overthink it, start by taking a good look at the "surface." Enjoy the various "surfaces" with your eyes and heart, featuring 39 pieces of 20th century art from the Ohara Museum of Art (originally planned to be 35 pieces) and the Yakushi Nyorai standing statue (special exhibit) from our museum's collection.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), a late Edo period ukiyo-e artist, is known for his unique creativity and novel designs, and is very popular both in Japan and abroad. This exhibition is the final edition of Kuniyoshi's exhibition, and will display about 300 works, including ukiyo-e prints of various themes such as warrior paintings and opera paintings, as well as precious hand-painted paintings.

Osaka Museum of History will hold a special exhibition "Excavation! Daimyo's Storehouses - Rice, Goods, and People Gathered in the 'Kitchen of the Nation'" in the Special Exhibition Room on the 6th floor from Saturday, January 11, 2025 to Monday, March 3, 2025. During the Edo period, Osaka flourished as the nation's kitchen. Many feudal domains built storehouses in and around Nakanoshima to sell rice tax and local specialties. The number of storehouses reached over 120 during the Tenpo era (around 1840). This exhibition will portray the actual state of the storehouses, which supported the finances of feudal domains throughout Japan and were the driving force behind the development of Osaka, including the birth of the Dojima Rice Market, while also introducing drawings and ancient documents, focusing on the results of the latest excavation surveys. In recent years, many storehouses have been surveyed in and around Nakanoshima, revealing a variety of storehouse styles, from those equipped with a shipyard, storehouse, and palace, such as those in Saga, Hiroshima, and Takamatsu domains, to those in Akita's Yajima domain, which had no shipyard and only had a storehouse covering the entire site. Based on excavated wooden tablets, shells, ceramics, etc., it is now possible to depict the work, lifestyle, and interactions within the residences. By taking a bird's-eye view of these storehouses from their birth to their demise, we hope to provide an opportunity to widely publicize the important role and importance that Osaka played in early modern Japanese society. We will shed new light on the Osaka storehouses, a historical heritage that represents the city of Osaka, along with Naniwa Palace and Osaka Castle.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between Shanghai and Osaka. Commemorating this event, The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has collaborated with the Shanghai Museum to organize a special exhibition titled “Resonating Treasures of Chinese Ceramics—Shanghai Museum X The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka.” Since its opening in 1952, the Shanghai Museum has become a prominent institution in China, renowned for its impressive collection of Chinese artifacts. Notable works in this treasure trove include bronze vessels, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, jade works, and currency. The museum's ceramics collection is considered one of the finest in the world. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has fostered a friendly relationship with the Shanghai Museum through collaborative exhibitions and academic exchanges.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between Shanghai and Osaka. Commemorating this event, The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has collaborated with the Shanghai Museum to organize a special exhibition titled “Resonating Treasures of Chinese Ceramics—Shanghai Museum X The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka.” Since its opening in 1952, the Shanghai Museum has become a prominent institution in China, renowned for its impressive collection of Chinese artifacts. Notable works in this treasure trove include bronze vessels, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, jade works, and currency. The museum's ceramics collection is considered one of the finest in the world. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has fostered a friendly relationship with the Shanghai Museum through collaborative exhibitions and academic exchanges.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between Shanghai and Osaka. Commemorating this event, The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has collaborated with the Shanghai Museum to organize a special exhibition titled “Resonating Treasures of Chinese Ceramics—Shanghai Museum X The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka.” Since its opening in 1952, the Shanghai Museum has become a prominent institution in China, renowned for its impressive collection of Chinese artifacts. Notable works in this treasure trove include bronze vessels, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, jade works, and currency. The museum's ceramics collection is considered one of the finest in the world. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has fostered a friendly relationship with the Shanghai Museum through collaborative exhibitions and academic exchanges.

Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum exhibits ukiyo-e prints published in Osaka during the Edo period. Many of the ukiyo-e prints from Osaka depict actors appearing in Kabuki, which was performed mainly in Dotonbori. Kabuki performances have various roles, such as leading or female roles, villain or clown roles, rough or gentle roles, and actors are required to perform according to the role. In Kabuki, which is performed by male actors of all ages and genders, the role is also an important viewing point for the audience. In particular, stories in which the villain is defeated in a satisfying way are an essential setting for Kabuki. Therefore, this exhibition focuses on plays related to the villain, who plays a villain. Villains are classified according to the nature of their evil deeds and their status. There are also a variety of villains, from truly hateful characters to characters who seem to be enemies but actually have hidden true feelings. Please take a look at the actor pictures to see the charm of the antagonist, who brings out the best in the main character played by a star actor and livens up the play.

Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum exhibits ukiyo-e prints published in Osaka during the Edo period. Many of the ukiyo-e prints from Osaka depict actors appearing in Kabuki, which was performed mainly in Dotonbori. Kabuki performances have various roles, such as leading or female roles, villain or clown roles, rough or gentle roles, and actors are required to perform according to the role. In Kabuki, which is performed by male actors of all ages and genders, the role is also an important viewing point for the audience. In particular, stories in which the villain is defeated in a satisfying way are an essential setting for Kabuki. Therefore, this exhibition focuses on plays related to the villain, who plays a villain. Villains are classified according to the nature of their evil deeds and their status. There are also a variety of villains, from truly hateful characters to characters who seem to be enemies but actually have hidden true feelings. Please take a look at the actor pictures to see the charm of the antagonist, who brings out the best in the main character played by a star actor and livens up the play.

Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum exhibits ukiyo-e prints published in Osaka during the Edo period. Many of the ukiyo-e prints from Osaka depict actors appearing in Kabuki, which was performed mainly in Dotonbori. Kabuki performances have various roles, such as leading or female roles, villain or clown roles, rough or gentle roles, and actors are required to perform according to the role. In Kabuki, which is performed by male actors of all ages and genders, the role is also an important viewing point for the audience. In particular, stories in which the villain is defeated in a satisfying way are an essential setting for Kabuki. Therefore, this exhibition focuses on plays related to the villain, who plays a villain. Villains are classified according to the nature of their evil deeds and their status. There are also a variety of villains, from truly hateful characters to characters who seem to be enemies but actually have hidden true feelings. Please take a look at the actor pictures to see the charm of the antagonist, who brings out the best in the main character played by a star actor and livens up the play.

Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum exhibits ukiyo-e prints published in Osaka during the Edo period. Many of the ukiyo-e prints from Osaka depict actors appearing in Kabuki, which was performed mainly in Dotonbori. Kabuki performances have various roles, such as leading or female roles, villain or clown roles, rough or gentle roles, and actors are required to perform according to the role. In Kabuki, which is performed by male actors of all ages and genders, the role is also an important viewing point for the audience. In particular, stories in which the villain is defeated in a satisfying way are an essential setting for Kabuki. Therefore, this exhibition focuses on plays related to the villain, who plays a villain. Villains are classified according to the nature of their evil deeds and their status. There are also a variety of villains, from truly hateful characters to characters who seem to be enemies but actually have hidden true feelings. Please take a look at the actor pictures to see the charm of the antagonist, who brings out the best in the main character played by a star actor and livens up the play.

This exhibition presents the first major retrospective of the work of artist Shizuko Yoshikawa (1934–2019) and leading Swiss graphic designer Josef Müller-Brockmann (1914–1996). Both were Zurich artists, engaged in artistic and educational activities. Even after Müller-Brockmann's death, Yoshikawa continued to work as a painter in Zurich until his later years.

A symbol of Taisho romanticism, Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934), who took the world by storm with his "Yumeji-style beauties," was an artist who best exuded the mature charm of modern Japanese art and culture from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. Yumeji was active in a wide range of genres, including not only painting but also magazines, sheet music, book covers, and the design of everyday items, and his work continues to fascinate us even today. This exhibition introduces Yumeji's artistic career and appeal through approximately 180 works and documents selected from a new perspective based on the latest research, centered on the carefully selected collection held by the Yumeji Local Museum. Please come and enjoy the world of Yumeji to your heart's content at the venue.

A symbol of Taisho romanticism, Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934), who took the world by storm with his "Yumeji-style beauties," was an artist who best exuded the mature charm of modern Japanese art and culture from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. Yumeji was active in a wide range of genres, including not only painting but also magazines, sheet music, book covers, and the design of everyday items, and his work continues to fascinate us even today. This exhibition introduces Yumeji's artistic career and appeal through approximately 180 works and documents selected from a new perspective based on the latest research, centered on the carefully selected collection held by the Yumeji Local Museum. Please come and enjoy the world of Yumeji to your heart's content at the venue.

Toyotomi Hideyori was born in 1593 as the second son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan who was already in his later years. He grew up surrounded by the love and expectations of those around him, but his life changed dramatically with his father's death. The system that had supported the young Hideyori collapsed, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had subsequently gained power, threatened Hideyori and the Toyotomi clan. Finally, in 1615, the Toyotomi clan was destroyed along with Osaka Castle. This exhibition introduces the approximately 20 years that Hideyori walked through, focusing on the people who surrounded him, the battles that were turning points in his life, and the social movements that changed his life.

K-pop boy band ENHYPEN is set to launch their upcoming 'Walk The Line' world tour from 2024 to 2025.

Information Security Expo Osaka is a special exhibition where all products of information security measures will be exhibited in one place Information Security Expo Osaka is a special exhibition where all products of information security measures will be exhibited in one place.  Information Source: Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd. | expotobi

The Osaka Half Marathon was first held in 2006, and in the past two decades it has grown into one of the most famous half marathons in Japan. More than 6,000 runners participate each year. It features a strict time limit (2 hours and 5 minutes) and a unique course setting.

