20 Places To Visit In Naoshima, Japan

Dear friend, I stumbled upon something recently that has thrilled me, and I couldn't control myself from sharing this with you. Picture an adventure that will take us off the typical path into uncovering the hidden jewels of the island of art and culture: I came across a list entitled "20 places to visit in Naoshima, Japan," which sounds completely enchanting. This island is filled with wondrous art installations, quaint cafes, and places so tranquil that they invite us to go and unwind, taking in nature's soothing beauty. The thought of taking a stroll in the blooming streets of the island, amid some funky galleries and really nice lookout points, puts a smile on my face. It feels like every edge of Naoshima has a story waiting for us to discover. Let's plan a journey and seize all those moments creating amazing memories! Trust me, this is an experience you should really not miss! I promise this will be our most exciting escape ever.

20 Places To Visit In Naoshima, Japan

You'll Discover

1) Benesse House Museum

Benesse House Museum

The Benesse House Museum, designed by world-famous architect Tadao Ando, is an experimental art museum and hotel located on Naoshima Island, Japan. It opened in 1992 as the first museum on the island and is part of the Benesse Art Site Naoshima project. The complex consists of four buildings-the Museum, Oval, Park, and Beach, each providing a different experience of art. The museum has a wide-ranging collection of contemporary art by both Japanese and international artists, often inspired by the natural environment specific to Naoshima. The building integrates art, nature, and architecture, with large windows that connect the interior spaces to the beautiful views overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. Viewers can experience works of art, not just within the museum but also in the gardens and beaches around it. Overnight guests gain access to the museum during after-hours visits, further immersing them in art and nature. 

2) Chichu Art Museum

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Chichu Art Museum

Chichu Art Museum designed by Tadao Ando is a uniquely located contemporary art museum on the site of Naoshima Island in Japan with its opening in 2004. Even the name literally means "art museum in the earth", with most of the areas lying underground in order to preserve the natural beauty of the Seto Inland Sea. The museum houses a permanent collection of works by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria. Although underground, the museum illuminated artworks with natural daylight creating a dynamic viewing experience changing with seasons and time of the day. The architecture of the museum is also an artwork itself, blending in well with the landscape, as it emphasizes the relationship between nature and human experience. Visitors cannot make advance reservations since capacities are limited further on forging an intimate and immersive experience with art and architecture.

3) Lee Ufan Museum

Lee Ufan Museum

The Lee Ufan Museum, located on Naoshima Island, Japan, is a joint collaboration between the famous Korean artist Lee Ufan and architect Tadao Ando. Opened in 2010, it is the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to Lee Ufan, featuring his minimalist sculptures and paintings dating from the 1970s to the present. Semi-underground, the museum consists of three rectangular rooms embedded in the ground, with each altered in qualities of materiality, light, and scale according to the artworks on display. The design expresses the relationship between nature and art, with a triangular forecourt providing guests with views of the sky before their entrance. Lee Ufan's works share a poetic subtlety in simplicity with that of Ando's architecture, inducing peaceful feelings for contemplation. The museum is located conveniently between Benesse House and Chichu Art Museum, which makes it easily accessible by foot or shuttle bus. Admission is paid, and it's advisable to buy tickets online.

4) Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery

Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery

Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors, located on Naoshima Island, Japan, is a rare exhibition space for the works of celebrated artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. It opened in March 2022, linking Sugimoto's creative works on Naoshima with his Enoura Observatory in Odawara. This gallery presents Sugimoto's photography, sculpture, and design, focusing on his interest in time and its relationship with nature. The gallery is conceived to work in harmony with Tadao Ando's architecture so as to direct the visitor to feel and experience the interplay of time with nature. The adjacent lounge provides a casual setting with Sugimoto's "Three Divine Trees" table and his Glass Tea House "Mondrian," allowing quiet contemplation of time over tea. Admission includes tea and sweets, and online tickets are recommended. Open from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, this gallery offers a condensed experience into Sugimoto's artistic vision and philosophical themes.

5) Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin

Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin

Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin is a very famous sculpture situated on Naoshima Island, Japan. It was first shown in 1994 as part of the exhibition called "Out of Bounds," and has since become a symbol of the island and Benesse Art Site Naoshima. The pumpkin model made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic is two meters tall, 2.5 meters wide, and painted with Kusama's signature polka dots. It rests in splendid contrast on an old pier with the azure sea and emerald dense greenery. In 2021, the sculpture was taken away by a typhoon but was repaired and reinstated in October 2022 upon reinforcing the structure to brave the forthcoming storm. The pumpkin is one out of Kusama's innumerable representations, signifying her long-time fascination with pumpkins as objects of joy for her, a source of comfort. It is an excellent photo spot and a must-see for art lovers visiting Naoshima.

6) Naoshima Public Bath (I Love Yu)

Naoshima Public Bath (I Love Yu)

Naoshima Public Bath, also known as I Love Yu, is a vibrant art installation and currently functioning public bath, located near Miyanoura Port on Naoshima Island. It was designed by artist Shinro Ohtake, combining traditional Japanese sento culture with various elements of art. The exterior is a riot of colorful materials and objects, while the interior features tile murals, an elephant statue, and a glass ceiling painted in bright hues. The public bath provides visitors an artistic experience for taking baths. The bathhouse embraces the traditions of a sento, separating male from female patrons, but offers a more liberating approach by welcoming tattoos and the prospect of engaging in "naked communication" with both locals and guests. Anything from soap to towels must be purchased here. Other than the entrance hall, taking photographs is banned in order to secure the privacy of the bathing experience I Love Yu is a 'must' in Naoshima, combining all elements of art, culture, and communal bathing.

7) Valley Gallery

Valley Gallery

The Valley Gallery, designed by Tadao Ando, is a space for modern art, quietly hidden in a valley of Naoshima Island in Japan. The gallery, part of the Benesse Art Site Naoshima project, is Ando's ninth in the island. The trapezoidal building is topped with an unusual angular steel roof that allows it to merge comfortably within the surrounding landscape. Such a design ensures harmony and collaboration with nature using natural light, wind, and rain into the interiors. The visitors make their approach through a winding pathway that cuts through Yayoi Kusama's Narcissus Garden and Tsuyoshi Ozawa's Slag Buddha 88, further enriching the experience. The Valley Gallery is not merely a contemporary art gallery; it is a cultural and architectural occasion that echoes Naoshima's natural beauty, provoking reflection and contemplation. It can be reached by car or public transport from the ferry terminal at Miyanoura.

8) Ando Museum

Ando Museum

The Ando Museum is a shrine to Tadao Ando's architectural vision in Honmura, Naoshima. Opened in 2013, it occupies a 100-year-old, traditional wooden house that Ando remodeled to merge past and present. The exterior appears as any traditional Japanese residence, yet inside, there exists a dynamic juxtaposition between old and new with Ando's concrete. The exhibits include photographs, sketches, and models of Ando's projects, in particular working on Naoshima and the much-publicized Church of the Light. Visitors are allowed to walk through the museum and into spaces that showcase Ando's manner of introducing modernity into a traditional setting; it is open 10:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M. with Mondays closed. These spaces give insight into Ando's architectural vision and his contributions to the development of Naoshima as a prominent art destination.

9) Art House Project: Go'o Shrine

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Art House Project: Go'o Shrine

Go'o Shrine, in the Honmura district of Naoshima is an unusual amalgamation of traditional Shinto architecture with contemporary artistic ideas. It was originally constructed in the Muromachi period, that is, between 1338 and 1573. Since the go'o shrine was a part of the Art House Project, it was resurrected and made anew by the artist Hiroshi Sugimoto in 2002. Sugimoto's design entitled "Appropriate Proportion," is endowed with a glass staircase connecting to a built underground stone chamber, which signifies the relationship between heaven and earth. The architecture of the shrine is characterized by influences of early Shinto styles, such as that of the Grand Shrine of Ise, drawing closer to modernism. The main and front structures are both open at any hour for worship for visitors. Its unique and functional design as a place of worship comes across as a work of art, thereby creating a peaceful and contemplative experience among the natural beauty of Naoshima. Photography is restricted within some areas to keep the intimacy of the site.

