[2025 Naoshima Stay] Travel Guide for Benesse House (Updated Jun)

#cityplaybook #stunningview #historicallandmarks Location: Naoshima Island, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan Hashtags: #BenesseArtSite #NaoshimaIsland #ArtMeetsNature #JapanArtIsland #ContemporaryZen #TadaoAndoArchitecture #IslandMuseums #ArtEscapeJapan #YayoiKusamaNaoshima #MinimalistWander Imagine a remote Japanese island where museums rise from cliffs, sculptures rest on beaches, and architecture blends seamlessly with sea and sky. Welcome to Benesse Art Site Naoshima—a cultural wonderland on Naoshima Island, where contemporary art, minimalist design, and natural beauty come together in quiet harmony. The vision began in the 1990s, when the Benesse Corporation partnered with world-renowned architect Tadao Ando to transform the sleepy Seto Inland Sea island into an immersive art experience. Today, the site includes the Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum, and Lee Ufan Museum, each integrating art into the land itself. Think: Monet’s Water Lilies glowing in natural light beneath the earth, or concrete structures opening to the sky and sea. Wander the island and you’ll encounter Yayoi Kusama’s iconic pumpkin sculptures, outdoor installations on beaches and piers, and restored traditional homes turned into experimental art spaces under the Art House Project. But this isn’t just a museum trip—it’s a journey into stillness, creativity, and connection. Whether you're biking between exhibits, watching the sun set behind Kusama’s Yellow Pumpkin, or sleeping inside the Benesse House itself, every moment feels curated—yet deeply personal. For art lovers, minimalists, or seekers of quiet beauty, Benesse Art Site Naoshima is not just a destination—it’s a revelation.

#getgoing2025 Benesse House (Naoshima) Location: On the art island of Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea. Unique Features: A unique hotel that combines modern art with stunning natural surroundings. Features a museum, art installations throughout the property, and rooms with ocean views. Offers a truly immersive art and nature experience. Why it's special: Offers a unique and inspiring experience for art lovers and those seeking a peaceful escape in a beautiful setting. Perfect for: Art enthusiasts, those seeking a unique and inspiring experience, and those who appreciate modern architecture and design.

Naoshima is the first stop on our island-hopping journey from Takamatsu, known for its famous Yayoi Kusama pumpkin and numerous art museums. Here's a detailed itinerary: 1️⃣ 8:12-9:02 Takamatsu to Naoshima (990 yen round trip, purchase tickets in advance at the automatic ticket machine next to the slow ferry ticket window, queue up after buying, and enjoy breakfast at the observation seats on the second floor). 2️⃣ 9:10 [Red Pumpkin] You can see Yayoi Kusama's Red Pumpkin as soon as you disembark at the pier. 3️⃣ 9:20 Rent an electric bicycle (we pre-booked at a nearby bicycle shop on Google Maps, and got the bike quickly). 4️⃣ 10:15 [Chichu Art Museum] (book your time on the official website in advance, arrive five minutes early, ticket price 2100 yen). No photography is allowed inside, but you can take photos outside, perfect for an immersive experience. 5️⃣ 12:00 [Time Corridor] (book in advance on the official website, ticket price 1500 yen). Hiroshi Sugimoto's Time Corridor is not only an art exhibition hall but also has a restaurant next door where you can rest, have tea, and enjoy snacks included in the ticket. 6️⃣ 13:00 [Yellow Pumpkin] Located by the sea at the entrance of the Time Corridor. 7️⃣ 13:15 [Seaside Shrine] There is a beautiful seaside shrine near the entrance of the Time Corridor and Yellow Pumpkin! 8️⃣ 13:30 [Chuo Cafe] After leaving the Time Corridor, head north to Chuo Cafe for a meal. The rural Japanese setting instantly transports you into an anime! We ordered curry omelet rice and a small cake, which were delicious! (Open 11:30-15:00, 17:30-21:00, closed on Tuesdays). 9️⃣ 14:30 Ride back to the port. It's particularly sunny at this time, so consider staying indoors at another cafe or visiting a museum. 🔟 17:00 Slow ferry back to Takamatsu. *Naoshima has many museums; due to the intense sun, we chose a few to visit, but there are others worth seeing: Ando Museum (520 yen), Lee Ufan Museum (1050 yen, many outdoor installations), Benesse House (1300 yen, hotel and museum). #TakamatsuJapan #SetoInlandSea #Naoshima #NaoshimaPumpkin #NaoshimaDayTrip #TakamatsuIslandHopping #ChichuArtMuseum #HiroshiSugimotoTimeCorridor #YayoiKusamaPumpkin #TakamatsuGuide #JapanTakamatsuGuide #JapanSummer #JapanSeaView #JapanTravelGuide

I can say for sure! It's a place worth going out of your way to stay there 😌 I stayed at Benesse House in Naoshima 🥰 It was better than I expected! They took me to the hotel by bus from the port, and there was a nighttime gallery tour of the art museum, so I was very satisfied ✨ The best thing about it was the booklet they gave me when I checked in. It explains how to enjoy traveling and the essence of it in a very simple way. I went there without a plan, so it was really helpful 🙌 It's great to go with someone, but it's also a great place to spend time alone ❤ You can have a conversation about yourself, the world, and life through the place, space, artwork, and nature ☺️ I thought that an island of art might be a bit of a fad, but I realized that such worries are unnecessary in the face of the overwhelming majesty of nature and the warmth of the people ✨ Naoshima is a great place 📍 Spot information ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Name: Benesse House Address: Kotodanji, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa Prefecture #besttrip2023 #Naoshima #BenesseHouse #HotelStay #KagawaTourism #IslandTrip #SoloTrip