Oita Prefectural Art Museum (OPAM)

OPAM (the Oita Prefectural Art Museum) anchors the cultural life of Oita City and makes a rewarding side trip from nearby Beppu. The prefecture's flagship art venue pairs a rotating permanent collection with ambitious visiting exhibitions, a combination that has drawn shows ranging from Finnish design legend Kaj Franck to beloved local painter Higashi Katsukichi. Sculpture and installation spill beyond the gallery walls into the atrium and outdoors, so even a brief visit rewards a slow wander.

When to go

OPAM is open daily from 10 am, with extended evening hours until 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays: ideal for arriving after the midday rush. Weekday mornings tend to be quietest, giving you unhurried time with whichever exhibition is current.

“Well curated exhibition. Very easy to follow and understand, although some are only in japanese but the general english guide has done a great job to guide and form general understanding of historical and cultural context of the exhibition.”— Hanh M. Nguyen, Google review