10) Miyanoura Port

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Miyanoura Port

Miyanoura Port provides the main entrance point for visitors coming over to Naoshima island in Japan. It serves as the main transportation transfer point or the hub for information and ferry services going to and from Takamatsu, Uno, and Inujima by the western coast of the island. The port is a visual feast of the Seto Inland Sea and is marked by Yayoi Kusama's iconic "Red Pumpkin" sculpture-this has become a symbol of Naoshima. Indeed, the ferry terminal itself is designed by SANAA and features this modern, open arrangement with waiting area, ticket office, and souvenir shop. Visitors can rent bikes on the same site to cycle along the island or take a local bus towards other destinations. Miyanoura Port is also ideally placed to most art museums and installations, making it a perfect starting point for getting to know the rich cultural landscape of Naoshima. 

11) Naoshima Hall

Naoshima Hall

Naoshima Hall was built by Hiroshi Sambuichi as a community center and sports hall for Naoshima Island, Japan. This building was finished in November 2015, constructed with two large sculptural roofs made from Japanese cypress wood to "fuse" the traditional method for a contemporary design. The larger roof, whose apex is hollowed out, allows air and light to circulation creating a natural ventilating system. The design is a hallmark of Sambuichi's concern for what he calls "moving materials"—wind and sunlight, which are fundamental to the building's operation. The hall serves as the community hub for organizing local residents for sporting events, performances, and other community gatherings. The landscape includes pond and newly planted cherry blossom and maple trees, adding to the beauty of this site. Naoshima Hall bears testimony of Sambuichi's experimental direction at architecture that fuses the old with modernity while placing these structures in their unique environmental settings.

12) The Yayoi Kusama Red Pumpkin

Yayoi Kusama Red Pumpkin

Yayoi Kusama's Red Pumpkin is a wonderful outdoor sculpture placed in Miyanoura Port on Naoshima Island, Japan. It has installed on site in 2006 and is about four meters tall. It is one of the first things that greets tourists on the island and is very different from the Yellow Pumpkin in that it is interactive. With the Red Pumpkin, there are holes camouflaged among the black polka dots that allow one to enter and take picture poses. It is like going from real life into a "giant black dot world." The Pumpkin introduces playful interaction to give others taste of what fun they can have on Naoshima, a mood set for adventures through the many contemporary art installations around the island. Bright colorful paint and playful designs create a buzz everywhere making the Red Pumpkin contrasts the blues of the sea and whites of the typical architecture. It is one of the busiest areas of photography. During night, a different charm surfaces when the pumpkin gets lit; it really adds to its presence in the otherwise tranquil setting of the island. The sculpture really testifies to Kusama's art becoming life, living, and interactively inviting joy.

13) Art House Project: Minamidera

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Art House Project: Minamidera

Minamidera is part of the Art House Project on Naoshima Island and is an art experience by Tadao Ando, where one can visit the work of James Turrell, "Backside of the Moon." This site is in the Honmura district that used to house five temples and shrines, giving this recently turned heritage site a historical significance. The name, Minamidera, literally translates "southern temple" which speaks for its culture. It is a new building that intends to preserve the historical spirit of the site with Turrell's light immersion artworks. Minamidera holds testament to the Art House Project's intention of melding contemporary art with old buildings into a meaningful contrast between past and present. Anyone can visit the site by reservation, giving it a more intimate experience with the artwork of Turrell amidst Naoshima's pastoral scenery.

14) Art House Project: Haisha 

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Art House Project: Haisha

In Naoshima's Honmura district lies the Art House Project: Haisha, a magical remaking of the house and office of a dentist into a delirious art space. The artist, Shinro Ohtake, converted the house into a work of art called "Dreaming Tongue" that imitates the process of memory retrieval through sensory experiences. Haisha means "dentist," and it incorporates many things - one being a sculpture, another a painting, and another a collage in the different parts of the house, thus creating a very eclectic mix. Not only does this project give new life to an old building, but it also perfectly reflects Naoshima's commitment to creating a community space for art. Inside, visitors will get an opportunity to see all the installations within Haisha and connect to the interweaving of art, nature, and culture intrinsic to the community. Part of the wider Art House Project, Haisha offers an experience of a truly unique past and present mingling, and where visitor and resident interaction occurs in an authentic sense while showcasing artistic and cultural depth on the island.

15) Art House Project: Kadoya

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Art House Project: Kadoya

Kadoya is a 200-year-old traditional Japanese house that has been turned into an immersive art venue under the Art House Project on Naoshima Island. It was the first building to be renovated under the Art House Project that initiated in 1998. Inside Kadoya, artist Tatsuo Miyajima created the installations like "Sea of Time". In this work, LED counters are submerged under water, signifying the simultaneous flow of time and the human connection. Traditional on the outside, the interiors of Kadoya have been redesigned with modern art elements. The result is an integration between past and present. Through water and light create an engaging atmosphere to not only inspire visitors' eyes but also to invite them to contemplate time and space. The juxtaposition of traditional architecture with contemporary art makes Kadoya standout in the Art House Project with respect to the experience that it offers, where each visitor experiences something quite different on each occasion because of the interactive nature of the installations. 

16) Art House Project: Kinza

Art House Project: Kinza

Kinza, part of the Art House Project on Naoshima Island, is a 200-year-old traditional Japanese house transformed into a contemplative art space by artist Rei Naito. The installation, called "Being Given," subtly integrates modern elements while retaining the original roof, beams, and posts, keeping the history of the house. This unique space is designed for solitary viewing as it allows only one to enter at a time in order to generate a meditative experience in connection with nature and time. Kinza is open from Thursday to Sunday, and reservations are required in advance due to its unique viewing format. The project's aim with the Art House Project is to juxtapose the contemporary and the traditional, thereby making possible a rich conversation between the past and the present for the Honmura area of Naoshima.

17) Art House Project: Ishibashi

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Art House Project: Ishibashi

Ishibashi is the part of the Art House Project built on the Naoshima Island that holds a fascinating tale of converting a 100-year-old traditional Japanese house into a modern art space. Once home to a rich merchant of salt, this house has now become an art installation for works of Hiroshi Senju, a prominent Japanese artist known for his waterfall paintings considered almost ethereal. While retaining some of its traditional atmosphere, the house showcases wonderful pieces by Senju, including a gigantic waterfall painting filling the sliding paper screens with tranquillity and communion with nature. A tiny stone bridge in the adjoining garden enriches the natural beauty and historical credibility of the site further. Ishibashi is an excellent representation of how the Art House Project intertwines art with local culture, therefore providing interaction between visitors and locals and the preservation of the island's identity. It embodies a rare confluence of art, history, and community involvement, one that warrants a visit on Naoshima.

18) Art House Project: Gokaisho

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Art House Project: Gokaisho

The Gokaisho is part of the Art House project on Naoshima Island; an art space transformed from traditional building where local people used to gather to play Go, the Japanese board game. The name literally means "place to play Go." Artist Yoshihiro Suda transformed the structure into an art installation titled "Tree of Spring", which is inspired by a work of the painter Hayami Gyoshu named Falling Camellia. The artwork shows a camellia motif in contrast with actual five-colored camellia planted outside in the garden. This juxtaposition really enhances the interplay between art and nature. Gokaisho design combines traditional architecture with contemporary art, and this is what the project intends to achieve-along time with modernity. It is one of such sites that can be visited as part of the broader Art House Project, which aims to weave art into the fabric of Naoshima's Honmura district, and to catalyze interaction between art, community, and daily life. 

