Japanese Art Island

Pico iyer enjoys a moment of serenity mood indigo.

Japanese art island. Much of naoshima s art was installed by the. The island s big ticket draw though is mr. Soon after in july 1992 the benesse house museum opened on naoshima. The project started with the establishment of the naoshima international camping ground in 1989.

Known for its waterfront pumpkin sculptures it also has a wealth of other outdoor art and museums mixed in with its old industrial infrastructure and traditional villages. The integrated hotel museum was designed by reputed self taught japanese architect tadao ando the entry of the grounds marked by prolific japanese artist writer yayoi kusama s famous yellow pumpkin 1994. Japan may have more contemporary art spaces than you can poke a paintbrush at but none come quite as scenic as the small tranquil island of naoshima bobbing in the inland sea. The art island of naoshima is dotted with calming concrete installations a world away from tokyo s frenetic pace.

4 reasons to visit naoshima japan s island of art. Naoshima commonly known as japan s art island is a tiny island in the seto inland sea and one of our absolute favorite places in japan. Until the early 1990s naoshima was a remote and sleepy island but thanks in large part to an art loving japanese businessman s vision it has gradually become one of the world s most unique destinations for art lovers and travelers seeking. Part of kagawa prefecture the island with its mediterranean atmosphere sandy beaches and sunny weather combined with a laid back rural feel is a relaxing getaway from japan s large urban areas such as tokyo and osaka.

The enchanting ancient forests of japan s eden. Naoshima 直島 is an island in the seto inland sea that is known for its modern art museums architecture and sculptures. Ando s chichu art museum. Benesse art site naoshima is a collective name for the art activities conducted by benesse holdings and the fukutake foundation on naoshima teshima and inujima.

Naoshima japan s art island. Chichu means in the ground and indeed the museum built into a hilltop is entirely underground though it doesn. Hidden amongst some 3 000 mostly uninhabited islands in the seto inland sea there lies a cluster of art islands filled with surreal art installations cutting edge museums and architectural gems the naoshima japan art islands.