Japan’s “art islands” represent a growing phenomenon in the Seto Inland Sea area (or Setouchi): a flourishing of contemporary art and architecture set against spectacular scenery. From tiny islands with a handful of residents to large islands with tons to see and do, each art island offers a unique experience to visitors, often blending contemporary art with ancient cultural traditions.

This guide introduces Naoshima, the first and most popular “art island.” We also introduce nearby islands that are easy to get to from Naoshima. While this guide covers islands that are part of the Setouchi Triennale, it is not a Triennale guide. Instead, here you’ll find information that is useful whenever you visit. This guide originally appeared on the Art Island Center website, but has been updated and moved here.

Contents

1. Introduction to Naoshima
2. What to do on Naoshima
3. Other islands near Naoshima
4. Tips for savvy island explorers
5. Art island transportation
6. Lodging on and around Naoshima
7. Dining and shopping

Introduction to Naoshima

Naoshima is a small island in the eastern Seto Inland Sea, halfway between Hiroshima and Osaka. It has been the site of major art-related development since the early 1990s and now hosts several museums by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando. The island’s collection includes major artworks by internationally celebrated artists like Claude Monet, James Turrell, Yayoi Kusama, and Hiroshi Sugimoto. Other highlights include artworks taking the forms of a functioning bathhouse and a Shinto shrine, blurring the boundary between art and life. Its troupe of all-women bunraku puppeteers is unique to Naoshima.

Despite its small size, Naoshima has a surprisingly varied mix of cafes and restaurants, featuring local fish burgers, artisan pizza, and gelato, as well as classic Japanese fare like sushi and okonomiyaki. Visitors who spend the night on Naoshima can choose from luxury rooms on the museum grounds, traditional guesthouses, or even Mongolian yurts on the island’s southern shore.

While the north side of the island holds a sprawling factory campus, the southern end is lush and green, with nice beaches and a few hidden nature trails. The island’s ports also offer direct connections to two neighboring “art islands,” Teshima and Inujima. Still others are accessible via a quick stopover on the mainland.

This guide is the product of many years spent living on Naoshima, exploring the island and its neighbors, and talking with visitors from near and far. Please use it to plan your trip out here, keep it handy to refer to while you’re on the islands, and share it with those who come after you.

Please report any errors to info@artisland.jp.

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