After leaving the National Museum of Art, Osaka, our next stop was the Nakanoshima Museum of Art.
Coincidentally, this special exhibition was running that day. It was so popular that time-slot tickets were sold, creating long lines for admission. In addition to the pamphlet I received, I’m reproducing part of the information from the official website.
Louis Vuitton “Visionary Journey” Exhibition
The “Visionary Journey” exhibition commemorates Louis Vuitton’s 170th anniversary and the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo). It narrates the Maison’s pioneering spirit and the essence of unparalleled travel, inviting visitors on an immersive journey inspired by exceptional craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation.
The L-shaped window standing out against the museum’s black wall is purely coincidental and unrelated to the Louis Vuitton exhibition. Probably. While inwardly acknowledging this event wasn’t really my scene, I joined the end of the line on a whim, waited for a while, and finally reached the entrance.
Photography restrictions were minimal inside, so I took quite a few shots with my GF10. But since there’s no end to it, I’ll narrow it down and share just nine single-digit images to convey the atmosphere.
The entrance gate, made by connecting famous Louis Vuitton suitcases, reflected on the mirror-like polished floor, creating a strange sense of floating.
A section for learning about Louis Vuitton’s history. Many visitors were transfixed by the authentic bags and accessories on display, devouring the explanations, so the line barely moved, which was frustrating.
I suppose the most symbolic items would be the carriage and the suitcase.
At the venue that day, the miniature car was the thing I most wanted to have.
The dazzling bag display corner. So hurry up and move along, they say .
A cool dress with a classic design that’s so traditional it feels new.
Demonstration of maintenance using artisan techniques.
The enormous chandelier suspended from the ceiling of the museum’s public space was, upon closer inspection, a Louis Vuitton Monogram lantern.
The merchandise sales corner set up at the exit was extremely popular. I skipped it, but the line to the sales area was longer than the one for the main exhibition itself.
The items being handled are dreamy high-end brand genuine goods (probably), but what impressed me as truly Osaka-like was the unapologetic fake voice heard from a group of ladies debating whether to queue up and stop by:
“But hey, it’s not like it’s cheap or anything! I’m done with queuing.”
Anyway, it was an event that seemed rather out of character, but thanks to the ingeniously designed, gorgeous displays and presentations, even outsiders like me found it surprisingly enjoyable. This Expo Memorial event in Osaka managed with this level of crowd, but if it were in Tokyo, it might have been even more insane.
Another thought: taking photos at events like this is tough on white balance!
