Oita Prefectural Art Museum

The museum first opened in central Oita in 2015, is also called OPAM. Being a “museum of encounter and the five senses”, they host special exhibitions for diverse artistic genres including traditional arts, contemporary arts, performing arts, as well as artworks related to the Oita Prefecture.

A “museum visitors can think as their living room” and a “museum that grows with the citizens of the prefecture” are the museum basic concepts. The museum aims to allow visitors to drop in easily without any reservation, and to grow with citizens of all ages, from children to the elderly.

The museum was designed by the prominent architect, Shigeru Ban, and others. The building consists of spaces with an open feeling, such as a glass atrium that allows sunlight to stream in and a unique ceiling inspired by traditional bamboo crafts.

Collections are exhibited several times a year with different themes. The central artworks are calligraphy and paintings by Chikuden Tanomura, who established the foundation of "Bungo Nanga," a painting style in the Edo period; as well as works by the modern Japanese painting masters, Heihachiro Fukuda and Tatsuo Takayama. Workshops are often held for citizens to participate in, and there is also a café where visitors can relax after their visit and a museum store where they can purchase local artists’ items.