Kansai

Osaka City Central Public Hall Guide 2026: History, Highlights and How to Visit the Red-Brick Important Cultural Property, plus December Projection Mapping

Osaka City Central Public Hall in Nakanoshima is a red-brick Important Cultural Property completed in 1918. This guide covers its history from Iwamoto Einosuke’s donation to the restoration, the free basement exhibition room, Special Room guided tours, opening hours and access, and the free projection mapping from December 11 to 25, based on official information.

“Osaka City Central Public Hall Projection Mapping” from December 11; Snow, Stars and Santa Claus on an Important Cultural Property, Free to Watch

As the centerpiece of OSAKA Hikari-Renaissance 2026 in Nakanoshima, Osaka, images will be projected onto the east facade of Osaka City Central Public Hall, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. The event runs for 15 days, from Friday, December 11 to Friday, December 25, with screenings from 17:30 to 21:30. Viewing is free and no reservation is required. Here is a guide to the highlights, screening times, other events in Nakanoshima during the same period, and access.

[2026–2027] Illuminations and Light Events in the Kansai Region: Osaka Festival of the Lights, Kobe Luminarie and More

From Midosuji, Nakanoshima, Osaka Castle and Umeda in Osaka to Kobe, Nijo-jo Castle in Kyoto, Nara and Wakayama, we sort out 14 light events officially announced for this season in a consistent format for easy comparison.

Contemporary Craft Exhibition “Aikyakuko” at Kyoto’s Ginkaku-ji Ran Until November 10, with Tomioka Tessai’s Sliding-Door Paintings in a Normally Closed Study Hall

Works by 16 artists using clay, lacquer, glass and other materials were shown in the study hall and Shuhoken of Higashiyama Jishoji. The exhibition was supervised by Hiromi Kurosawa, former chief curator of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. Advance registration was required, and admission, including temple entry, was ¥3,000.

National Treasure “Daigo-ji Documents and Sacred Texts” Expands to 94,192 Items, with the Commemorative Exhibition “Prayers in 100,000 Items” at the Reihokan Through December 6

Following a survey of all some 100,000 items, the National Treasure designation of the documents and sacred texts handed down at Daigo-ji in Kyoto is being expanded. The temple’s Reihokan museum is holding a commemorative special exhibition showing Tawaraya Sotatsu’s “Scattered Fans” and the National Treasure Yakushi Triad.

“Mamoru Hosoda Origins Exhibition” Opens October 28 at Grand Front Osaka, with More Than 300 Production Materials from “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” and More

The exhibition of director Mamoru Hosoda’s production materials, which drew 250,000 visitors in Tokyo, tours to Osaka. It displays storyboards and key animation from “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” “Summer Wars” and other films, and opens at the Fukuoka City Museum in January 2027.

Moto Hagio Exhibition Opens December 19 at the Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art, with More Than 200 Original Drawings of Europe-Set Manga Including “The Poe Clan”

The Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art in Oyamazaki, Kyoto, holds an exhibition of original drawings by Moto Hagio for its 30th anniversary. Against the backdrop of her first trip abroad and study in Britain, it presents original art from manga set in Europe in a Western-style villa.

Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka Announces Two Special Exhibitions for Its 5th Anniversary: “All Stars” and Kaii Higashiyama, with Keiko Ueki as New Director

The Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka has announced two special exhibitions marking its 5th anniversary: “All Stars” in April 2027 and “Kaii Higashiyama: 120th Anniversary of His Birth” in October. Keiko Ueki became director on October 1.

Raphaël Zarka Exhibition at Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art from February 2027; French Artist Explores Geometry and Skateboarding

A solo exhibition of French artist Raphaël Zarka will be held at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art. According to the museum, it is his first full-scale solo exhibition in Japan, and new works made during his 2026 stay in Kyoto will also be shown. Tickets go on sale December 1.

Open Storage 2026 at MASK in Kitakagaya, Osaka: Large Works by Kohei Nawa and Others Shown Free

MASK, a storage facility in a former steel processing plant, opens large contemporary artworks to the public free of charge on Fridays, weekends and holidays, with Kohei Nawa as its main artist. In late November, Nawa and Damien Jalet will also stage the performance Prism.

KUBOSO YORU no SEKAI: Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts, Izumi Opens at Night for the First Time from December 12

The Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts, Izumi, which holds National Treasures, will host a light and video event marking the 70th anniversary of Izumi City’s municipal status. It features projection mapping in the concert hall, and the exhibitions can also be seen until 20:00.

PRISON BY NIGHT at Nara Prison Museum from December 4; Light and Video on an Important Cultural Property

Nara Prison Museum, which opens the former Nara Prison to the public, will hold its first night museum. The red-brick architecture is lit up, and in the preserved building lined with solitary cells, Seiichi Hishikawa creates a show of light, video and sound.

CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Ran Until November 8 at Three Temples in Nishijin, Including Myokenji, with 33 Exhibitors

An art fair spanning eras and fields, from antiques, crafts, modern art and contemporary art to Nordic ceramics and jewelry. Thirty-three exhibitors showed at Myokenji, Honpoji and Myokakuji, and the special exhibition “Ko + Gei” Kyoto 2026 was also held.

[Autumn/Winter 2026] Museum Guide to Nakanoshima, Osaka: Nakanoshima Museum of Art, National Museum of Art, Central Public Hall and More

The Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka opens an exhibition of Japanese art from the British Museum on October 31, and the National Museum of Art, Osaka opens a new special exhibition on December 1. Here are the exhibitions, prices and access for Nakanoshima’s museums and architecture.

“Vibrant Ming Calligraphy” at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts Until December 20; 72 Works from the Ho Chuang Shih Collection Shown in Japan for the First Time

The Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts presents 82 works of Ming dynasty calligraphy from the Ho Chuang Shih Calligraphy Foundation in Taipei, from Wen Zhengming and Dong Qichang, models for Edo-period “karayo” calligraphy, to Wang Duo and Fu Shan of the late Ming and early Qing. Osaka is the only venue.

[Autumn/Winter 2026] Museum Guide to Okazaki, Kyoto: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, National Museum of Modern Art and Hosomi Museum

From “Zen and Ghibli” at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art to the jewelry exhibition opening October 24 at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, here are the exhibitions in the Okazaki area with opening hours, prices, discounts and access, based on official information.

KYOTOGRAPHIE 2027 Opens April 17; Kyoto International Photography Festival to Include an Exhibition by the KG+ Award Winner

The Kyoto International Photography Festival “KYOTOGRAPHIE 2027” runs from April 17 to May 16. The theme and venues will be announced later, and the 2026 KG+SELECT award winner will hold an exhibition in the main program.

“Teppei Kaneuji: Smoke and Fog – Kashiwabara-juku on the Nakasendo” Until December 13; Shiga Museum of Art Exhibits Outside Its Walls in a Maibara Post Town

The second edition of “ASK,” a contemporary art exhibition the Shiga Museum of Art holds in three cities of the Kohoku area. At four venues in Kashiwabara, a former post town in Maibara, Teppei Kaneuji rearranges past works and shows new works drawing on local festivals and Mount Ibuki. Open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays only; admission is free.

ARTISTS’ FAIR KYOTO 2027 Opens March 5 at the Meiji Kotokan of the Kyoto National Museum

An art fair in which artists themselves plan, exhibit and sell their work will be held in Kyoto in March 2027. The open call for exhibitors was for artists aged 18 to 39, and the application guidelines said exhibitors would be announced around October.