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Osaka Art & Design × Living Architecture Museum Osaka

Minami Tour: Exploring Osaka’s Iconic Department Stores
and the Legacy of Two Master Architects

Photo by Shigeo Ogawa

  • # shinsaibashi
  • # namba

  • # DepartmentStore
  • # TogoMurano
  • # TadaoAndo

Minami, which refers to the Shinsaibashi and Namba areas, is the vibrant heart of Osaka’s commercial scene. It boasts an extraordinary array of architectural landmarks, ranging from early modern icons to contemporary masterpieces.
On this tour, architectural historian Shunsuke Kurakata, a board member of Living Architecture Museum Osaka, will guide you through Minami, home to glamorous department store architecture and the modern works of two celebrated Osaka architects: Togo Murano and Tadao Ando.

Feature

Main Building of Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store
A magnificent department store that carries on the design legacy of William Merrell Vories. This tour offers rare access to areas normally closed to the public, where participants will learn about the architectural techniques that made this preservation possible.
The Architecture of Togo Murano
This tour explores the work of Togo Murano, one of Japan’s most iconic 20th-century architects, and delves into the distinctive features of his design style.
The Architecture of Tadao Ando
Tadao Ando is a world-renowned architect and the pride of Osaka. Participants will visit commercial buildings in Higashi-Shinsaibashi that clearly showcase the distinctive features of his early architectural style, as well as the interior of a compact house in Nipponbashi that he originally designed as a micro-residence.
The Eastern Annex of Osaka Takashimaya
The building’s series of 11 arches facing Sakaisuji Avenue and its elegant Art Deco design have been beautifully preserved as part of a hotel. Now designated as a National Important Cultural Property, the building also houses the Takashimaya Archives, which participants will visit during the tour.
Date & Time:
June 21 （Sat） 9:00–11:30
Duration:
Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
Tour Guide:
Shunsuke Kurakata（Architectural historian, Professor at Osaka Metropolitan University, Board Member of Living Architecture Museum Osaka）
Participation Fee:
¥3,000
How to Apply:
Advance application required（selection by lottery）
Application Period:
May 7（Wed） - May 28 （Wed） (until 23:59 on May 28)
Capacity:
20 participants
  • * Notification of lottery results will be sent only to selected participants by email.
  • * Some parts of the tour involve the use of stairs.
  • * Participants must be elementary school age or older.
  • * Tour destinations may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
  • * English interpretation is available upon request. If you would like interpretation, please indicate this in the application form.
  • * The tour may end slightly earlier or later depending on the day’s circumstances.
  • * Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes as you will be walking for a long time. (The tour will proceed even in light rain.)

▶ Apply