From July 15 (Tuesday) to September 17 (Wednesday), 2025, Louis Vuitton will host an immersive exhibition titled “Visionary Journeys” at the Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art. This spectacular event, held in celebration of the 2025 Japan World Exposition (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai) and the 170th anniversary of the Maison, takes visitors on a journey through Louis Vuitton’s rich history of creativity and its deep cultural connection with Japan.
Curated by renowned fashion historian Florence Müller and designed by architect Shohei Shigematsu of OMA, “Visionary Journeys” unfolds across 12 thematic sections, including a stunning atrium installation. The exhibition explores the Maison’s evolution through innovation, exceptional craftsmanship (savoir-faire), and a spirit of global exploration. Since opening in 2022, the Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art has earned a reputation as one of Japan’s top cultural hubs for modern and contemporary art. With its bold black cubic exterior, airy interior, and Shigematsu’s dynamic design, the museum sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. Featuring over 1,000 items from Louis Vuitton’s archives and more than 200 Japanese traditional crafts, the exhibition vividly traces the Maison’s legacy from its origins to its latest creations, while honoring its profound relationship with Japan.
A Journey Through the Exhibition
The adventure begins in the “Atrium”, where eight towering trunk towers, crafted from washi paper featuring the iconic Monogram pattern, glow like lanterns and stretch up to the five-story ceiling. As visitors move through this radiant space, they encounter an immersive hemisphere made of 138 trunks, a transformative vessel that welcomes them into Louis Vuitton’s world of imagination and design. These striking installations, designed by Shigematsu, serve as the signature symbols of “Visionary Journeys.”
Next, the journey takes you to “Asnières”, the historic town where Louis Vuitton’s workshop still operates. This section explores the Maison’s growth from the perspective of both the Vuitton family and the atelier, using historical photos, archival footage, and artist drawings to chart its rise from its founding in 1854 to a global icon.
In “Origins”, the exhibition showcases foundational innovations like the flat-top trunk, the “Steamer Bag,” and revolutionary locking systems through archival pieces. It highlights how Louis Vuitton blended practicality and elegance to establish its timeless DNA. The “Expeditions” section follows, featuring rugged travel items like zinc-lined trunks and foldable desks that tell the stories of explorers and pioneers who relied on the Maison’s durable designs.
“Louis Vuitton and Japan” dives into the Maison’s deep cultural exchange with Japan, from early Japonisme-inspired pieces to modern collaborations with artists like Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, Rei Kawakubo, and NIGO®. Rare items, such as a dressing table trunk made for Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro XIII, are displayed alongside treasures from world-renowned museums. These are presented on floating tatami mats under tatami-inspired lighting, reflecting Japanese traditions like tea ceremonies and the “kawaii” (cute) aesthetic, which may be new to some visitors.
In “Materials”, the focus shifts to the four core elements of Louis Vuitton trunks—wood, metal, leather, and canvas. These materials underpin every creation, from bags to accessories, ensuring both lasting beauty and durability. Meanwhile, “Monogram Canvas”, staged like a celestial map, spotlights the iconic canvas designed by Georges Vuitton in 1896. For the first time, the original 1897 sample, uncovered in the Archives de Paris, is on display, surrounded by reinterpreted Monogram classics on rotating, floating platforms.
“The Workshop” pays tribute to the artisans behind the scenes. Highlights include two bespoke trunks: the “Toolbox Trunk” for artist and Maison ambassador Shohei Hirano and the “Courier Trunk” for Osaka-born graphic designer VERDY. Archival footage from Asnières offers a peek into the precision and passion of Louis Vuitton’s craftsmanship.
In “Testing”, visitors see the technology ensuring product longevity. Two playful devices, “Louise” and “Louisette”, test bags for strength, flexibility, and wear resistance, showcasing the Maison’s commitment to excellence through live demonstrations.
The “Atelier Rarex” section—a blend of “Rare” and “Exceptional”—highlights the high-fashion atelier at Place Vendôme in Paris, where couture pieces for events like the Met Gala and Academy Awards are crafted. Featuring looks worn by celebrities like Tadanobu Asano, Rila Fukushima, and Maison ambassador Suzu Hirose at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, this space recreates the elegance of the Maison Louis Vuitton Vendôme.
Finally, “Collaborations” celebrates groundbreaking partnerships, from Stephen Sprouse’s graffiti to the Supreme x Louis Vuitton collection and immersive works by Kusama and Murakami. Displayed in four kaleidoscopic domes, these collaborations showcase creativity without borders.
Through archives, sketches, artworks, trunks, bags, and multimedia installations, “Visionary Journeys” reveals how Louis Vuitton has reimagined travel and expanded its visionary approach to culture, beauty, and innovation.
Exclusive Merchandise and Events
The gift shop offers exclusive items like the “Visionary Journeys” booklet, a special edition notebook, and a curated selection of Maison products. The book “Louis Vuitton and Japan: Visionary Journeys”, co-published with Rizzoli, is available for pre-order at the shop, as well as Rizzoli and Louis Vuitton stores. On July 18 (Friday) from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, French photographer Jean-Vincent Simonet will host a signing session for his photobook “Fashion Eye Osaka”, featured in the “Louis Vuitton and Japan” section.
Plan Your Visit
Louis Vuitton “Visionary Journeys” Exhibition
• Dates: July 15 (Tue) – September 17 (Wed), 2025
• Venue: Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art, 5th Floor Exhibition Room
Gift shop accessible only to exhibition visitors.
• Opening Hours:
• Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM)
• Friday, Saturday, and days before holidays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry 6:30 PM)
• Closed: Mondays, July 22 (Tue)
Open on July 21 (Mon, holiday), August 11 (Mon, holiday), September 15 (Mon, holiday)
May close temporarily due to unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters.
• Organized by: Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art
• Special Cooperation: Louis Vuitton
• Ticket Sales Start: June 30 (Mon), 2025
• Admission Fees:
• General: ¥2,000
• University/College Students: ¥1,500
• High School Students and Younger: Free (advance reservation required)
Prices include tax.
This exhibition requires date and time reservations.
Visitors with disability certificates (including one accompanying person) receive half-price admission (proof required). Please inquire at the ticket counter on the 2nd floor on the day of your visit.
Residents of Osaka City aged 65 and over pay the general admission fee for this exhibition.
• Ticket Sales Locations: Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art Ticket Site, Lawson Ticket
