Sculpted figures grace Midosuji PROMENADE Stele. They silently watch the bustling city of Osaka. Midosuji PROMENADE Stele isn’t just a landmark. It’s a living testament to Osaka’s vibrant art scene. The stele stands along Midosuji, Osaka’s main street. This street stretches 4km, connecting Umeda and Namba. Midosuji itself is a historic avenue, envisioned in 1937 as a beacon of Osaka’s future. Its design, with underground electric wires and rows of ginkgo trees, was innovative for its time. Midosuji PROMENADE Stele enhances this grand boulevard. It showcases 29 sculptures by renowned artists. These artists, both Japanese and international, include names like Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, and Kotaro Takamura. Their works create an open-air museum, accessible to all who stroll along Midosuji. One summer day in 2011, passersby were startled to find the stele’s statues adorned with red dresses. An anonymous artist had dressed 19 of the bronze figures. This act, captured on security footage, sparked curiosity and amusement. The mystery artist, identified only by their bicycle, became a local legend. Midosuji PROMENADE Stele, therefore, represents not only established art but also spontaneous creative expression. The stele enriches the urban landscape. It transforms a simple walk into an encounter with art.
旧守口市立下島小学校
Shimojima Elementary School’s bell echoed one last time in March 2024. This marked the end of its 49-year history. It