Naoshima Island — Attraction in Naoshima

Naoshima Island

It is said that the name Naoshima originates from former Emperor Sutoku´s defeat and exile several centuries ago. When he visited the island was struck by the sincerity and honesty of its inhabitants and named the island Naoshima ( island of sincerity) in their honor. In 1985 the mayor of Naoshima and the president and founder of the Fukutake publishing company( now Benesse Holdings Inc) decided to join forces to create a place for people of all around the world to gather and promote culture and awareness of nature in all forms of artistic expressions. The architect in charge was the internationally famous Tadao Ando. Benesse House was created as a facility that integrates museum and hotel and where nature, art and architecture coexist in perfect harmony. Then came the Chichu Museum and Lee Ufan Museum. Later they expanded the project and developed the idea creating the Art House Project and expanded even to other islands. Art works by Shinro Othtake, Yayoi Kusama, James Turrel, Kazuo Katase, Walter de Maria, Jennifer Bartlett, Niki de St Phalle, Claude Monet and other contemporary artists are displayed in different premises in a beautiful setting using space, light and nature in an innovative way for the enjoyment of visitor from all...

We went to Japan with our 12 and 9 year old, it was one of our most memorable family trips and Naoshima island was definitely the most unforgettable! We stayed one night in the museum, the accommodation was luxurious and classy with amazing unobstructed view out of the balcony, had plenty of choices for dinner and the museum it self and the tour of the island was great fun for the adults and kids! To be honest when I booked it, I was worried that the family will hate me for the long journey here…it took one entire day from Tokyo, with train, bus, ferry, then some more bus! …they did moan abit about the long journey as kids do…but really loved every moment once they got here (perhaps the long journey even made them appreciate it more), it’s an awesome mix and balance of luxury accomodation, great food, art, architecture, nature and Japanese quirkiness that makes this country so unique, totally worth the long trek out. We absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it for families with 8+ and teenagers,...

It’s a noble initiative to recicle abandoned houses into art galleries but Naoshima isn’t 10% of what i thought it was. Seeing the Yayoi Kusama’s pumpking photos I thought there would be like 10 of them thru the town and you would go on a hunt for them. Nah! There are only 2, one right besides the port area, another one in a very isolated area. There was a pokemon manhole and another sculpture near the port. Naoshima city is an industrial village, with old houses. Very empty of people by the day. After 5 pm on winter you wouldn’t see anyone or any restaurant open. Art project house has a contemporary art approach: you have a person there to explain you the concept (what, for me, isn’t art at all if you need to listen or read to a manual of instructions). The Benesse house is a WONDERFUL Tadao Ando architecture site with a gorgeous view to the sea and a so-so contemporary art collection. On winter, from 9 museusm only 3 were open. Too many slopes to walk, buses are rare. Not...