7 best art exhibitions showing in Osaka right now

One of the most prolific artists of our time, Yayoi Kusama has created a strikingly diverse body of work spanning painting, sculpture, performance art and fashion. Yet across all mediums, her art is consistently defined by themes of obsessive repetition and proliferation, expressions she has described as a form of ‘self-therapy’ born from her hallucinations.

What sets Kusama apart is her ability to continually reinvent these signature motifs in imaginative ways. Her work always feels fresh, even as it remains instantly recognisable. This thematic continuity is on display in the small but curated exhibition now showing at Espace Louis Vuitton Osaka until January 2026. Titled ‘Infinity – Selected Works From The Collection’, the showcase brings together pieces from her early career through to her most recent creations.

The clear highlight of the exhibition is the Infinity Room, which transforms her repetitive motifs into a physical, immersive experience. ‘Infinity Mirror Room – Phalli’s Field (or Floor Show)’ (1965/2013) is one of the earliest works in her widely celebrated ‘Infinity Mirror Room’ series.

These are troubled times we live in – unpredictable and deeply anxiety-inducing. Just as we begin to move past the shock of a global pandemic, new uncertainties emerge: natural disasters, political unrest and rapidly evolving technologies that blur the line between fact and misinformation. It often feels as though we are living in a constant state of emergency, with no resolution in sight.

In moments like these, however, art offers a means of coping, and a way to imagine something beyond the chaos. Using today’s volatile climate as a starting point, 'Prolonged Emergencies' brings together thought-provoking works by eight artists to explore how we could begin to make sense of this ‘new normal’.

This is not an exhibition that sugar-coats, and there are no answers here. Instead, through a tightly curated collection of video art, photography, immersive and mixed media installations, you’ll encounter a range of perspectives and narratives on the present and possible futures.

World-renowned luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton is charting its rich history and unveiling its storied archives in a milestone exhibition that coincides with the ongoing Osaka Expo and commemorates the maison’s 170th anniversary. Held at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art through September 17, this immersive showcase also explores the brand’s long-standing cultural dialogue with Japan.

Curated by renowned fashion historian Florence Muller and designed by Shohei Shigematsu OMA, Visionary Journeys weaves an engaging narrative using more than 1,000 items – including archival pieces, sketches, artworks, trunks, bags and multimedia installations – alongside 200-plus traditional Japanese crafts.

One of the exhibition’s standout sections is 'Louis Vuitton and Japan', as it delves into the country's influence on the maison's designs. Here, the label’s early pieces inspired by Japan are displayed alongside contemporary collaborations with artists like Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Rei Kawakubo and Nigo. Rare pieces such as trunks crafted for traditional tea ceremonies are also on view.

Few artists have touched the soul of modern art as profoundly as Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890). In a mere decade, the Dutchman produced an astonishing body of work, including vivid landscapes, tormented portraits and expressive still lifes, that continues to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.

Yet Van Gogh’s posthumous fame owes much to those closest to him: his brother Theo, Theo’s wife Johanna, and their son Vincent Willem. Together, they ensured that the painter’s vision and legacy would endure for generations.

The first exhibition in Japan to focus on the Van Gogh family and their collection, ‘Van Gogh’s Home’ at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts features over 30 of its protagonist’s works, from early drawings to late masterpieces, as well as four letters shown on these shores for the first time. The display traces the journey of the collection from the artist’s death to the present day, with highlights including immersive digital experiences and rarely seen works by Van Gogh’s contemporaries.

‘Reshaped Reality: 50 Years of Hyperrealistic Sculpture’ is a highly acclaimed travelling exhibition currently on show at the architecturally striking Osaka Culturarium, Tempozan (designed by Osaka-born starchitect Tadao Ando) until October 13.

It features 39 hyperrealistic human sculptures by 27 world-renowned artists. This is the exhibition’s first showing in Japan, held as part of the Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025, and follows successful runs in Spain and the Netherlands.

The sculptures are uncannily lifelike; at times unnerving, yet deeply captivating. The human forms they portray may appear distorted or transformed, but are still startlingly realistic. They are awe-inspiring, yet they also prompt us to reflect on our own humanity, which is the exhibition’s main intention.

Miffy is a beloved fictional rabbit well-known around the world, created by Dutch picture book author and graphic designer Dick Bruna (1927–2017). For the adorable character’s 70th anniversary, Daimaru Umeda is hosting an exclusive exhibition at its 15th-floor museum until September 1.

From 1955 to 2009, Miffy has appeared in 32 picture books, and for the first time in Japan, the exhibition brings together original sketches and illustrations from the entire series. You’ll also get to delve deeper into three standout stories: Miffy Goes to Stay (1988), Dear Grandma Bunny (1996) and Miffy and the Long-Eared Rabbit (2006). Through these works, the exhibition examines Bruna’s bold design sensibility as well as his gentle and honest approach to heavy subjects such as loss.

Osaka’s Immersive Museum is a sensory art exhibition that utilises projection mapping, evocative lighting and sound effects to create a new way to engage with and enjoy classic artworks.

This year’s ‘Impressionism and Ukiyo-e’ is the third instalment of the experience, following the themes of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The 2025 edition explores paintings by Western masters Van Gogh and Monet alongside works by ukiyo-e superstars Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige.

The Museum also has two interactive areas where you can have your portrait painted in Van Gogh’s inimitable style or with a Hokusai-esque ukiyo-e vibe.