{"id":5468,"date":"2026-03-19T15:59:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T18:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marianamagcosta.com\/?p=5468"},"modified":"2026-03-20T06:37:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T09:37:37","slug":"naoshima-e-teshima-japao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marianamagcosta.com\/en\/naoshima-e-teshima-japao\/","title":{"rendered":"Naoshima and Teshima | Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

In recent decades, Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima have become internationally renowned art hubs. Art lovers from all over the world come to visit the Japanese islands, which are home to works by artists such as James Turrell and Yayoi Kusama, as well as amazing architectural projects by Tadao Ando and Ryue Nishizawa, from SANAA.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Yellow pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The most well-known island is Naoshima. Although it is home to the majority of the museums, Naoshima’s main industry is actually a Mitsubishi factory. A large proportion of the 3,000 residents work for the company.<\/p>\n

You can choose to stay in Naoshima or to take a boat there to spend the day, which was what we did. We tried to find accommodation on the island, but these book up several months in advance. In the end, we stayed in the town of Uno.<\/p>\n

The idea of transforming Naoshima into an arts centre emerged in the 1980s. The Benesse House Museum, opened in 1992, was the first museum of the complex. It was designed by Tadao Ando.<\/p>\n

Benesse House Museum, Tadao Ando<\/h3>\n
\"\"
Benesse House Museum, Tadao Ando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This museum is set at the southern tip of the island, surrounded by the sea on three sides. Given this context, the architect sought to create a semi-underground building, integrated into the slope and the natural surroundings. An object that is almost invisible within the landscape. His intention was to blur the boundary between interior and exterior.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Exhibition spaces blend seamlessly with nature and the surrounding area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Photographs by Hiroshi Sugimoto on display at an outside gallery. The project aims to bring art and nature closer together.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Photographs by Hiroshi Sugimoto on display at an outside gallery. The project aims to bring art and nature closer together.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The exhibition spaces are arranged around a central circular gallery with a high ceiling. The architecture combines pure forms and straight lines with Ando’s characteristic exposed concrete walls. The art collection includes pieces by artists such as Richard Long, John Chamberlain and Frank Stella.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
Transition between floors can be done through a ramp inside the gallery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A work by Richard Long inside the gallery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A work by Richard Long in an outdoor space, blending the exhibition with the surrounding natural environment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cArt House Project\u201d<\/h3>\n

In 1998, the \u201cArt House Project\u201d was launched, in which artists transform the interiors of traditional houses that are in need of repair. The aim of this project was to attract visitors and raise funds for the restoration of these houses. The first one was the \u201cKadoya Art House Project\u201d by the artist Miyajima Tatsuo. As it was the first intervention of its kind, he faced some resistance from the locals. To overcome this, the artist invited people to participate in the artistic process. Today, there are six other \u201cArt House Projects\u201d scattered across the island.<\/p>\n

Chichu Museum, Tadao Ando<\/h3>\n

In 2004, the Chichu Museum opened. Situated on a hill 600 metres west of the Benesse House Museum, the Chichu Museum followed the same principle of integrating art with nature. The architect chose to bury almost the entire museum. The museum was designed to house permanent works by three artists: Claude Monet, Walter de Maria and James Turrell. According to our guide, the collector was passionate about Monet\u2019s water lily paintings and, when he had the opportunity to purchase them, he decided to build an entire museum to house them and show them to the public.<\/p>\n

\"\"
In-between spaces at the Chichu Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The museum itself is a masterpiece. The path from one room to the next leads us back outside, where we can gaze up at the sky alongside the geometric forms and raw concrete of Ando\u2019s architecture.<\/p>\n

\"\"
In-between spaces at the Chichu Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Details<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Valley gallery, Tadao Ando<\/h3>\n

Another Tadao Ando project. This small pavilion with slanted walls is home to Yayoi Kusama\u2019s “Narcissus Garden<\/em>“.<\/p>\n

\"\"
“Narcissus Garden” by Yayoi Kusama<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Lee ufan museum, Tadao Ando<\/h3>\n

Lee Ufan is a South Korean artist who lives and works between France and Japan. He is a friend of Tadao Ando, so they designed the gallery together. The spaces were conceived specifically for the works on display and it was opened in 2010.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Lee Ufan Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Access to the Lee Ufan Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The sculpture Porte vers l’infini (2019) by Lee Ufan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ando Museum, Tadao Ando<\/h3>\n

Since Tadao Ando designed many of the buildings on the island, the Ando Museum was inaugurated in 2013. It is a small museum which shows drawings and models of some the architect’s iconic projects, such as the \u2018Church of Light\u2019. The exhibition includes sketches and information about the other museums throughout the island, so I consider this a good starting point for one’s visit.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Naoshima new museum of art, Tadao Ando<\/h3>\n

This is the newest museum in the Island. It opened in May 2025. As well as a restaurant with panoramic views, the museum houses a permanent collection featuring exclusively Asian artists.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Accesso to the Naoshima new museum of art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Panoramic view from the restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\" \u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
Work by South Korean artist Do Ho Suh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Teshima<\/h3>\n

Teshima is larger than Naoshima in terms of land area, but has fewer residents and museums. Our guide told us that Mitsubishi factory had considered setting up here before, but the residents were so resistant to the idea that it ended up going to Naoshima. As a result, Teshima has a calmer lifestyle and a greater natural environment, which includes many rice fields. The main artistic attraction here is the Teshima Art Museum.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Teshima Art Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Teshima Art Museum was a collaboration between architect Ryue Nishizawa and artist Rei Neito. The museum opened in 2010, same year of the first edition of the Setouchi Triennale. Photography is not allowed inside, so I only took external pictures. It is a space for contemplating art, architecture and nature.<\/p>\n

It is interesting to observe how people behave in the space. As the use of smartphones is prohibited, people really do take the time to connect with the place. Some people walk around, some sit down, others lie down (and even take a nap). Some choose a spot to meditate, others move around to appreciate different perspectives. You can stay as long as you want, so some people stay for just a few minutes whilst others remain for hours.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Source of photo: https:\/\/benesse-artsite.jp\/en\/art\/teshima-artmuseum.html<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The organic shape is the result of a construction process that involved creating a mound of earth, which was then completely excavated once the concrete had set. Here is a video showing this impressive process:<\/p>\n