Naoshima - the island of art

Naoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture (Japan) has only 3,000 inhabitants but is a famous destination that tourists cannot miss.

The highlight of this island is the exhibition areas and outdoor artworks of many famous painters, sculptors, and installation artists from within and outside Japan.

Visitors can take a boat from Takamatsu City to Miyanoura Port, located on the west side of Naoshima Island. The first thing that impresses visitors when they arrive here is the giant pumpkin statue located on the wharf. The pumpkin is the work of famous sculptor and contemporary artist Kusama Yayoi; at the same time, it is considered a symbol of Naoshima Island. Visitors can see pumpkins everywhere, from murals to tourist buses to Honmura District on the east side of the island.

In 1998, the Naoshima Island government, the BenesseEducation Corporation, and architect Ando Tadao joined forces to turn the Honmura district into an “art museum in everyday life.” Ando Tadao’s most famous work in Honmura is the Chichu Art Museum, an underground museum. Chichu resembles a bunker system built into the heart of a hill, but has many skylights to bring natural light into the exhibition area. The most spectacular is the room designed by American installation artist James Turrell. Depending on where the sun hits the room, visitors will see a different optical illusion.

There are 7 old houses in Honmura that Ando Tadao and other artists have turned into extremely unique works of art. For example, next to the house named Kadoya is a large water tank with 125 LED countdown clocks inside, each running at a different speed. The Gokaisho house, where the islanders used to gather to play Go, has been turned into an art installation depicting the breaking of all barriers of space and time. Visitors who want to visit the 7 houses should make reservations in advance because the waiting list is very long.

For those who want to relax after a long day of exploring the works of art, please come to the bathhouse with a very special name: I love yu (I♥湯, meaning “I love you”). I love yu was designed by artist Ohtake Shinro, famous for the dreamy quality of his works. Visitors entering the bathhouse feel as if they are lost in a dream.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/naoshima-hon-dao-nghe-thuat-695945.html