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  4. I went to Japan for the first time and the coolest thing I did was visit a tiny island I'd never heard of filled with experiential art. Take a look around.

I went to Japan for the first time and the coolest thing I did was visit a tiny island I'd never heard of filled with experiential art. Take a look around.

Kennedy Hill   

I went to Japan for the first time and the coolest thing I did was visit a tiny island I'd never heard of filled with experiential art. Take a look around.
The author spent two weeks traveling through central Japan when she visited the country for the first time.Kennedy Hill
  • I spent two weeks traveling around Japan through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
  • The major cities were amazing, but crowds of tourists made some of my experience feel generic.

Welcome to Naoshima, a Japanese island located in the Seto Inland Sea. By train and ferry, it's about two and a half hours from Osaka.

Welcome to Naoshima, a Japanese island located in the Seto Inland Sea. By train and ferry, it
The island of Naoshima in Japan's Seto Inland Sea.      Getty/ImagesTakami Shimura

Naoshima is one of Japan's 'art islands,' a group of remote islands that are home to numerous contemporary art museums and outdoor installations that blend into the region's stunning landscape.

Naoshima is one of Japan
The Seto Inland Sea.      Shutterstock/oku20161225

The art islands project began in the 1980s when Japanese businessman Soichiro Fukutake worked with local leaders to revitalize the islands' cultural status and economic development, according to Forbes.

The art islands project began in the 1980s when Japanese businessman Soichiro Fukutake worked with local leaders to revitalize the islands
A view of gardens at the Seto Inland Sea on Naoshima.      Getty Images/Eric Lafforgue/Art In All Of Us

Source: Forbes

The region also hosts the Setouchi Triennale, a festival that began in 2010 and promotes new artwork and installations on the islands. The event takes place every three years, most recently in 2022.

The region also hosts the Setouchi Triennale, a festival that began in 2010 and promotes new artwork and installations on the islands. The event takes place every three years, most recently in 2022.
A 2019 Setouchi Triennale installation.      Shutterstock/gniyoug

I rode an hour-long bullet train from Osaka to Okayama to meet up with a friend, and we took a 40-minute train to Uno Station in the seaside city of Tamano. From Tamano, we caught a ferry to Naoshima.

I rode an hour-long bullet train from Osaka to Okayama to meet up with a friend, and we took a 40-minute train to Uno Station in the seaside city of Tamano. From Tamano, we caught a ferry to Naoshima.
The author in Japan (L) and taking ramen on the bullet train from Osaka (R).      Kennedy Hill

After docking on the island at Port Miyanoura, one of two ferry ports, I was immediately greeted by the "Red Pumpkin" sculpture from Yayoi Kusama, a contemporary Japanese artist known for her polka-dot designs.

After docking on the island at Port Miyanoura, one of two ferry ports, I was immediately greeted by the "Red Pumpkin" sculpture from Yayoi Kusama, a contemporary Japanese artist known for her polka-dot designs.
The "Red Pumpkin" sculpture by Yayoi Kusama.      Kennedy Hill

From the pumpkin and dock, I could also see a nearby, massive steel-net structure by architect Sou Fujimoto, which I was able to climb inside.

From the pumpkin and dock, I could also see a nearby, massive steel-net structure by architect Sou Fujimoto, which I was able to climb inside.
The author poses in a sculpture by architect Sou Fujimoto.      Kennedy Hill

I saw a few people waiting to take pictures of the pumpkin, but compared to the crowds I'd seen a few days before in Tokyo, it felt like a ghost town. At the visitor's center near the dock, I grabbed a free brochure with a map of the island and attractions.

I saw a few people waiting to take pictures of the pumpkin, but compared to the crowds I
A view of the beach in Naoshima.      Kennedy Hill

Naoshima is only about 5.5 square miles. I saw other visitors riding bikes, and there was a public bus system, but my friend and I decided we felt like walking, and spent roughly two hours making our way around the island.

Naoshima is only about 5.5 square miles. I saw other visitors riding bikes, and there was a public bus system, but my friend and I decided we felt like walking, and spent roughly two hours making our way around the island.
People riding bikes in Naoshima.      Kennedy Hill

The map showed a circular route that traveled through all of the island's outdoor installations and museums. Following this route, I headed to the northern end of the island and the town of Honmura.

The map showed a circular route that traveled through all of the island
The town of Honmura.      Kennedy Hill

I saw hostels, mom-and-pop restaurants, and installations scattered throughout Honmura's neighborhoods.

