Oita Prefectural Art Museum OPAM

The Oita Prefectural Art Museum, commonly known as OPAM, opened in April 2015 in the heart of Oita City. The building was designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban, who is known for his innovative designs that often incorporate structural elements made of cardboard and paper. The building was the recipient of a RIBA International Award for excellence in 2016. The museum's architecture itself is distinctive, with an exterior encased in a wooden facade which resembles woven bamboo handicrafts, and features large glass walls that fold up, blending the indoor and outdoor spaces.

The museum was established as a successor to the Oita Prefectural Art Center, which operated from 1977 to 2012. The permanent collection has been amassed by Oita Prefectural Art Center over the last 40 years and now houses over 5,000 pieces focusing on artists connected to Oita Prefecture. The collection emphasizes painters of the Nanga School from the Edo period to the Meiji and Taisho periods, particularly Tanomura Chikuden (1777-1835), who established the Bungo Nanga school of painting. The museum also features works by modern painters Fukuda Heihachiro and Takayama Tatsuo, as well as bamboo crafts by Shono Shounsai (1904-74), the first bamboo artist to have been honoured with the title of Living National Treasure.

Visitors enter through a large atrium featuring a museum shop and space for large art installations. The art galleries are located on the third floor of the museum and can be accessed via a spacious entryway with a gently curved, wood lattice ceiling. The atrium space is free to enter and includes a café on the second floor. The museum hosts four to five special exhibitions annually covering diverse themes and featuring both Japanese and international artists. OPAM also offers a wide range of educational programs, from guided tours and lectures to workshops, art classes, open studios and community programs.

Admission to the permanent collection costs 300 yen for general admission and 200 yen for university and high school students. Junior high school students and younger enter free, and special exhibitions carry additional fees. The museum is located approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Oita Station. Oita Station is a 15-minute train ride from Beppu (340 yen one way, covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass). Visitors can also take the Oita-CANBUS from bus platform 7 in front of the station to Oashisuhiroba-mae bus stop. By car, the museum is 10 minutes from Oita IC. Parking is available with 143 outdoor spaces operating 24 hours, free for the first 30 minutes, then 200 yen for up to 1 hour.