Go'o Shrine Honden: Main Shrine — Local services in Naoshima

Naoshima Island is an Art lovers dream with unique sculptures and installations placed around the island awaiting discovery. One of the more interesting of these is Hiroshi Sugimoto's Go-Oh Shrine which he revived as a piece of "imaginary architecture" in keeping with ancient Shinto worship. The main structure with pitched roof appears normal but for its reduced size and elevation but appearing to float in front of it is a set of steps roughly hewn from optical-glass. These disappear into the ground and it is only when stepping away from the shrine that an underground passage becomes clear. Barely shoulder width and pitch black you are led to a space beneath the shrine where the glass steps begin. Upon leaving the passage reveals a perfect framing of the sea beyond, a wonderful nod to Sugimoto's 'Seascapes'. The feeling is of being guided through a cycle and emerging anew, from ground to subterranean and out into the meeting of...

A very pleasant and unique place to visit. The blending of traditional Shinto shrine architecture with contemporary artistic elements creates a truly special atmosphere. The glass steps and underground passage are especially impressive and thought-provoking.

I highly recommend supporting this project, as it allows artists to continue creating such inspiring and meaningful sites. A wonderful example of how art and spirituality can...

I like it that a modern artist has used a simple interpretation of ancient beliefs to make accessibility happen for non Shinto followers. People worship here and tourists come to gaze. It’s a...