Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide

The tiny fishing village of Honmura, on the eastern edge of Naoshima, is home to the Art House Project, a collection of abandoned houses and workshops (as well as a temple and a shrine), that have been converted into venues and art installations by artists from Japan and around the world. The Art Houses are scattered throughout the village, within walking distance of one another. Intersperse your visits with a coffee break or lunch at one of the handful of charming cafes run by a mix of locals and transplants from cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

For many (myself included), Naoshima’s highlight is Tadao Ando’s stunning Chichu Art Museum. Much of the building is underground, and Ando designed it to let in an abundance of natural light that alters the appearance of the artwork it houses throughout the day. Chichu houses a small but impressive collection of works by artists including Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria. On most Friday and Saturday evenings, the museum also hosts the Open Sky Night Program, a special sunset viewing of James Turrell’s “Open Sky.”

After also visiting the nearby Lee Ufan Museum, make your way to what is arguably the island’s centerpiece, Benesse House. Introduced above, Benesse House is a museum-hotel that is home to works by Hiroshi Sugimoto, Gerhard Richter, Shinro Ohtake, Richard Long, David Hockney, and many more. Another site not to be missed is Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s famous “Kabocha” (Pumpkin) sculpture, located a short walk from Benesse House’s Park building.

I♥YU Time and energy permitting, a fitting way to end the day is with a soak at Naoshima’s kitschy and wonderful Naoshima sento (bathhouse), “I♥YU” (yu means hot water, or bath, in Japanese). The colorful bathhouse was designed by Shinro Ohtake, and a soak here is a truly unique way to immerse yourself in art – and Japanese culture. You may need to bring your own towel and soap (sometimes available for purchase at the bathhouse front desk).

The laid-back island of Teshima is located about thirty minutes by ferry from Naoshima. At the heart of the island is the incredible Teshima Art Museum, an awe-inspiring structure shaped like a drop of water by architect Ryue Nishizawa and artist Rei Naito. The Teshima Art Museum itself is reason alone to visit, but the island is also home to several other highlights, including Christian Boltanski’s “Les Archives du Cœur” and the Teshima Yokoo House. Getting to and around Teshima is not always easy. Ferries to and from the island are somewhat limited (access to Teshima), and the Teshima Shuttle Bus also has a limited schedule (not to mention requiring a fairly significant amount of walking). Electric bicycles and scooters can be a good option for navigating the hilly island. Where possible, advance rental is advisable. Benesse Art Site provides the most up-to-date information on works, schedules, and getting to and around Teshima.

The small island of Inujima is located about forty minutes by ferry from Naoshima, or just ten minutes by ferry from the mainland port of Hoden. This little-visited art island is home to the Seirensho Art Museum, its very own “Art House Project,” and the Seaside Inujima Gallery. Once on Inujima, you can simply get around on foot.