The art island itself — Benesse House on Naoshima, where the Yayoi Kusama pumpkins sit against the Seto Inland Sea. Museum, hotel, and landscape fused into one. It’s a full-day pilgrimage; the ferry ride is part of the art.
→ Touristy · Full dayRegion
Setouchi
Naoshima is hype hype but definitely worth it.
The Seto Inland Sea: Hiroshima’s art museums, Naoshima’s art island, and Okayama — the birthplace of Japanese denim.
Must-visit shortlist
Naoshima · ★ 4.3 (2,670) Benesse House Museum —
Otake · ★ 4.4 (1,108) Simose Art Museum —
A stunner on the Seto Inland Sea — Shigeru Ban’s waterfront museum, with gallery villas that seem to float on the water. The architecture is the headline act, but the collection holds its own. Worth the trip from Hiroshima; give it half a day and the sunset if you can.
The hotel on-site is lovely, and allows you to view the outdoor works after dark. However, there is very little in the way of conveniences / amenities on-site or even nearby. We ended up grabbing food from the closest conbini.
→ Half dayShop
Okayama · ★ 4.4 (128) Momotaro Jeans Okayama —
Momotaro’s home turf — the Okayama shop, in the city where the brand (and Japanese denim) was born. Going to the source matters here; the peach logo means more on its native soil. The pilgrimage every denimhead should make once.
→See & do
Naoshima · ★ 4.3 (2,670) Benesse House Museum —
The art island itself — Benesse House on Naoshima, where the Yayoi Kusama pumpkins sit against the Seto Inland Sea. Museum, hotel, and landscape fused into one. It’s a full-day pilgrimage; the ferry ride is part of the art.
→ Touristy · Full day Otake · ★ 4.4 (1,108) Simose Art Museum —
A stunner on the Seto Inland Sea — Shigeru Ban’s waterfront museum, with gallery villas that seem to float on the water. The architecture is the headline act, but the collection holds its own. Worth the trip from Hiroshima; give it half a day and the sunset if you can.
The hotel on-site is lovely, and allows you to view the outdoor works after dark. However, there is very little in the way of conveniences / amenities on-site or even nearby. We ended up grabbing food from the closest conbini.
→ Half day