Overview

A small island town located in the Seto Inland Sea, Naoshima is famous for its numerous contemporary art museums. With a population of about 4,000 and a total land area of less than 15 square kilometres, its museums, which house a wide array of modern sculptures, installations and artworks, are its primary tourist draw.

When to Go

• Naoshima is pretty hot during the summer, with temperatures in the low 30s in July and August. Expect a number of rainy days too.
• In autumn, the weather starts to get cooler as average daily temperature fall between 22 and 29 degrees. Do not forget to bring your umbrella to protect against showers on some days.
• Winter is the driest and coldest time of the year. With temperatures between 10 and 13 degrees Celsius, it offers many pleasant days to sightsee and experience other outdoor activities.
• A spring time visit to Naoshima is also highly recommended, as the days experience little rain and temperatures are in the low 20s.

Things to Do

Book an overnight stay at the Benesse House

Found on Naoshima Island’s southern coast, the Benesse House is a museum and hotel complex that offers several art facilities that were all designed by renowned Japanese architect Ando Tadao. Its number one attraction is the modern art museum that sits on a hill and provides stunning views of the sea. Many modern art pieces adorn the display rooms, hotel rooms and the exterior, which most particularly features a large pumpkin by the shore.

Other facilities available are a spa, cafes, restaurants and shops. Visitors who stay at the hotel, where a room costs at least 25,000 yen a night, are given 24-hour access to its museum.

Visit the museums

• Chichu Museum – A hilltop museum designed by Ando Tadao, the Chichu Art Museum offers a unique kind of museum experience as its artworks utilise various natural environmental conditions to create the best viewing opportunities.
• Ando Museum – Another museum designed by Ando Tandao, the Ando Museum is a traditional, residential-looking facility that blends perfectly into its neighborhood location. Its interior shows Ando’s workings with concrete, wood, light and shadow.
• Lee Ufan Museum – Featuring the works of Korean artist Lee Ufan, the Lee Ufan Museum has displays of large iron and stone installations, paintings and other pieces from Ufan’s earlier years as a contemporary artist.
• 007 Museum – With exhibits dedicated to Raymond Benson’s “The Man with the Red Tattoo”, the 007 Museum is a must-visit for fans of secret service agent James Bond. It also has some paraphernalia and posters from other Bond films such as “You Only Live Twice”, which is the only Bond movie to have been set in Japan.

Take a dip at the I Love Yu public bath house

The I Love Yu bath house building is a contemporary artwork in itself, with baths, toilets, rooms and other facilities that feature the signature scrapbook style of its designer, Otake Shinro. Its floors, walls and ceilings depict murals and collages which include erotica and women abalone divers.

Where to Explore

• Art House Project – Sitting on the eastern coast of Naoshima is Honmura, which is a small town where you can find the Art House Project. Comprised of old and abandoned homes, buildings, workshops, a shrine and a temple, it has become an important venue for both Japanese and foreign contemporary architects and artists.

Getting Around

Visitors can use the buses in Naoshima to reach different museums on the island. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle and explore the island at your own pace.