The National Museum of Art, Osaka 国立国際美術館

An arrangement of metallic arches stretches into the sky, marking the location of this subterranean museum. The museum, which consists of three basement floors, has a collection of about 8,000 pieces of contemporary art from around the world, mainly from 1945 onward, and displays collections and holds special exhibitions several times a year.

You can reach the museum by train.

From Osaka/Umeda Station, walk to neighboring Nishi-Umeda Station and take the Yotsubashi subway line south to Higobashi Station. From there, walk northwest, crossing the bridge into Nakanoshima . You will find the National Museum of Art adjacent to the Osaka Science Museum, and one block away from the Mitsui Garden Hotel. The strange steel beams shooting out of the ground provide the best visual landmark.

Famed architect César Pelli, originally from Argentina, designed the building, which was inspired by the life force of bamboo, and the growth and development of contemporary art.

Exploring the works at the National Museum of Art, Osaka will take one to two hours. Consider taking a look inside the adjacent Osaka Science Museum, or heading east up Nakanoshima to find a pleasant promenade and park area stretching across the narrow island.