Naoshima

Island · Kagawa Prefecture, 🇯🇵 Japan

Population 3,103

Area 8 km²

Time zone Asia/Tokyo

Official website naoshima.net

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Featured Lists

KimonBerlin / CC BY-SA 2.0

Naoshima Essentials

Naoshima is a transformative art destination in the Seto Inland Sea, defined by the minimalist concrete architecture of Tadao Ando. This collection covers the island's major cultural landmarks, including the subterranean Chichu Art Museum and the Art House Project in Honmura, where abandoned residences are repurposed as permanent installations. Key outdoor sculptures, such as Yayoi Kusama’s yellow pumpkin, line the coast, while the Naoshima Bath offers a functional, artist-designed communal bathing experience.

10 places

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Editor's Choice: Naoshima

Naoshima, known as Japan's 'Art Island,' features a unique blend of contemporary art and traditional architecture within the Seto Inland Sea. This selection highlights the Tadao Ando-designed Chichu Art Museum, built entirely underground to preserve the natural landscape, and the Benesse House Museum. It also explores the Art House Project in the Honmura district, where abandoned residences have been transformed into immersive installations by artists like James Turrell and Hiroshi Sugimoto, alongside the functional, collage-style Naoshima Bath.

9 places

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Naoshima Contemporary Art

Naoshima is a transformative art destination in Japan's Seto Inland Sea, defined by the seamless integration of contemporary installations and minimalist architecture. The island features several subterranean structures designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Tadao Ando, including the Chichu Art Museum. Visitors can explore the Art House Project, where abandoned traditional residences in the Honmura district are converted into immersive spaces, and view iconic outdoor sculptures like Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkins situated along the coastline.

12 places