Naoshima

Sandy beaches, sunny weather, laid back atmosphere––what more could you ask of an island?  Throw some fantastic contemporary art into the mix and you have Naoshima. With numerous  installations, sculptures, and art museums crammed onto this tiny island in the Seto Inland Sea,  Naoshima is one of the world’s most unique destinations for art lovers.

Two of the most iconic pieces here are Yayoi Kusama’s signature psychedelic pumpkins––one  yellow, one red. But that’s just the beginning. A whole day is barely enough to take in all of the art on Naoshima, from the Tadao Ando-designed Benesse House Museum and Art House Project  to the intriguing I Love Yu bathhouse and Lee Ufan Museum. It’s an art experience unlike any other in Japan.

Don’t overlook Teshima, another art island in the Seto Inland Sea that’s a short ferry ride away. It  might not have Yayoi Kusama’s iconic pumpkins, but there’s plenty to keep art lovers happy.  By far and away the most popular is its main art museum, an elegant concrete structure designed  by Ryue Nishizawa and Rie Naito to resemble a water droplet.

Other artworks worth checking out include Les Archives du Cœur and the Teshima Yokoo House,  which features the vibrant and zany paintings of Tadanori Yokoo. Like Naoshima, Teshima  deserves at least half a day to a full day to explore its offerings.