【Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025】Experience Art at the Expo Site — Artist Highlights & Access Guide
- kumiko ishigaki
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
Beginning April 11, the “Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025” launches its latest edition.
First held in 2022, this large-scale contemporary art festival was conceived in anticipation of the 2025 Osaka–Kansai Expo. With social impact as its core theme, the festival seeks to promote cultural and artistic engagement, drive economic revitalization, and bring pressing social issues to the forefront through artistic expression. This year, it will run for 186 days—from April 11 to October 13, 2025—mirroring the duration of the Expo, with a wide range of exhibitions and events taking place across Osaka.
This article focuses on the public artworks featured within the Expo site itself.
*Note: This ticket does not grant entry to the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
What is “EXPO PUBLIC ART”?
To fully harness the significance of the Expo and shape the cultural future of Osaka and the wider Kansai region, the “Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025” presents EXPO PUBLIC ART—a curated installation of public artworks by leading Japanese artists throughout the Expo grounds.
● A Message from Daisuke Suzuki, General Producer
In 2025, the Study festival will activate the Expo venue with public art that symbolizes dialogue and diversity of values. At the heart of the Expo stands an enormous ring, surrounded by expansive landscapes that evoke a miniature model of the Earth—a symbolic stage for global exchange.
In this imagined world, diverse cultures and philosophies intersect, giving rise to a new sense of unity in diversity. Here, where division is transcended, different peoples and beliefs converge in shared dialogue and co-creation.
Throughout this "virtual planet," public artworks will be strategically placed as symbolic beacons. These pieces will guide visitors into unfamiliar realms of thought and imagination. Through material, form, texture, and sound, they invite profound questions: “Who are we? Where are we going?”
As the first chapter in the festival’s programming, titled “An Invitation to a Diverse World,” EXPO PUBLIC ART serves as a foundational gesture toward rethinking civilization in the age of uncertainty. Amid growing challenges and global fragmentation, the need for spaces of hope becomes increasingly urgent. Through the creative and imaginative force of art, these installations seek to bridge divides and foster connections that will be remembered long after the Expo ends.
The “Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025” aims to provide visitors with a platform to reflect on the future, encouraging open dialogue and new perspectives through contemporary artistic expression.
Participating Artists (in alphabetical order):
OKUNAKA Akihito（奥中章人）
KANEUJI Teppei（金氏徹平）
HERALBONY Co., Ltd.（株式会社ヘラルボニー）
COOK
SceNE Project, RIHN（地球研）
DONECY
TOMINAGA Atsuya（冨長敦也）
NAKAJIMA Mugi（中島麦）
BAKIBAKI
HASHIGUCHI Lintalow（ハシグチリンタロウ）
HIWA Kazuhiko（檜皮一彦）
MIYAKE Mai（ミヤケマイ）
MORI Mariko（森万里子）
As of March 23. For the latest updates, please visit the festival’s official website
をご確認ください
Event Overview
Dates: April 13 (Sun) – October 13 (Mon), 2025
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Closed: Open daily (no holidays)
Tickets: A separate ticket is required to enter the Expo venue. Festival tickets do not grant access. 👉 [Click here for Expo ticket details]
Location: Yumeshima（夢洲）
【Yumeshima, Osaka】How to Access the Expo Site
The Osaka–Kansai Expo will take place on the artificial island of Yumeshima（夢洲）. Here are the main access options:
Osaka Metro Chuo Line Direct access via the newly built “Yumeshima Station.”
Shuttle Buses from Major Hubs Shuttle services are planned from 10 key locations within Osaka city and nearby areas.
Note: Private vehicles are not permitted on Yumeshima. Visitors arriving by car must use designated parking areas in Maishima（舞洲）, Amagasaki（尼崎）, or Sakai（堺） and transfer to shuttle buses.
Additional transport such as direct buses from airports, long-distance coach lines, and ferries are currently under review by various operators. 👉 Please check the Expo’s official website for transportation updates.
Must-See Spots Around Yumeshima（夢洲）
After exploring the art installations, take some time to enjoy the rich surroundings of Yumeshima.
● Tenpōzan（天保山） – Stunning Views of Osaka Bay
Located near Osaka Metro's “Osakakō Station（大阪港）,” the Tenpōzan area offers panoramic bay views, especially beautiful at sunset. Sunset and night-time cruises are also available for a peaceful escape from the crowds.
● Kaiyukan – Osaka’s Iconic Aquarium
One of the largest aquariums in the world, Kaiyukan is a favorite for families but offers plenty for adults as well. Highlights include massive tanks with whale sharks and mesmerizing jellyfish displays that appeal to all ages.
● Osaka Culturarium at Tenpōzan – “Reshaped Reality” Exhibition
Formerly the Suntory Museum and now repurposed as a cultural center designed by Tadao Ando, the Osaka Culturarium will host the “Reshaped Reality” exhibition from April 11 to October 13 as part of the festival.
Please click here for more details about 「Reshaped Reality」 Exhibition
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Combining a visit to the Expo with nearby attractions around Yumeshima guarantees an enriching and unforgettable day.We encourage you to enjoy the art festival alongside the Expo, and discover the creative energy of Osaka and Kansai in 2025.
![[April–October] What is "Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025"? Venues, Programs, and Ticket Info Summary](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db0d13_1d8bea87d8cb457fb63fa1154690c8f0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_672,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/db0d13_1d8bea87d8cb457fb63fa1154690c8f0~mv2.png)