As Expo 2025 gears up to spotlight innovation on a global stage, Osaka is making a bold artistic statement of its own. From May 28 to June 24, the city will host Osaka Art & Design 2025 (OAD2025)—a city-wide celebration that transforms Osaka’s bustling urban spaces into a vibrant canvas for art, design, and creativity.
Organized by the Osaka Art & Design 2025 Executive Committee—a powerhouse collaboration between top Japanese department stores and railway companies—the event spans over 60 venues across iconic neighborhoods like Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Abeno. More than 600 artists and brands from Japan and beyond will showcase their work, drawing an expected crowd of 650,000 visitors eager to explore the fusion of everyday life and artistic innovation.
Art Meets Everyday Life
With the theme “Overlaps – Converging Passions”, OAD2025 reimagines how people engage with art. Visitors will encounter unexpected creative moments in train stations, department stores, bars, and galleries, where installations, performances, pop-ups, and exhibitions blur the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary.
One highlight includes an immersive installation by artists Sayaka Miyata and Midori Hirota, who will connect the Osaka Umeda Twin Towers North with the Hankyu Department Store, transforming a familiar commute into a cultural experience. An official map and digital stamp rally—complete with digital gift card prizes—encourage exploration and participation across all exhibits.
A City Powered by Design
Produced by Akio Aoki, founder of DESIGNART INC., OAD2025 channels the city’s dynamic spirit. Known for challenging artistic norms, Aoki envisions this festival as a platform to ignite creativity and showcase Osaka’s ingenuity, energy, and international flair. Even Osaka’s legendary nightlife is part of the experience, with bar exhibitions and talks scheduled throughout the month-long celebration.
