Best things to do in Naoshima

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.

Naoshima Essentials — Map

KimonBerlin / CC BY-SA 2.0

A

Pumpkin

Yayoi Kusama's iconic 1994 yellow and black polka-dot sculpture sits on the end of a pier overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. It serves as a central symbol of the island's art movement.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

B

Chichu Art Museum

The Chichu Art Museum is a museum built directly into a southern portion of the island of Naoshima in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

C

Benesse House Museum

Designed by Tadao Ando, this facility functions as both a contemporary art museum and a hotel. The collection features site-specific works by artists like Hiroshi Sugimoto and Richard Long integrated into the coastal landscape.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

D

Minamidera

Part of the Art House Project, this Tadao Ando-designed building stands on the site of a former temple. It houses James Turrell’s 'Backside of the Moon,' an immersive installation exploring light and sensory perception.

松岡明芳 / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Naoshima Bath

A functional public bathhouse created by artist Shinro Ohtake. The facility features eclectic collages, recycled materials, and a large elephant statue, blending traditional sento culture with modern art.

松岡明芳 / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Go'o Shrine

An Edo-period Shinto shrine renovated by Hiroshi Sugimoto. It features a glass staircase that connects an underground stone chamber to the sanctuary, symbolizing the link between the earthly and spiritual realms.

G

Lee Ufan Museum

A collaboration between minimalist artist Lee Ufan and architect Tadao Ando. The semi-subterranean concrete structure displays large-scale stone and steel sculptures and paintings from the artist's 'Mono-ha' period.

KimonBerlin / CC BY-SA 2.0

H

Haisha

Formerly a dentist's home and office, this Art House Project site was transformed by Shinro Ohtake into a sculptural collage. The interior features a two-story replica of the Statue of Liberty.

Jessica Morán / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Sou Fujimoto "Naoshima Pavilion" 2015

A 2015 stainless steel mesh structure by Sou Fujimoto located near Miyanoura Port. The translucent, polyhedral design represents a '28th island' and allows visitors to walk inside the hollow frame.

J

ANDO MUSEUM

Located in a century-old traditional wooden house, this museum showcases Tadao Ando's architectural history through sketches and models. The interior features a contrasting nested concrete structure.

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