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.

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.

Benesse House Museum

Designed by Tadao Ando, this facility functions as both a contemporary art museum and a hotel. It features site-specific installations and large-scale artworks overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.

Naoshima Bath

A functional public bathhouse designed by artist Shinro Ohtake. The facility features an eclectic collage-style exterior and interior, incorporating scrap materials, tiles, and a large elephant statue.

Go'o Shrine

Part of the Art House Project designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto. It features a glass staircase that links an underground stone chamber to the restored Shinto shrine above.

Minamidera

A Tadao Ando-designed building housing James Turrell’s 'Backside of the Moon.' The installation explores sensory perception through complete darkness and the gradual emergence of light.

Haisha

A former dentist's home and office transformed by Shinro Ohtake into a large-scale sculptural installation. The structure features a mix of scrap metal, neon signs, and a two-story Statue of Liberty.

Kadoya

The first completed Art House Project, set in a 200-year-old residence. It houses Tatsuo Miyajima’s 'Sea of Time '98,' consisting of 125 LED digital counters submerged in a water pool.

Gokaisho

Built on the site of a former gathering place for Go players, this project features Yoshihiro Suda’s realistic wood-carved camellia petals scattered across the floors of a traditional building.

Ishibashi

A restored 100-year-old salt merchant's house featuring works by Hiroshi Senju. The installation includes large-scale waterfall paintings and a screen painting in the main residence.