Eight manga artists have created murals for Kansai International Airport as part of CULTURE GATE to JAPAN.
"The Crafts Route" series of murals by YAMADA Yoshihiro are inspired by Kansai region crafts, including Shigaraki ceramics pictured here.
Kansai's Tamba area is famous for bountiful harvests providing the inspiration for KARI Sumako's "The Fruitful Route" series of murals.
The historical ruins and unexplained mysteries of the the area from Ise to Nara inspired YASUHIKO Yoshikazu's “The Mythology Route” series of murals.

Exhibition

CULTURE GATE to JAPAN - coexistence with nature

Name: CULTURE GATE to JAPAN - coexistence with nature
Start: 2021-03-20
End: 2021-09-30
Location: Kansai International Airport

20 Mar 2021 – 30 Sep 2021

Regular hours

Monday: 00:00 – 23:30
Tuesday: 00:00 – 23:30
Wednesday: 00:00 – 23:30
Thursday: 00:00 – 23:30
Friday: 00:00 – 23:30
Saturday: 00:00 – 23:30
Sunday: 00:00 – 23:30

Kansai International Airport

Osaka
Osaka, Japan

Address

1 Senshukukokita
Izumisano-shi
Osaka
Osaka
549-0001
Japan

Directions via Google Maps Directions via Citymapper

Event map

Eight manga artists with personal connections to Japan’s Kansai area have each created murals depicting how the diverse lifestyles and cultures found within the region were largely shaped by the surrounding geography.

About

Since antiquity, the Kansai region of Japan has been a focal point of the country’s flourishing politics, commerce, and culture. Even today, remnants of these historical sites and traditions remain. The diverse lifestyles and cultures found within the region were largely shaped by the surrounding geography – it’s mountains, rivers, seas, and more.

The jagged San-in coastline, created when the Japanese archipelago separated from mainland Asia millions of years ago, resulted in a number of natural harbors. Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, supplied fresh water to the entire Hokuriku region. The islands of Awaji island and Tokushima are home to some of Japan’s oldest creation myths. And the historical areas of Ise and Nara in the Kii Peninsula, with is bizarre rock formations, virgin forests, and local craft culture, are the setting for some of the country’s most enduring legends. The natural geography and resources of each area greatly influenced the development of regional culture, each with their own unique distinctions.

For this exhibition, eight areas in and around the Kansai region have been reinterpreted as "eight roads" coexisting with nature. Eight manga artists with personal connections to each area have produced works depicting the nature, culture, and people of each of these “roads”.

* Please note, the exhibition is currently scheduled to run until 30 September 2021, with the possibility of extension. Kansai International Airport is open 24 hours a day. Please visit the official website for the most up-to-date exhibition opening dates and details.

About CULTURE GATE to JAPAN

CULTURE GATE to JAPAN is an innovative multimedia art exhibition showing online and on location in Japan at seven airports and Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. Launched by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 29 creatives were invited to make original, new artworks inspired by the unique cultures and histories of each location, with the goal of communicating the rich diversity of Japan.