Written by Aarohi Narain
This is a major contemporary art festival in Osaka.
What to expect
Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival is an international contemporary art event.
Visitors can explore a variety of artistic experiences throughout Osaka. Walk through Nishinari, Semba, and the Bay Area to discover immersive installations, performances, and exhibits. The festival features international and local artists, including Ron Mueck, Patricia Piccinini, and Maurizio Cattelan (of duct-taped banana fame), alongside emerging Japanese talent.
Families are encouraged to attend, as the festival is family-friendly, with free entry for junior high school students and younger.
The festival will be held at various iconic venues, including the Osaka-Kansai Expo site (Yumeshima), Osaka Culturarium Tempozan (designed by Tadao Ando), Osaka Prefectural International Conference Center (Nakanoshima, designed by Kisho Kurokawa), and the Nishinari-Semba Area.
Schedule 2025
The festival runs from April 13 to October 13. It coincides with the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
A key highlight is the Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair, a collaborative event between Japan and the Republic of Korea, running from July 21 to 23, at Grand Cube Osaka. Celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations, this fair will showcase diverse contemporary art and offer visitors the chance to purchase works from leading artists across Asia.
Tickets
Advance tickets are available until April 12, 2025, offering a better deal than tickets purchased during the event. Purchase your tickets online.
Exhibition Passport
The Exhibition Passport allows entry to each exhibition venue once during the event. This ticket does not include entry to the Osaka-Kansai Expo or the Art Fair.
Advance tickets cost ¥3,000 for adults, while tickets purchased at the door are ¥3,500.
Exhibition & Art Fair Set Pass
The Exhibition & Art Fair Set Pass includes access to all exhibition venues and the Art Fair. Early bird buyers will receive a special tote bag at the Art Fair venue.
Advance tickets cost ¥5,000, while tickets purchased at the door are ¥6,000 for adults.
How to get there
The festival is spread across multiple locations in Osaka.
- To Osaka Culturarium Tempozan: Take the Osaka Metro Chūō Line to Osakako Station, then walk about 5 minutes.
- To Osaka-Kansai Expo Site (Yumeshima): Take the Osaka Metro Chūō Line to Cosmosquare Station, then transfer to the Expo 2025 Line.
- To Osaka Prefectural International Conference Center (Nakanoshima): Take the Keihan Nakanoshima Line to Nakanoshima Station or the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line to Higobashi Station.
- To Nishinari-Semba Area: Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Dobutsuen-mae Station or the JR Loop Line to Shin-Imamiya Station.