About

Born in Osaka and self-taught in architecture, Tadao Ando began his architectural career in 1969. Since then, he has continuously challenged conventional norms with groundbreaking architectural works. From the 1990s onwards, his work has gained international recognition while also focusing on social initiatives such as environmental restoration and disaster recovery. His dynamic and multifaceted contributions have been highly regarded both in Japan and internationally.

This exhibition, held in Osaka—his long-time base—presents a comprehensive view of his ambitious journey, capturing his past challenges, present work, and vision for the future.

Experience his passion and energy firsthand by visiting the venue, VS. (Grand Green Osaka)—a key part of Osaka’s urban regeneration project, in which Ando has been deeply involved for many years.

Highlights

The Symbol of Youth: The Green Apple

Greeting visitors at the front lawn is a 2.5-meter sculpture of a green apple — a symbol of the exhibition’s theme: “Youth.” The pedestal features Samuel Ullman’s poem Youth, alongside a personal message from Tadao Ando: “People and architecture alike should remain ever youthful, filled with a spirit of challenge.”

Trace of Endeavors

The exhibition begins with a look back at Ando’s half-century journey of bold architectural challenges. Around 60 projects are presented through over 230 sketches, drawings, blueprints, and models.Monitors play not only visuals of the finished works, but also footage from construction phases, tracing the arc of Ando’s creative process.

Full-Scale Recreation of the “Church on the Water”

One of Ando’s most iconic works, the Church on the Water, is recreated at nearly full scale within the venue.A cross stands in a real reflecting pool, with panoramic video projections showing the changing seasons of the Hokkaido landscape. The chirping of birds and natural sounds invite visitors to imagine the real church set in the distant north.

Tadao Ando Now

Ando’s recent and ongoing works are introduced under six themes:

• Naoshima: Year 37
• Connecting Time
• Create/Nurture
• Children’s Book Forest
• Urban Guerrilla 2025
• From Osaka

 

The Naoshima art project, initiated by Soichiro Fukutake of Fukutake Publishing (now Benesse Holdings), has involved Ando from its inception. Over the past 37 years, he has designed ten buildings on the island, including the Benesse House Museum and the Naoshima New Museum of Art (opening in late May). This architectural journey is presented as an immersive installation combining models, music, and film.

Children’s Book Forest
A significant part of Ando’s recent work is the Children’s Book Forest initiative.Driven by a desire to provide enriching reading environments for the next generation, Ando personally designed and funded the construction of libraries for children — which he then donated to local governments. Starting in Nakanoshima, Osaka, the project has expanded to Tono, Kobe, and Kumamoto, and is now spreading internationally.This spring, a floating children’s library called Hon-no-Mori set sail on the Seto Inland Sea, delivering books and inspiration to children on remote islands.

Immersive Ando Architecture in a 15m-High Studio

Tadao Ando's representative work, "Church of the Light," the "Hill of the Buddha," whose head peeks from a majestic hill, and the "Bourse de Commerce," a contemporary art museum renovated from a historic building, are included in this space. In a cube-shaped studio with a ceiling height of 15 meters, you can virtually experience the architectural spaces of these three works through original video presentations. Engage your senses and immerse yourself in Ando's architecture.

Audio Guide

Narrated by Tadao Ando himself.He shares stories and commentaries on 18 featured projects.

Official Merchandise
Exhibition Catalogue: Tadao Ando: Youth

This 304-page catalogue traces Ando’s journey of challenge. Alongside beautifully composed architectural photographs and a foreword by Ando, it includes a critical essay on Ando by renowned architectural historian Riichi Miyake and a specially written essay by bestselling author Maha Harada.It is presented in a bilingual (Japanese-English), full-color, hardcover format — all for just 2,350 yen.

The shop offers a wide range of original goods, including tote bags featuring Ando’s sketches, masking tape, T-shirts, clear files with stunning photography, and a 3D memo pad modeled after the symbolic green apple Find your favorite item at the shop.

Information

Visit by Tadao Ando

July 4 (Fri) around 3:00 PM
July 5 (Sat) around 2:30 PM
July 6 (Sun) around 2:00 PM
Tadao Ando will be offering a brief talk at the venue.
We warmly welcome your visit.
※Please note that the artist’s visit schedule is subject to change on the day without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.

Tadao Ando – Upcoming TV Appearance

July 3 (Thu) 11:06 PM – 11:55 PM
TV Tokyo Network
Nikkei Special "Cambria Kyuden"

If you live in an area where the TV Tokyo network (including TV Osaka) is not available,
you can watch the program in real time via the streaming service "TVer".
The missed episode will also be available for one week starting at 11:06 PM on July 10 (JST) (tentative).

TICKET

ACCESS

Umekita North Park
Grand Green Osaka,
6-86 Ofukacho, Kita
Osaka
[Google Map]

Visitors by Bus or Car

Please park Bus or Car at the public parking.
Please do not park and get-off/on on the road.

By Train

Osaka-Umeda Station (Hankyu Railway)
Approx. 6-minute walk from the Central Exit

Osaka Station (JR Line)
Approx. 7-minute walk from the Central Gate

Umeda Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji Line)
Approx. 7-minute walk from Exit 1

Osaka-Umeda Station (Hanshin Railway)
Approx. 8-minute walk from the ticket gates

Higashi-Umeda Station (Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line)
Approx. 13-minute walk from Exit 9