19) Gotanji Swimming Beach

Gotanji Swimming Beach

Gotanji Swimming Beach is a charming place situated at the southern end of Naoshima Island, and it is just good for relaxing and swimming. It's in front of the Tsutsuji-so resort. This beach can be reached via shuttle buses that make stops at nearby art museums like that at Benesse House and Chichu Art Museum. The beach has brown sand and crystal clear waters, and it is entirely devoid of lifeguards, so swimming is at the visitors' own risk. Tsutsuji-so has some restrooms and showers, as well as vending machines. The beach is safe for families, but no cooking or camping is allowed. It features the Naoshima fire festival in summer. The Yayoi Kusama pumpkin sculpture, found quite nearby, is yet another attraction. Truly, Gotanji Beach has a different kind of natural and cultural flavor blended together. 

20) Chichu Cafe

Chichu Cafe

Located inside Chichu Cafe is located in the Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima island and is exclusive for interior dining, benefiting from a unique view of the Inland Sea. The place has a glass wall and an open patio to enjoy meals and refreshments while savoring the outdoors. The light fare includes olive beef pilaf, smoked salmon bagel sandwiches, vegetable sandwiches, desserts, and soft drinks. The entrance to the cafe requires a ticket to the museum itself. The operational hours change every season but are usually open from 10:30 AM to 4:45 PM in winter and as late as 5:45 PM in summer. The cafe is closed on museum holidays, including Mondays during certain periods. So, visitors will find this a lovely way to end a museum visit: art and nature combined with a gourmet experience within a unique atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

So dear friends it has been really, really wonderful to talk with you guys on those 20 places to visit in Naoshima, Japan. It really felt like we had been two friends having a coffee together and talking over something so secret about one of the most beautiful places on the planet earth. Now, as the voice nears the end, I cannot but imagine the delight you are going to have by visiting this art island. Whether it's modern art museums, funky little cafes, or peaceful seaside places-every area in Naoshima would surprise you with something pretty amazing. And though we may not have that much time here, do remember that the journey itself is as beautiful as the destination. So, buckle up that enthusiasm into a bag and get out there into some memorable zeal. Thanks for spending this delightful trip with me, and here's to many more travels and happy discoveries ahead. In fact, I can't hold myself for waiting to hear all the stories of this marvelous adventure from you! Let this journey bestow your endless passion to visit more wonders, together.

FAQS About 20 Places To Visit In Naoshima, Japan

Q1: What is Naoshima known for?

A: Naoshima is called the 'art island' of Japan because of many museums and plenty of sculptures and installations by famous artists such as Yayoi Kusama and James Turrell.

Q2: How do I get to Naoshima?

A: The island can be accessed by ferry from Takamatsu or Uno. The ferry ride usually takes up to an hour.

Q3: What museums in Naoshima must be visited?

A: Important museums to see are the Chichu Art Museum and the Benesse House Museum, while Chichu contains paintings by Monet and Turrell and Benesse contains a diverse collection of modern art.

Q4: What is the Honmura Art House Project?

A: The Honmura Art House Project is an extraordinary project that is dedicated to the transformation of old houses into art installations. It consists of places like Minamidera and Haisha.

Q5: Where are Yayoi Kusama's pumpkins located?

A: Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin is located at the Benesse House Museum, while the Red Pumpkin is located just beside the main port. Both pumpkins are ´must-see´ Naoshima landmarks.

Q6: What would be the most efficient way for me to explore Naoshima?

A: Renting a bicycle is a popular way to see the island, but some areas, such as the road to Benesse House, are closed to bikes.

Q7: What is the Ando Museum?

A: The Ando Museum is dedicated to the works of architect Tadao Ando. It is located in a traditional wooden house and provides insights about his design works and the history of Naoshima.

Q8: Can I visit Naoshima Public Bath?

A: Yes, the Naoshima Public Bath, or I Love Yu, is an art installation designed by Shinro Ohtake offering a truly unique bathing experience complete with artistic decorations.

Q9: How long should I plan to stay in Naoshima?

A: A two-day itinerary is recommended so that visitors can get a real feel of Naoshima's art and scenery. This allows sufficient time to visit the main museums and explore the island.

Q10: What are some of the best beaches in Naoshima?

A: Naoshima boasts beautiful beaches such as Kusakabe Beach and Gotanji Beach. They are great sites to relax while soaking in the island's beauty.