How to enjoy the Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
Enjoy the Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum even more!Recommended course
This is our suggested course for how best to enjoy the Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum.
The guide is also packed with tidbits of information so you can learn more!
We will tell you many of the charming aspects of the Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum so you can enjoy yourself even if you generally feel bored by or are not very interested in museums.
Start at the museum reception. Head to the 27th floor of the Umeda Sky Building Tower West!
The museum is in Tower West of the Umeda Sky Building.
Take the high-rise elevator to the 27th floor. You will be greeted at the reception with a giant picture of the sun. When you enter the museum, you will be given glasses to view the 3-D images.
Tower West entrance
Museum Reception Desk
Notes about starting off
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Note that you cannot get to the museum from Tower East, which leads to the sky garden observatory
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Discount tickets that include entry to the museum and to the sky garden observatory are available for just 2,000 yen!
Feel the art for yourself in the fantastical symbol zone! Take off for the skies of Koji Kinutani World
When you enter, the staff will first guide you to the Symbol Zone. You can see the "Celebration- Flying Dragon Funi Homon" painting, which is hung in a space that evokes an image of the sky.
Your journey to Koji Kinutani World starts here.
Symbol Zone
World's first dive into pictures!
Powerful 3-D image experience
Experience overwhelming 3-D images on a 3 m x 14 m round screen! You can enjoy a theme park atmosphere enveloped in a world of paintings and music. You won't be able to keep your hands from reaching out to touch the fluttering flower petals and the dragon, thunder god and wind god coming right at you.
Dynamic and delicate.
Revel in the Blue and Red Kinutani Worlds
The exhibition hall is divided into two zones: a "blue" exhibition zone that evokes the blueness of the skies of Italy where Mr. Kinutani had studied abroad, and a "red" exhibition zone that showcases the spirit of traditional Japan through red walls and lattices. Twice a year, special exhibitions featuring different themes are held, with works in line with the prevailing concepts being displayed on the walls of each exhibition hall. In addition to other works, visitors can enjoy the colorful and vibrant frescos (classic mural paintings) that can be considered the very roots of Kinutani's art.
Exhibition Zone 「BLUE」
Exhibition Zone「RED」
We recommend viewing at sunset!
View over Osaka from the Tenku Gallery
Photography is permitted in the Tenku Gallery, making it perfect for commemorative photos.
It is also an out-of-the-way spot for picturesque views, where you can look down on the Yodogawa river flowing through the cityscape of Osaka. The view at sunset is especially beautiful. Sunset times are posted on the wall, so please enjoy the beautiful view as the sun goes down.
Tenku Gallery
Notes about starting off
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You may exit and re-enter the museum on your date of admission. Please come back again for the sunset or night view.
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There are three carpeted places on the floor depicting bird's eye views of famous Osaka sites. Be sure to see them all.
VR
Experience "VR (virtual reality) video content that brings you closer to the artist" in Koji Kinutani's studio!
You can enjoy a powerful VR experience that brings you closer to the artist, including a tour of the museum by Koji Kinutani himself as well as a rare talk in his Tokyo studio which is normally closed to visitors.
Are you looking for more than Kinutani works?!
Enjoy a workshop by reserving in advance
If you feel inspired looking at Kinutani's works and sense your desire to try drawing bubbling up inside you, we hold a regular workshop at the museum that you would enjoy.
There are a range of programs for all ages, from hands-on fresco (mural) painting to painting classes with lectures by Koji Kinutani himself. Will this be your opportunity to blossom and show your artistic talent?
※ Reservations are required for workshop participation. Check for notices and event information!
workshop
- A work created in the hands-on fresco (mural) painting workshop
Notes about starting off
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Even when the workshop is not in session, there are always sketchbooks and crayons in the drawing corner of this space.
Please feel free to come enjoy yourself by drawing pictures.
While immersing yourself in the glow of the art…
Take a break at the Tenku cafe
The Tenku cafe has a rich, colorful, artistic atmosphere.
It is decorated with items reminiscent of the colorful paint bottles used for fresco painting. It is the best place to be immersed in the afterglow when you finish enjoying the artwork. The food menu features snacks such as baguette sandwiches and fondant chocolate, and the drink menu has a variety of beverages from colorful sodas to coffee and beer. Sit in the couple seats by the windows and look out at the scenery as you relax in the cafe.
Tenku cafe
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- God Mountain Coffee
- This specialty coffee is spicy and deeply sweet, made with "God Mountain" coffee beans, harvested from the spiritual island of Bali, where it is said that the gods live.
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- Italian soda
- The three varieties of soda meant to evoke Koji Kinutani works. It's fun to choose according to your favorite work!
Blue: The Seven Gods of Good Fortune Riding the Surf (Blue lemonade flavor)
Yellow: Mt. Fuji on a Golden Background and the Sun, Fujin (God of Wind),
Raijin (God of Thunder) (Japanese citron flavor)
Pink: Celebration - Flying Dragon Funi Homon (Pink grapefruit flavor)
Notes about starting off
- You can also go to the cafe without entering the museum. Please feel free to refresh yourself here anytime.※ No admission fee to enter the cafe.
Come back again to finish off your visit!
Complete your visit by watching the 3-D images
Once you have gone completely through the museum, we recommend returning to look at the 3-D images once again. You will be delighted with discoveries that you can only notice once you have fully appreciated Kinutani's works. Enjoy a sensation different from the impact you felt when you first saw them.
Notes about starting off
The 3-D images can be viewed as many times as you like while you are in the museum.
3-D images
Buy souvenirs to remember the day with at the Museum Shop
The shop is well stocked with a variety of goods featuring motifs from the works, original postcards, and more. They are ideal for souvenirs for yourself or as gifts for loved ones. Why not liven up your daily life by incorporating the colorful energy of Kinutani's works?
Museum Shop
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- Mug
- Mugs are popular gifts. Great for pairs, too!
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- Notebook
3-color ballpoint pen with mechanical pencil - Convenient carry-size notebook. We recommend purchasing as a set with ballpoint pens.
- Notebook
