Osaka Art & Design 2026
Osaka Art & Design 2026 is like a treasure hunt. This four-week-long creative festival features a host of exhibitions, events and activities across the city's main hubs, from Umeda, Nakanoshima and Abeno to Honmachi, Shinsaibashi and Namba.
And it's not just museums and galleries either. You'll find visual arts, installations, product designs and more in a wide variety of spaces including department stores, train stations, commercial facilities and home interior shops. Since its debut in 2023, the city-wide festival has become a staple in Osaka’s annual art calendar. Last year, it attracted 760 creators with exhibits scattered across 65 venues.
The theme for 2026 is 'Infinitize Your Creation/Imagination', which aims to channel the global inspiration from last year's Osaka Expo into new creative expressions. You can expect works by emerging Japanese and international artists and designers across various disciplines.
Highlights include installations by contemporary artist Yuichi Hirako at Hankyu Umeda Main Store's display windows on the concourse floor (May 20–June 22) and the Festival Plaza (May 27–June 8) on the 9th floor, as well as a group exhibition inspired by the mythical phoenix at Daimaru Shinsaibashi (May 29–June 25). Kenji Yanobe, the creator behind the adorable 'catstronaut' character Ship's Cat, will have a pop-up at Takashimaya Osaka from May 27 to June 16.
If you're seeking something more unconventional, Art Area B1, a unique art space located in the B1...