The Osaka Castle Illuminage, which is popular every year, will be held again this year! There are many areas that reproduce Osaka's history, areas that reproduce Osaka's famous spots, and areas for enjoying activities. You can enjoy the fantastic illuminations throughout Osaka.

The Osaka Castle Illuminage, which is popular every year, will be held again this year! There are many areas that reproduce Osaka's history, areas that reproduce Osaka's famous spots, and areas for enjoying activities. You can enjoy the fantastic illuminations throughout Osaka.

The "Detective Conan Exhibition 30th Anniversary Exhibition" will be held at the special venue of Osaka Yomiuri TV from December 18, 2024 to January 8, 2025. The history of Detective Conan will be introduced in detail in 6 major exhibition areas, including It includes famous quotes, a list of criminals, event information, Conan's opponent "Phantom Thief Kidd" and special videos. There are also Detective Conan Osaka-limited products on site, which Conan fans must not miss!

The "Detective Conan Exhibition 30th Anniversary Exhibition" will be held at the special venue of Osaka Yomiuri TV from December 18, 2024 to January 8, 2025. The history of Detective Conan will be introduced in detail in 6 major exhibition areas, including It includes famous quotes, a list of criminals, event information, Conan's opponent "Phantom Thief Kidd" and special videos. There are also Detective Conan Osaka-limited products on site, which Conan fans must not miss!

The "Detective Conan Exhibition 30th Anniversary Exhibition" will be held at the special venue of Osaka Yomiuri TV from December 18, 2024 to January 8, 2025. The history of Detective Conan will be introduced in detail in 6 major exhibition areas, including It includes famous quotes, a list of criminals, event information, Conan's opponent "Phantom Thief Kidd" and special videos. There are also Detective Conan Osaka-limited products on site, which Conan fans must not miss!

Come together to deliver the blade that cuts through darkness! The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba XR Ride features a brand-new story! Having grown stronger from fighting in fierce battles, Tanjiro is by your side as you are challenged to defend Swordsmith Village at all costs! The battle against Gyokko, Hantengu, and the other Upper Rank Demons intensifies as Tokito and Kanroji join in the fight. In the midst of combat, you set out on the ultimate journey to deliver a sword to Tanjiro with your own hands! Immersed in the 360 degrees of VR images and the fusion of the ride's speed and pull of gravity, you'll find the Breathing techniques and the Blood Demon Arts come to life before your eyes! Take up the challenge in this life-or-death struggle as a vital link to achieve the goal. Event Period*: Jul. 19, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025 *Event period is subject to change. For more information, please refer to the official Universal Studios Japan website.

In the second half of the 19th century, Impressionism was overthrown and Western music began to be criticized. Painters studying legal countries had new ways of expression, and each country showed its independence. The main focus of this exhibition is the museum's collection of Impressionist works, which have been collected near the museum since the museum opened in 1898. The exhibition especially points out various aspects of beautiful Impressionism and traces each film and movie together.

An unprecedented exhibition, revealing – for the first time – extraordinary photographs taken by Paul McCartney. In this show, we focus on portraits captured by McCartney, using his own camera, between December 1963 and February 1964 – a time when The Beatles were catapulted from a British sensation to a global phenomenon. These never-before-seen images offer a uniquely personal perspective on what it was like to be a ‘Beatle’ at the start of ‘Beatlemania’ – and adjusting from playing gigs on UK stages, to performing to 73 million Americans on The Ed Sullivan Show. At a time when so many camera lenses were on the band, Paul McCartney’s photographs offer a crucial new perspective on the story of a band creating cultural history – in one of its most exciting chapters.

A drawing begins with a line. There are many types of lines, such as curved, straight, dotted, and wavy lines. And the expression of the line will change depending on the material used for drawing. Pencils or pens can draw thin and sharp lines, while charcoal or chalk can draw thick and soft lines. In traditional Japanese painting, lines are regarded as an important element that expresses the artist's personality. Line drawing is a sketch of a finished work that aims to clearly outline the form of an object. In the world of lines, by dividing and depicting various existences in the world, each object is fixed in the field of meaning. In this process, the abstract concept of contour lines that do not exist in reality becomes the basis of painting. On the other hand, after entering the modern era, the expression of lines has been given independent value. In abstract paintings born after the 20th century, the plasticity of lines has begun to attract attention. Painters began to pursue new line creations, which made lines begin to show unprecedented diversity and expressiveness. Therefore, while being the origin of painting, lines have also begun to become an ancient and novel theme. This exhibition will select about 150 works from the collection, mainly prints and drawings, supplemented by paintings, sculptures and photography, to show the diversity of line expression in modern art. This exhibition will provide an interesting place for the audience to explore the visual role of lines that are not often paid attention to in daily life.