When I was planning my solo trip to Japan, I knew I wanted to make a visit to Naoshima. Naoshima is known as Japan’s Art Island, and is home to some beautiful museums and artworks. Think: museums hidden within nature, stunning views, and Yayoi Kusama’s famous pumpkin sculptures sitting right by the beach. There are a lot of things to do when visiting Naoshima, and I’m happy to share what I did during my days there.
I booked 3 nights in a cute little guesthouse on the island, rented a bike to make getting around easier and made sure to prebook some of the museums. Lots of people come to Naoshima for just a day trip, which is perfect if you want to visit one or two museums. But if you want to have a better experience, not just see the art but also enjoy the surroundings, take it a bit more slowly, I’d recommend to stay at least one night!
What to do while visiting Naoshima, Japan’s Art Island
Explore the Island by Bike
One of the easiest (in my opinion, as a Dutch person) ways to discover Naoshima is by bicycle. The island is relatively small and walkable, but cycling gives you much more freedom to explore different museums, coastlines, and places at your own pace. Even if you’re only visiting for one day, it makes it possible to see a bit more during the time you have.
Almost every ride comes with views of the sea, green hills, and small fishing towns. I really enjoyed starting my day with a little bike ride, a stop at a beach, to then go visit one of the many museums Naoshima had to offer. A bike is also perfect for visiting the Art House Projects.
I rented an e-bike from OUGIYA and picked it up on my second day. Having an e-bike makes everything a lot more comfortable, because the island has some hills and it just makes it comfortable going from A to B without arriving sweaty. If you’re visiting during a busy season, reserving one in advance is recommended!
Visit the Chichu Art Museum
The Chichu Art Museum is one of the main ones on the island. Designed by architect Tadao Ando, the museum is built mostly underground so it blends naturally into the island’s landscape. If you look up some aerial photos, you can see how beautiful it’s done!
Inside, you’ll find a curated collection of artworks by artists such as Claude Monet and James Turrell. The museum itself also feels like a piece of art. Natural light changes the atmosphere inside, making every room feel slightly different throughout the day. A morning visit will be completely different from an afternoon visit.
A few things to know: Photography is also not allowed, which in my opinion makes the experience more special. Tickets regularly sell out, so it’s best to reserve them as soon as you know your travel dates.
See Yayoi Kusama’s Famous Pumpkins
You can’t visit Naoshima without seeing the iconic pumpkins by Yayoi Kusama. They have become symbols of the island and are for probably the most photographed spots in the area. Yes, I also went and took some photos. After seeing a solo exhibition on Yayoi Kusama’s life and work in Denmark many many years ago, I’ve been super interested in seeing her works wherever I can.
What makes them special is the setting. Giant polka-dot pumpkins placed right next to the sea? Definitely not your average beach view. The pumpkins are located outdoors, so you can visit them freely without needing museum tickets.
Experience Art and Architecture at Benesse House Museum
Another must-visit on Naoshima is the Benesse House Museum, also designed by Tadao Ando. You won’t just find art within the gallery walls. Sculptures and installations are spread across indoor and outdoor spaces, making the surrounding nature become part of the experience. The museum was the first major art space built on Naoshima and played a huge role in turning the island into the art destination it is today.
Your ticket also includes access to the Valley Gallery. Hidden in nature, this space features Narcissus Garden by Yayoi Kusama. You can expect hundreds of reflective silver spheres scattered across the gallery, and in the greenery. Personally, this ended up being one of my favorite places on the island.
Visit all the Art House Projects
Contemporary art and traditional Japanese architecture come together in the Art House Project on Naoshima Island. Several old houses, temples, and historic buildings have been transformed into art installations. Every location feels different, which makes exploring them super fun. Some spaces are minimal and peaceful, while others can be a bit strange or over the top. In a good way.
If besides visiting the big museums, you have extra time on the island, I’d definitely recommend visiting the Art House Projects. You can explore most of them by foot, but if you rent a bike, it’s a fun way to go from one to the other. You can buy tickets at Honmura Lounge & Archive, where you’ll also receive a small stamp card to collect stamps from each location.
Explore More Museums Around the Island
It’s easy to fill your days museum-hopping around Naoshima. Besides the more famous spots like Benesse House Museum and Chichu Art Museum, there are several smaller museums and galleries worth visiting. That’s why I recommend staying at least one or two nights on the island, so you will actually have time to do this.
For example, there is the Lee Ufan Museum. It combines minimalist works by Korean artist Lee Ufan with another beautiful building by Tadao Ando. Located near the coast, the entire space feels calm and meditative. You can enjoy some artworks inside as well as outside.
Another place not to miss is the Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors. I visited this one almost by accident and ended up loving it. The architecture, photography collection, and atmosphere make it feel intimate compared to some of the island’s larger museums. Your ticket even includes a drink like matcha tea. Drinking tea in a space that beautiful with a view over the island, is a memorable tea for sure.
If you’re interested in architecture itself, the Ando Museum is a must too! It offers a closer look into the work and philosophy of Tadao Ando. Set inside a traditional Japanese house, the contrast between old wooden interiors and Ando’s modern concrete additions is impressive.
Relax at Naoshima Bath “I ♥︎湯”
After a long day of cycling and museum visits, there’s probably no better place to unwind than Naoshima Bath I Love Yu. Created by artist Shinro Ohtake, this public bathhouse is both a functioning sento and an art installation. The interior is colorful, chaotic, and full of unexpected details, making it feel very different from a traditional Japanese bathhouse experience.
Take a Day Trip to Teshima Island
If you have extra time, consider taking the ferry to Teshima Island. Much like Naoshima, the island is known for its contemporary art spaces. The biggest highlight is the Teshima Art Museum, a minimalist museum space. I sadly didn’t have enough time to visit, and found out about this place a little bit too late to still make it work. So, if you read this, and you have yet to plan your trip, keep this in mind 😉
The ferry schedules are limited and museum tickets should be booked in advance, so planning ahead is important.
Stay Overnight in a Traditional Guesthouse
Although many people visit Naoshima as a day trip, staying overnight completely changes the experience. Once the last ferries leave, the island becomes quiet and (even more) peaceful. For a more local experience, I’d recommend staying in a traditional Japanese guesthouse or ryokan. I stayed at Guesthouse Roji to Akari, which offers both dorm beds and private rooms.
The walls are definitely thin, something you’ll quickly notice in many traditional Japanese buildings, but the place itself was so beautiful and cozy. The shared kitchen and common spaces also made it easy to meet other travelers.
I tried to make the most of my days on Naoshima island, and feel like I managed to do so pretty well. There were some small stores I visited, a cute place for tea and dessert and I also spent time wandering around after visiting the museums. If you are into art, you will love this place. I’m sure.
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