The National Museum of Art, Osaka — Attraction in Osaka

Bought the amazing pass. Travelled across Osaka and got to the entrance where I learned there is a charge. Oh yes, the free part of the museum has a total of 4 pieces of art. I will include what you will see. My son who is a high school student was able to see the paid exhibition. He was not impressed. Classic bait and switch. This was really disgusting and a terrible way to treat visitors to Osaka. Really a tremendous waste of time, both the amazing pass and this "art museum".

And like other people describe, there are way too many people employed here and they are directed to stand up and shadow you when you approach exhibits. I'm not sure if this is a cultural thing but it really made us very uncomfortable and destroyed any enjoyment of the museum. I can possibly see their purpose because I saw a family of Chinese tourists and they were told to hold their little girls hand. They refused in the little girl went up to the art. It may help with such minor incidents but if someone had intention of doing harm I don't think they could stop them. Basically it was just creepy and made the place seem uncomfortable and unwelcoming. And before anyone has something to say about me calling out Chinese tourists, well, in general they are a scourge and are very disrespectful tourists. Just search Chinese...

Today I went to the Yoichi Umetsu exhibition with some friends (both Japanese and foreigners) As soon as we entered the space, I (foreigner), was constantly watched and followed by the staff. At one point one staff member stood less than the metre from me and blocked me from even being able to see the work. This same staff member noticed I had gum in my mouth and held a piece of paper from her notebook up to my face and told me to spit it out immediately in front of her and everyone else in the room. It was condescending and humiliating. I was made to feel like I had done something wrong just by being there.

I’m an artist and have worked as a host in museums and galleries for years and I have never been instructed to make visitors spit out gum or shadow them like this. Im mindful, and I know not to touch things or get too close, take photos or videos with out asking or drink / eat in galleries. I was just trying to enjoy the show with friends.

What did she think I was going to do with my gum anyways?

I liked the exhibition and the space, but I just found this disrespectful and uncomfortable, the experience was unsettling and I wanted to leave.

If you’re a foreigner, you might expect to be treated with some...

As an art museum I find it offensive that when a guest shows interest in sketching the art and attempting to study the works of masters and being asked to sketch faster an absolute disgrace. The whole point of visiting a museum is to learn and understand the works and ideas trying to be portrayed by the artist and to improve one's knowledge, experience and understanding of the art and movement that is on display.

If your entire point of visiting this museum is to walk around and take pictures then by all means come here and do so.

If your intention is to learn from the works displayed, this museum is not friendly to these ideals and will try to rush and stifle your learning.

As an artist I am offended by this mentality and completely depressed as to how these works are shown with the intent of just taking pictures and moving along. I hope this is a helpful review for the artist trying to learn and study the works of masters. Education of arts and studying them does not seem to be encouraged at this museum.

At least this was my experience that happened when I was visiting and tried to study and sketch out some of the...