Naoshima Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Must go Chichu Museum- Naoshima

The Chichu Museum is in the southern part of Naoshima Island in Japan’s Kagawa Prefecture. It was designed by acclaimed architect Tadao Ando and opened to the public in 2004. The museum faces the Seto Inland Sea and was built mainly underground - as per the name in Japanese- to avoid conflict with the natural environment of the valley. It is a contemporary art museum and exhibits works of art by Claude Monet, James Turrel, and Walter de Maria, and definitely a must visit museum for any art lovers. To reach the museum, you can take the #2 bus from Miyanoura in Naoshima, and get off at the last stop- Tsutsuji-so. Then take the free shuttle from the same spot provided by the Benesse House . The bus ride to the museum is about 10 minutes. Tickets should be bought online in advance, as the museum follows strict guidelines for entrance. There is also a cafe inside the museum which serves simple lunch sets such as sandwiches, salad and soup. The sea view at the cafe is also amazing. Hours 10-5pm closed Monday#art_of_japan_ #art #museum #japan #naoshima #urbanexplorer #shikoku

Outdoor Art Space - Lee Ufan Museum- Naoshima

The Lee Ufan Museum is a collaboration between the famous artist Lee Ufan and architect Tadao Ando. It is located in a valley between ocean and hill on Naoshima island. The museum is in a tranquil open space facing the sea which is a perfect space to enjoy art and spend time relaxing. To get there, you can take the #2 bus from Miyanoura port, and get off at the last stop - Tsutsuji-so (¥100). Then wait for the free Benesse House shuttle bus which takes you to the Chichu Museum, stopping at the Lee Ufan Museum. It is a very short ride. Alternatively you can make the first visit at the Chichu museum, then walk downhill for 3 minutes to the Lee Ufan Museum. Walking to the museum is also possible from the Tsutsuji- so bus stop. It will be take about 20 minutes uphill but it gets quite hot in the summer as there is no shade. #naoshima Hours- 10-6pm March - September 10-5pm October- February Closed- Monday Admission- ¥1050 #japan #shikoku #naoshima #art_of_japan_ #art #Benesseartmuseum #museum #outdoorart

In search for the red and yellow pumpkins- Naoshima

Kusama’s pumpkins can be seen in many places these days, but definitely two very famous ones are placed in Naoshima. These two pumpkins are displayed in different places on the island - the red is next to the pier in Miyanoura. You will not miss it as it is visible while you are still on the ferry. The yellow one- on the other hand- is next to the beach! To get there, you will need to take the number 2 bus (¥100) for about 15 minutes, and get off at the last stop. The bus stop is next to a small beach- look to the Right end of the beach and you will find the yellow pumpkin. It will be 4-5 minutes to walk there. You can also walk a little further uphill to see more outdoor works of art on display. #yayoikusama #art_of_japan_ #art #pumpkin #naoshima #shikoku #japan

Visit in time : Hiroshi Sugomoto Gallery- Naoshima

There is so much to see on Naoshima and we particularly liked the Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors. The museum is at the foot of the hill from the Benesse House museums. If you choose to walk downhill from the Benease House , then you will definitely find it as there are clear signs on the road. This museum has art work indoor and in the outdoor exhibition space. It is best to stroll quietly and be lost in time as you emerge yourself in the work of man and nature. The ticket even included a Japanese tea+ dessert to be enjoyed in one of the tea rooms. Hours 11-2pm daily #art_of_japan_ #art #japan #naoshima #shikoku

Benesse House Museum

Address: Japan, 761-3110 Kagawa, Kagawa District, Naoshima. Getting there: The Benesse House is just a few minutes on the free shuttle bus from the Chichu Art Museum. Hence you can plan both places together. Highlights: The main attraction of the Benesse House is its art museum, located on a hill overlooking the sea. This museum displays work created by many different artists from both Japan and abroad, which was inspired by the natural surroundings of Naoshima and the architecture on the island. In addition to the art displayed in the museum and in the guest rooms, there are nearly twenty art pieces located on the lawns and beaches around the Benesse House, including the famous pumpkin. 🎃 Opening hours: 8am to 9pm daily Admission fee: 1300yen #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #awesomepic #culturewalk

Benesse Art Museum @ Naoshima 🇯🇵

#wheretogo While we stayed at Benesse House Art Meseum in Naoshima, Japan, the Benesse Museum was a must-visit. We spent a day taking in the most inspiring art installations nestled in nature and amazing architecture. Not only do you just see the installation but it’s a powerful, immersive experience. Well worth a visit as the experience is really unique not to be missed! My rating of this attraction: 4 ⭐️ out of 5!

Benesse House Museum Hotel, Naoshima 🇯🇵

#wheretogo Our stay at Benesse House Museum in Naoshima ticked the boxes of a special and memorable hotel stay in many ways. Room was spacious with the theme of Scandinavian minimalism. It also came with preferential after-hours access to the Benesse Museum, which in itself is worth a stay here all on its own. The hotel surroundings are really lovely. Highly recommended! My rating of this hotel: 4.5 ⭐️ out of 5!

Visit the Besesse House Art Museum at the Setouchi Art Festival. The museum is connected to the hotel on a hillside with two restaurants, the Japanese and Western styles. I once checked the hotel room of the official website. The most popular is Oval. The interior is decorated with artworks. There are a total of six rooms. I booked it very early. There are more Park rooms (but I hesitated later...), the beach has a good view. For the Seto Inland Sea, it is a family room for four people. There are also a few artworks outside the museum. I think it should not be full, but it doesn't matter, maybe I will go again in the future?

Lee Ufan Museum

Address: Japan, 761-3110 Kagawa, Kagawa District, Naoshima Getting there: You can take the free shuttle bus from Tsutsujiso bus stop to the Lee Ufan Museum. Highlights: The museum building was designed by the Japanese architect Ando Tadao, who also designed the other museums on the island, namely the nearby Benesse House and Chichu Art Museum. Just like his other works on the island, the Lee Ufan Museum building mixes geometrically shaped reinforced concrete with nature and open spaces that accentuate the artwork displayed within. On display are large installations made of stone, concrete and huge slabs of iron, as well as a number of paintings from earlier in his career. 😬 Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily, closed on Monday Admission fee: 1050yen #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk

Ando Museum

Address: Japan, 761-3110 Kagawa, Kagawa District, Naoshima, 736-2 Getting there: You can take the bus from Miyanoura Ferry Terminal and stop at the Nokyo-mae bus stop. Highlights: The Ando museum is designed by the man it is named after, Ando Tadao, one of Japan's most famous architects who also designed most other museums on Naoshima. The Ando Museum looks like a regular, traditional residence from the outside, blending in perfectly into the town's neighborhood. The inside of the building, however, combines traditional interior design with Ando's signature use of concrete, creating a rather intriguing atmosphere. Explanatory signs and photographs along the walls document Ando's activities on Naoshima and elsewhere. Opening hours: 10am to 4.30pm daily, closed on Monday Admission fee: 520yen #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk

Chichu Art Museum

Address: 3449-1, Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan. Getting there: The museum is about a two kilometer walk from the Miyanoura ferry terminal. Highlights: The Chichu Art Museum is a unique contemporary art museum built into a hillside overlooking the southern coast of Naoshima. The museum has been built around a rather small collection of art. The first gallery displays large murals from Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" series. The Chichu Museum also houses the famous "Time/Timeless/No Time" installation by Walter De Maria. Remember to take note, admission to the Chichu Art Museum requires advance reservations for a specific date and time slot and can be made online in English. Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily, closed on Monday Admission fee: 2100yen #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk