Oita Prefectural Art Museum

©Hiroyuki Hirai

What is the Oita Prefectural Art Museum (OPAM)?

Opened in 2015 in the heart of Oita City’s Kotobuki-machi, the Oita Prefectural Art Museum (OPAM) is an art space that embodies the concept of “a museum of encounters and the five senses.” Designed by architect Shigeru Ban, its glass façade and bamboo craft-inspired exterior blend harmoniously with the surrounding cityscape and nature.

©Hiroyuki Hirai

The Four Concepts of OPAM

A museum that can be enjoyed through the five senses
OPAM aims to be a museum where visitors can enjoy art through a variety of perspectives and senses, appealing to their sensitivity and creativity.

A museum of encounters, new discoveries, and inspiration
By allowing various elements—such as local Oita culture and the wider world, classical and contemporary art, art and music—to intersect, OPAM seeks to create a place full of discovery and stimulation.

A museum that feels like your own living room
Designed to be approachable rather than intimidating, the museum offers a space where visitors can feel at home, as if relaxing in their own living room.

A museum that grows together with the people
OPAM provides diverse opportunities for learning and exchange, serving as a place for people of all generations—from children to the elderly—to experience and grow together.

Permanent Exhibits and Local Art to Enjoy All Year Round

A prestigious collection tied to Oita
With approximately 5,000 pieces in its collection, OPAM showcases works from a wide range of masters including Tanomura Chikuden of Bungo Nanga painting, Nihonga painters Heihachiro Fukuda and Tatsuo Takayama, sculptor Fumio Asakura, and bamboo craftsman Shounsai Shono. The permanent collection exhibits are organized so that visitors can enjoy them throughout the year, regardless of the season.

©Hiroyuki Hirai

Ways to Enjoy the Museum Beyond Exhibitions

Inside the glass-atrium space, visitors will find a café offering safe, healthy food made with local ingredients and a museum shop with a rich lineup of exhibition merchandise and limited original items. Even without viewing the exhibits, guests can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere. In addition, a wide variety of workshops are held regularly, welcoming participants of all ages from children to adults. Please refer to the museum's official website for event details.

©Hiroyuki Hirai

Architecture as Art – A Veranda-like Space That Connects With the City

Glass folding doors that connect the museum to the street
During select periods such as Golden Week and around October, a wall of folding doors opens to create a seamless connection between the atrium and the sidewalk. This veranda-like openness creates a festive atmosphere that spreads into the city.

Movable walls for ever-changing gallery layouts
Inside the atrium exhibition rooms, movable walls allow the display space to be changed flexibly depending on the exhibition. Visitors can enjoy discovering new aspects of the space with each visit.

Interior design that highlights the beauty of materials
The museum's interior includes a rippling lattice ceiling made from cedar, reminiscent of Oita’s traditional bamboo craftsmanship, and a courtyard known as “Amaniiwa” featuring modern craft installations. These design elements provide a tactile and sensory experience throughout the facility.

Conclusion: OPAM Is More Than Just a Place to Drop By

A space where tradition meets the contemporary, nature blends with the city, and people engage with artworks—OPAM offers more than just “viewing” art. It invites visitors to “experience” it as part of life and inspires new reasons to explore the city. Beyond its special exhibitions, the museum’s permanent collections, architecture, workshops, and café all make OPAM a destination worth visiting any time of year.