Tripomatic

Naoshima

Island · Kagawa Prefecture, 🇯🇵 Japan
Population 3,103
Area 8 km²
Time zone Asia/Tokyo
Official website naoshima.net
Naoshima

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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

Naoshima — Map

Naoshima — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: May, June, October

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor
  • 9° (feels like 3°) · extremes 0°–13°
  • 4° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 3 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • 14°C · too cold to swim
  • UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor
  • 10° (feels like 5°) · extremes 0°–15°
  • 4° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 5 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • 13°C · too cold to swim
  • UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Fair
  • 13° (feels like 9°) · extremes 2°–18°
  • 6° at night
  • 11 rainy days
  • 9 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • 13°C · too cold to swim
  • UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Good
  • 17° (feels like 15°) · extremes 6°–22°
  • 11° at night
  • 11 rainy days
  • 11 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • 15°C · too cold to swim
  • UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Great
  • 21° (feels like 20°) · extremes 11°–25°
  • 15° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 11 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Light breeze
  • 18°C · too cold to swim
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Great
  • 25° (feels like 26°) · extremes 16°–28°
  • 20° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 6 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Calm winds
  • 21°C · cool for a dip
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Good
  • 28° (feels like 31°) · extremes 21°–31°
  • 24° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 7 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Calm winds
  • 25°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Fair
  • 30° (feels like 33°) · extremes 23°–32°
  • 25° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 10 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Oppressive humidity
  • Calm winds
  • 27°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Good
  • 27° (feels like 28°) · extremes 18°–31°
  • 22° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 7 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Light breeze
  • 26°C · warm for swimming
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great
  • 22° (feels like 20°) · extremes 12°–26°
  • 17° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 10 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Light breeze
  • 24°C · cool for a dip
  • UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Good
  • 16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 7°–21°
  • 11° at night
  • 8 rainy days
  • 8 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • 20°C · cool for a dip
  • UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in December

Poor
  • 11° (feels like 6°) · extremes 2°–16°
  • 6° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 4 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • 16°C · too cold to swim
  • UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency
Japanese Yen JPY ¥ · Card payments · Commonly accepted
Emergency numbers
118
Electricity
Type A / Type B
100 V · 60 Hz
Languages
Japanese
Tap water
Safe to drink
Driving side
Left
Calling code
+81
Learn more

Tours & Activities

Pumpkin
Walk
Chichu Art Museum
Walk
Benesse House Museum

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Related destinations

Kagawa Prefecture

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