Naoshima is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea with a population of about 3,000, yet it’s a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world as a mecca for contemporary art. Throughout the island, works by renowned artists and architects are dotted around, harmoniously blending with the beautiful natural scenery. In this article, we’ve carefully selected five must-visit tourist spots on Naoshima that you absolutely shouldn’t miss. We’ll provide practical information that travelers need to know, such as tips for efficient sightseeing and the best times to visit.
Naoshima Sea Station
📍 Address: 2249-40 Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan
The starting point for Naoshima sightseeing is ‘Naoshima Sea Station’, the ferry terminal located at Miyanoura Port. It’s truly the gateway to Naoshima, with ferries arriving and departing from Uno Port in Okayama Prefecture and Takamatsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture.
This building was designed by the world-renowned architect unit SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa) and completed in 2006. Its most striking features are the wide, thin, flat roof and the slender poles supporting it. The minimalist glass-paneled design offers excellent transparency, reflecting the Seto Inland Sea and the surrounding scenery while exuding an overwhelming presence.
Inside the terminal, you’ll find ticket counters, a tourist information center, a café, and souvenir shops selling local specialties, making it perfect for gathering information upon arrival or passing the time while waiting for a ferry. As it gets busy with many tourists during the day, it’s recommended to quickly arrange bus transfers or electric bicycle rentals after you arrive.
Naoshima Pavilion
📍 Address: Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan
The ‘Naoshima Pavilion’, situated along the coast not far from Miyanoura Port, is an installation art piece created by architect Sou Fujimoto to commemorate Naoshima Town’s 60th anniversary of municipal incorporation in 2015.
The concept is the ’28th island’, following the 27 islands of the Naoshima archipelago. It’s inspired by the ‘floating island phenomenon’ where distant islands appear to float in the air when atmospheric conditions above the sea surface are just right. This cloud-like polyhedron, made by welding approximately 250 triangular stainless steel meshes, is an experiential art piece where you can walk freely inside, or sit on the steps and feel the sea breeze.
We particularly recommend visiting after sunset. At night, it’s illuminated with white lights, offering a fantastic sight like a giant cocoon floating in the darkness. It presents a completely different appearance from what you see under the blue sky during the day, making it an absolute must-visit spot for an evening stroll if you’re staying on the island. The sunset viewed from near the pavilion is also breathtaking.
Naoshima Pumpkin
📍 Address: Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan
When people think of Naoshima, many are sure to picture this yellow object. It’s Yayoi Kusama’s masterpiece ‘Naoshima Pumpkin’ (or ‘Yellow Pumpkin’), installed on an old pier extending into the sea near Benesse House. Created in 1994 as her first major outdoor exhibition work, it has been cherished as a symbol of the island for over 30 years.
The pumpkin, adorned with vibrant yellow and black polka dots, stands out strikingly against the calm blue sea and sky of the Seto Inland Sea, making it incredibly photogenic. There was a shocking incident in August 2021 when it was washed away and damaged by Typhoon No. 9, but it was splendidly restored and reinstalled in October 2022, delighting our eyes once again.
As travelers gather from all over the world, long queues form from daytime to afternoon for photos with the pumpkin. If you want to appreciate and photograph it at your own pace, visiting ‘first thing in the morning’ when there are fewer people is highly recommended. The classic route is to head there from Miyanoura Port on an electric rental bicycle, enjoying the sea breeze, but you’ll need to walk a short distance from just before the installation site, so comfortable shoes are advisable.
ANDO MUSEUM
📍 Address: 736-2 Honmura, Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan
Located in the ‘Honmura district,’ known for its old townscape and ‘Art House Project,’ is the ‘ANDO MUSEUM,’ where you can trace the trajectory of world-renowned architect Tadao Ando.
At first glance, it appears to be a century-old wooden folk house blending into the townscape, but step inside, and you’re greeted by a minimalist ‘exposed concrete’ space, synonymous with Ando’s architecture. The contrasting materials of old wooden structural frames and modern concrete are wonderfully fused, creating a unique atmosphere that bridges the past and the present.
The museum is illuminated solely by natural light, and the changing shadows created by light filtering through slits at different times of day are another highlight. The exhibition rooms display the history of Ando’s activities on Naoshima, architectural sketches, and elaborate models. Although compact, it encapsulates the essence of Ando’s architecture, and visiting it as preparation before touring the southern island’s museum cluster (such as Chichu Art Museum and Lee Ufan Museum) will significantly enhance your appreciation of the art.
Naoshima Bath ‘I♥︎湯’
📍 Address: 2252-2 Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan
Suddenly appearing in an alley just near Miyanoura Port is a chaotic, vibrantly colored building. This is Naoshima Bath ‘I♥︎湯’ (I Love Yu), created by artist Shinro Ohtake. It’s an unprecedented experiential art facility where you can not only ‘appreciate art’ but also ‘actually soak in the hot water.’ Since its opening in 2009, it has been cherished as a place for genuine interaction between island residents and travelers.
Not just the exterior, but from the bath wall tiles and mosaic art in the bathroom to the ceramic fixtures in the toilets, Ohtake’s characteristic scrapbook technique explodes into a three-dimensional space. Above the wall separating the men’s and women’s baths, a giant elephant sculpture named ‘Sadako,’ said to have come from a secret museum in Hokkaido, presides, creating an overwhelmingly otherworldly space. From the phallic-like cacti on the exterior to the goldfish pond, everywhere you look, you can feel the power of nonsensical, pop art.
While operating as a public bath from evening (around 4 PM), washing away your travel sweat at the end of your Naoshima sightseeing, imbued with the power of art, is a blissful experience. The front desk sells original merchandise (T-shirts, towels, bath pails, etc.) that can only be bought here, so it’s well worth stopping by for souvenir shopping even if you don’t take a bath.
Local Tips for a Smooth Naoshima Experience
Since Naoshima’s art facilities are scattered across the island, securing transportation significantly impacts your travel satisfaction. Although there are local buses, their frequency is limited, and they can get crowded, so renting an ‘electric rental bicycle’ for freedom of movement is highly recommended. Be aware that the island’s terrain is surprisingly hilly, so a regular bicycle can quickly exhaust your stamina.
Furthermore, popular art facilities may have admission restrictions or long queues depending on the day and time. By strategically planning your time—visiting outdoor works like the ‘Naoshima Pumpkin’ early in the morning when there are fewer people, indoor facilities like the ‘ANDO MUSEUM’ during cooler hours right after opening, and then washing off your travel sweat at ‘Naoshima Bath ‘I♥︎湯” near Miyanoura Port just before your ferry departs—you can fully enjoy Naoshima’s deep charm without stress.