I saw hostels, mom-and-pop restaurants, and installations scattered throughout Honmura
Mom-and-pop storefronts in Honmura.      Kennedy Hill

One of my favorite displays in Honmura was a two-story metalwork structure. It was part of the Art House Project, where local artists transformed abandoned buildings into 3D artworks. The project's website says the building, called Haisha, was once a dentist's office before being made into an exhibit.

One of my favorite displays in Honmura was a two-story metalwork structure. It was part of the Art House Project, where local artists transformed abandoned buildings into 3D artworks. The project
Haisha was once a dentist's home.      Kennedy Hill

Another building in Honmura, called Kadoya, was also transformed into an exhibit by the Art House Project, and had lights on the floor that flashed on and off in a coordinated display.

Another building in Honmura, called Kadoya, was also transformed into an exhibit by the Art House Project, and had lights on the floor that flashed on and off in a coordinated display.
Lights in the building flashed on and off.      Kennedy Hill

However, the most immersive experience for me in Honmura was an exhibit called Minamidera, which plays with how visitors' eyes adjust to light while walking through an initially pitch-black space.

However, the most immersive experience for me in Honmura was an exhibit called Minamidera, which plays with how visitors
The author found Minamidera to be the most immersive exhibit.      Kennedy Hill

Outside of the formal exhibits, I saw pops of street art around the island, like colorful figures on the sides of several buildings.

Outside of the formal exhibits, I saw pops of street art around the island, like colorful figures on the sides of several buildings.
Naoshima also has colorful street art.      Kennedy Hill

Between stops at different installations throughout Naoshima, my friend and I also marveled at temples with historic architecture.

Between stops at different installations throughout Naoshima, my friend and I also marveled at temples with historic architecture.
The author spent time visiting the Gokuraku-ji Temple.      Kennedy Hill

Source: Tripadvisor

Since I visited in mid-March around the beginning of cherry blossom season, I saw some trees near Gokuraku-ji Temple in bloom. Though, not as many as I saw a few days earlier in Tokyo's Ueno Park, the site of a large cherry blossom festival.

Since I visited in mid-March around the beginning of cherry blossom season, I saw some trees near Gokuraku-ji Temple in bloom. Though, not as many as I saw a few days earlier in Tokyo
The author visited during cherry blossom season.      Kennedy Hill

Most of the attractions I saw on the south side of the island were part of the Benesse Art Site, a seaside property with a resort and museums that provided free shuttle buses between multiple galleries.

Most of the attractions I saw on the south side of the island were part of the Benesse Art Site, a seaside property with a resort and museums that provided free shuttle buses between multiple galleries.
The Benesse Art Site is a resort with museums.      Kennedy Hill

A path along the beach leading to the Benesse House hotel was lined with whimsical animal sculptures that appeared to double as plant holders. I also walked by a gift shop, spa, and restaurant.

A path along the beach leading to the Benesse House hotel was lined with whimsical animal sculptures that appeared to double as plant holders. I also walked by a gift shop, spa, and restaurant.
Colorful animal sculptures holding plants along a path through the Benesse Art Site.      Kennedy Hill

After passing the first colorful sculptures, I continued along the path through the property and saw more minimalist, geometric structures.

After passing the first colorful sculptures, I continued along the path through the property and saw more minimalist, geometric structures.
Minimalist outdoor sculptures on Naoshima.      Kennedy Hill

We wrapped up our day at the Lee Ufan Museum, where we saw works by the contemporary Korean artist it's named after, and it appeared mostly empty of tourists. It felt peaceful, especially after visiting crowded museums in Japan's larger cities.

We wrapped up our day at the Lee Ufan Museum, where we saw works by the contemporary Korean artist it
In the Lee Ufan museum.      Kennedy Hill

Before boarding our return ferry to Tamano, we took photos with Yayoi Kusama's "Yellow Pumpkin," a replica of the original sculpture that was swept away by a typhoon in 2021.

Before boarding our return ferry to Tamano, we took photos with Yayoi Kusama
The author posing with the "Yellow Pumpkin" sculpture by Yayoi Kusama.      Kennedy Hill

Source: CNN

I didn't have time to see all of Naoshima, but this day trip was still the highlight of my time in Japan. After feeling overwhelmed in some of Japan's larger cities, it was a welcome relief to absorb the stillness of this artistic island.

I didn
The author says visiting Naoshima was the highlight of her trip to Japan.      Kennedy Hill

Next time though, I'd stay for a weekend to visit the other art islands surrounding Naoshima, and maybe even get a massage at the Benesse House Spa.

Next time though, I
The Benesse House hotel on Naoshima.      Hotel Benesse House

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