Enjoy a special stay that stimulates your senses at a lodging in Naoshima, a mecca for contemporary art.

Naoshima, a "Mecca for Contemporary Art" floating in the Seto Inland Sea

Among the islands that are the stage for the Setouchi Triennale, Naoshima is known as a "contemporary art mecca" that attracts art lovers from both Japan and abroad. Although it belongs to Kagawa Prefecture, it is easily accessible from both Kagawa and Okayama prefectures, making it a travel destination where you can experience contemporary art in a relaxed atmosphere while sightseeing.

To get to Naoshima from Takamatsu Airport, take a bus to Takamatsu Station, then take a ferry from Takamatsu Port near the station for about 30 minutes. From Okayama Airport, take a bus and train to Uno Port, then take the ferry for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can also plan an itinerary that uses Takamatsu Airport on the way there, stays on Naoshima, and returns from Okayama Airport (or vice versa), and by staying on Naoshima, you can enjoy a trip that visits both Kagawa and Okayama prefectures.

Naoshima developed long ago as a salt-producing and shipping industry. It's hard to give up the homely hospitality of a guesthouse where you can experience island life firsthand, but in recent years, several sophisticated lodgings have been established where the stay itself is an art experience. In this article, we will introduce three lodgings where the stay itself will stimulate your senses, from a lodging symbolizing the "holy land of contemporary art," to a lodging where you can enjoy both art and nature, to a notable lodging scheduled to open in 2022.

A symbol of the "holy land of contemporary art": "Benesse House" designed by Tadao Ando

Benesse House Museum opened in 1992 as a facility combining an art museum and a hotel. When talking about accommodations on Naoshima, the name Benesse House is surely the first to come to mind. Here, not only the shared spaces, but also the guest rooms, the beach surrounding the facility, and even the forest are all places of art. This is a hotel where you can have the special experience of "falling asleep in art."

Most of the building is buried underground, taking advantage of the slope of the land. It was designed by Tadao Ando, one of Japan's world-renowned architects. Large openings were installed throughout the building without disturbing the island's scenery, and the slopes connecting each floor allow you to enjoy the beautiful view of the Seto Inland Sea.

Benesse House has four different accommodations. The "Oval" has just six rooms and combines the nature of Setouchi with Ando's architecture; the "Museum" is located inside the art museum and is closest to the artworks; and the "Park" and "Beach" are surrounded by nature and were newly opened in 2006. Although the layout is simple, the spaces are unique, and each is designed to allow visitors to become acquainted with art in a different way.

By choosing based on the scenery and art you want to see, and your style of stay, such as "I want to enjoy outdoor artwork from my room" or "I want to stay in a room decorated with works by an artist," you can enjoy art experiences with different charms.

Nearby is the Chichu Art Museum, also designed by Tadao Ando. Like the Benesse House Museum, most of the building is submerged underground to avoid interfering with the landscape.

The Chichu Art Museum is characterized by its space, which has been designed to be as minimal as possible. Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" and Walter De Maria's artwork "Time/Timeless/No Time" can be viewed in natural light, and even those who are familiar with modern art will be inspired by the open environment that is different from the usual.

Benesse House

"SANA MANE" stands on the beach, like a piece of island art.

Located in a great location facing the beach, SANA MANE is a glamping resort facility that opened in 2019. The dome-shaped tents, made up of multiple triangular structures, look like a piece of island art when viewed from afar.

Especially at the moment before the sun goes down, the sunset and the unique exterior of the building match up to create a fantastical sight. It's also fun to admire this artistic sight from a little distance away.

SANA MANE has a Finnish-style tent sauna. Of course, instead of a cold bath, you can also dive into the Seto Inland Sea right in front of you, which is a unique way to enjoy this place. During the day, you can explore the art on the island, and at night, you can sweat it out in the glamping sauna in a special place known as the "holy land of contemporary art." You can enjoy an experience that truly "rejuvenates" your body and mind.

Nearby is the Naoshima public bath "I Love Yu", an art facility designed by Shinro Ohtake where you can actually take a bath, so you can enjoy both a Finnish sauna and a Japanese public bath during your stay.

Another advantage of this hotel is that it faces the sea, allowing you to experience the rich nature of the Seto Inland Sea. In addition to enjoying the art, you can also enjoy the soothing sounds of the waves, the beautiful starry sky, and the soft sea breeze blowing across the islands.

SANA MAN

Opening in 2022. Ryokan Rokasumi is dotted with contemporary Japanese art.

Ryokan Rokasumi is scheduled to open in April 2022. Tickets, which can be reserved in advance during the Setouchi Triennale, are selling well, making this a lodging that is currently attracting attention.

There are only 11 guest rooms: 8 "Deluxe Suites," 2 "Premium Suites," and 1 "Rokasumi Suite." Each room is equipped with an open-air bath. Since only a small number of guests can stay, you are guaranteed a high level of privacy and time to quietly enjoy the art.

The hotel will mainly feature works by contemporary Japanese artists, and will promote fresh art from young artists to the world. In addition, all guest rooms and the restaurant will have original artworks on display and for sale as part of special exhibitions. The deep time spent immersed in art at Ryokan Rokasumi will provide a different kind of stimulation than viewing artworks at a gallery or museum.

In addition, the Gomi Ichifu cuisine, which combines sour, bitter, sweet, spicy and salty flavors, allows you to taste fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, and the tasteful tableware selected to match the food is also another enjoyable feature.

Ryokan Rokasumi is conveniently located just a two-minute walk from Honmura Village, the center of Naoshima. In addition to the ANDO MUSEUM, you can efficiently enjoy multiple popular art sites, including Minami-dera Temple, Haisha, and Go-o Shrine, which are part of the Art House Project. Why not enjoy a dream stay for art lovers, touring the island's art during the day and quietly immersing yourself in art at the inn at night?

Ryokan Rokasumi

Naoshima will host the Setouchi Triennale in 2022. Why not stay on Naoshima, where the time you spend there is an art experience in itself, and spend a rich time immersed in art from morning to night? New accommodation facilities have also opened, so even those who have visited before will be able to enjoy new discoveries and new stay styles.