Naoshima Island

直島

Est. 120Naoshima, Shikoku

Overview

Naoshima is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea transformed into an open-air art destination by the Benesse Art Site project. Tadao Ando's Chichu Art Museum, the Art House Project in Honmura village, and Yayoi Kusama's yellow pumpkin sculpture define a landscape where contemporary art and rural fishing-village life coexist.

Practical info

Japanese name: 直島
Nearest station: Miyanoura Port (ferry from Takamatsu, 50 min)

Loading details...

Want to visit Naoshima Island?

Build a trip to Naoshima

Featured in guides

Deep Dive · 6 min read

A Tadao Ando Route Through Japan

Board-marked concrete, controlled light, and water. A route through the Tadao Ando buildings open to visitors, from Awaji's Water Temple to Naoshima, and how to read them.

Itinerary · 6 min read

The Seto Inland Sea Art Islands

Small islands turned over to contemporary art, anchored by Naoshima's Benesse project. How the Seto Inland Sea art islands connect, what sits on each, and how to plan the ferries.

Top Picks · onomichi · 8 min read

Setouchi Art Islands Beyond Naoshima

Naoshima gets the attention, but the Setouchi islands of Teshima, Inujima, Megijima, and Ogijima offer art experiences that are equally powerful and far less crowded.