About a 15-minute walk from JR Oita Station. OPAM (Oita Prefectural Art Museum) welcomes families with a bright, open atrium and giant folding glass doors. It’s stroller-friendly and has a free kids’ play corner, so you can enjoy “art time without stress” even on short visits. Jan 17 – Mar 31, 2026: the popular touring exhibition “Friday Roadshow & Ghibli Exhibition” comes to OPAM.
Why families love OPAM
- Stroller-friendly flow: The ground floor opens to the city; large folding glass panels make circulation smooth with kids.
- Free kids’ space: A play corner in the atrium helps little ones reset between galleries.
- 2F “café Charité”: ~60 seats with lunch and café items—ideal for cool-down time.
- Easy access: ~15–16 min on foot from JR Oita Station; about 10 min by car from Oita IC.
- Parking on-site: Outdoor 143 spaces (24h) and underground 107 (8:00–23:00). First 30 min free; charges thereafter. Many coin parkings nearby when full (keep yen handy).
Highlights (kid perspective)
- Architecture that’s fun: Designed by Pritzker laureate Shigeru Ban—timber lattice meets giant folding glass. One of his most famous works worldwide is the Centre Pompidou-Metz in France.
- Look → feel → make: Enjoy exhibitions with short conversations; join a workshop if it’s running that day.
- Museum shop: Find Oita-inspired crafts (e.g., Beppu bamboo work, Hita Onta-yaki). Availability varies by season.
Kid-friendly visit plan (60–90 min)
- First 10–15 min: In the atrium, set a “spotting theme” (colors, shapes, bamboo patterns).
- 30–40 min: See just three artworks together—ask “What do you see?” “How does it feel?”
- Break: Head to the 2F café Charité for drinks or a light snack.
Practical info (easy to scan)
- Museum hours: 10:00–19:00 (last entry 30 min before close). Fri & Sat: 10:00–20:00.
- Café: 2F “café Charité” 11:00–18:30 (to 19:30 on Fri/Sat); irregular days off.
- Tickets: Building/common areas are free; special exhibitions are ticketed (varies by show).
- Access: 15–16 min walk from JR Oita Station / Bus stop “Oasis Hiroba-mae” / ~10 min by car from Oita IC.
- Parking: Outdoor 143 (24h) / Underground 107 (8:00–23:00; height 2.1 m). First 30 min free → up to 1 h ¥200 → +¥100/30 min; night cap ¥900. Wheelchair spaces available. If full, use nearby coin parkings (cash recommended).
- Address: 2-1 Kotobuki-machi, Oita-shi 870-0036 / Tel. 097-533-4500
Why now
Friday Roadshow & Ghibli Exhibition at OPAM: Jan 17 – Mar 31, 2026 (Venue: 1F Gallery A; no scheduled closure days).
Nearby (half-day idea)
Lunch → OPAM → Kasuga Shrine
Lunch around Oita Station or near the museum → 60–90 min at OPAM → a calm shrine stroll (photograph kids from behind for privacy).
Internal links (OyakoTrip)
FAQ
Can I bring a stroller into the galleries?
Yes. Wide paths and elevators make movement smooth. Follow staff guidance at peak times.
What if the on-site parking is full?
Use nearby coin parkings. Many accept cash—keep some yen handy.
Where can I confirm today’s hours and events?
Check the official website calendar for the latest updates.
