Osaka Transportation Guide｜Tadao Ando Architecture Tour - Osaka Cultural Center Tempozan

The Osaka Cultural Center Tempozan (formerly Suntory Museum) is a cultural facility located in Osaka's Minato Ward. Situated in the popular tourist area of Osaka Bay, it is surrounded by attractions such as the world's largest aquarium, the Kaiyukan, Tempozan Harbor Village, Tempozan Market, and the Santa Maria cruise ship. This building, long referred to as the "Suntory Museum," gained attention for its design by Tadao Ando. Completed in 1994 to commemorate Suntory's 90th anniversary, the second president of Suntory, Keizo Saji, commissioned Ando to design the facility with the concept of allowing visitors to experience art and culture while enjoying "beautiful sunsets." Covering an area of 5,500 square meters, the building features one underground floor and nine above-ground floors. It is a quintessential example of Ando's concrete architecture, with its distinctive inverted cone-shaped glass curtain wall facing the sea. The open spaces inside the building offer stunning views of the sunset and ocean, making it a focal point of attraction since its opening. The design emphasizes harmony with water, including a plaza extending from the building to the seaside, reflecting its coastal environment. After the Suntory Museum closed in 2010, the facility was donated to the city of Osaka and renamed the Osaka Cultural Center Tempozan. From 2013 to March 2023, it was operated by the ORIX Group. Starting in April 2023, the Japan-China Cultural and Economic Company took over operations, introducing duty-free shops, restaurants, and hosting concerts, exhibitions, and art auctions. These activities continue to enhance the cultural value of this iconic Tadao Ando-designed building.