[2024 Kagawa District Attraction] Travel Guide for Yellow Pumpkin (Updated Nov)
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Address:
Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5-1 hour
Phone:
+81 87-892-2030
Setouchi Triennale 2025 is Scheduled!
Every three years, art enthusiasts from around the world flock to the Seto Inland Sea region to admire the works of artists like Yayoi Kusama, Tadao Ando, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Cai Guo-Qiang. The festival not only showcases various outdoor and indoor art pieces but also includes craft markets, food festivals, and performances.
As the 2025 Setouchi Triennale approaches, one of the most anticipated highlights is Tadao Ando's 10th architectural work on Naoshima. Another notable landmark is the artwork "Pumpkin" by Japan's avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, known as the "Queen of Polka Dots." The most popular spot on the island is the large yellow pumpkin by the sea, often referred to as the "Pumpkin at the End of the World" due to its location by the vast ocean.
The yellow pumpkin has had its share of challenges; it was damaged by a typhoon in 2021, but Kusama's team has since recreated and reinforced it to withstand future storms. On Teshima, the "Heart Archive" allows visitors to listen to heartbeats from around the world and record their own, preserving evidence of existence in the most romantic way. This year, as in previous years, "Art Appreciation Passports" and "Cruise Tickets" are expected to be available. Filling an entire passport with stamps brings a sense of pride, while cruise tickets make island hopping convenient.
Alternatively, visitors can opt for the Seto Inland Sea JR PASS, which offers unlimited reserved seat exchanges, providing great value.
#Art #SetoInlandSea #SetouchiTriennale #Japan #Travel #ArtInspiration #ArtFestival
_DreamWeaver
Exploring the World of Naoshima
Before the Setouchi Triennale 2025, let's explore this sacred island, a pilgrimage site for many art enthusiasts. With limited time, there's a debate on whether to visit Naoshima or Teshima, or even attempt a whirlwind tour of both in one day. However, once on Naoshima, its charm convinced us to change to the latest ferry. The art installations, road designs, and graffiti corners are endless to explore.
The most famous are Yayoi Kusama's red and yellow pumpkins, located at the start and end of the journey. A red polka-dotted pumpkin bus picks you up, adding to the fun. (Thanks to the driver for waiting for us to exchange money and even coming to find us!) Biking is also a great option due to the long bus intervals. Our route was casual, planning to wander and stop. We took a bus to "Art House Project," where a fascinating installation resembling a plastic bubble is actually a bike parking lot. A few steps away, you can taste Naoshima gelato from a small window shop run by one person, offering fruit sherbet and classic flavors like milk and matcha.
Without many stops, we transferred at the station to visit the Chichu Art Museum. Initially, we didn't specifically look for the yellow pumpkin, but spotted it as a glowing dot in the distance during the bus ride, planning to visit on the way back. On the uphill journey, the driver pointed out a raccoon and cat eating together, which turned out to be a local tanuki. We rushed back to see this amusing pair, more fascinated by the journey than the art itself.
We enjoyed blending in with the locals and wandering around. As the sun set, we walked along the beach to our last stop of the day. The yellow pumpkin glowed against the sea, but the backlight made it hard to capture. Instead, we sat on the grass, waiting for the sunset.
Over half the visitors were Westerners, with bikini-clad women on the beach, people drinking beer in the sea, and a man swimming past the yellow pumpkin. Watching them, I realized I'm not that carefree, avoiding getting my shoes wet or swimming. Quoting "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," "Sometimes, I don't 📷, I just stay, in it."
Some moments can't be captured by a camera; it's better to enjoy them.
#Takamatsu #SetouchiTriennale #Naoshima #YayoiKusamaPumpkin
_MidnightEcho
Naoshima: Where Time Can Be Seen
ART SETOUCHI, the Setouchi Triennale, is held every three years with the aim of revitalization through art. Naoshima is the most densely packed island with museums and art installations, attracting art enthusiasts from around the world.
My itinerary focused on the Benesse Art Site, spending half a day leisurely walking around the island. Highlights include the Yellow Pumpkin, animal sculptures, and the sea lawn.
Visit the Hiroshi Sugimoto Time Corridors (online reservation required, souvenir shop available), Benesse House Museum (with restaurant and souvenir shop), Valley Gallery (ticket shared with Benesse House Museum), Lee Ufan Museum (outdoor installations), and Chichu Art Museum (online reservation required, with café and souvenir shop).
At Miyanoura Port, take the ferry from Takamatsu Port at 10:14 AM, with a round-trip ticket costing 990 yen per person. The island bus costs 100 yen per person to Tsutsujiso, and there is a free shuttle bus in the Benesse area. Return on the last ferry at 5:00 PM from Miyanoura Port to Takamatsu.
It is recommended to walk from the Chichu Art Museum to the port, taking about 30 minutes, to enjoy the beautiful sunset along the way.
#SetouchiTriennale #JapanTravel #TakamatsuIslandHopping #Naoshima #ChichuArtMuseum #TadaoAndo #HiroshiSugimoto #BenesseHouse #YayoiKusama #JapaneseArt
_AutumnLeaf
An Artistic Invitation from Seto Inland Sea: Naoshima Day 2
📍Naoshima
Day 2: Benesse House Museum - Yellow Pumpkin - Lee Ufan Museum
🏨 Stay in Takamatsu and take a ferry to Naoshima. Details on ferry and bike rental are in the previous post.
🚌 Island Transportation
Rent a bike to the Lee Ufan Museum bike parking, or ride to the Chichu Art Museum parking. From there, take the free shuttle bus to Benesse House. Detailed routes and schedules are on.
Our route:
park the bike at Lee Ufan Museum - shuttle bus to Benesse House Museum - shuttle bus to Yellow Pumpkin - shuttle bus back to Lee Ufan Museum - bike back to the port. 2)
Alternatively, take the 100 yen (cash only) town bus to the final stop at Tsutsujiso (Yellow Pumpkin location), and transfer to the Benesse House shuttle bus.
🏠Benesse House Museum
The building itself is designed by Tadao Ando, facing the Seto Inland Sea. Besides the three indoor floors, don't miss the outdoor section! Photography and video recording are prohibited for some exhibits indoors (⚠️note).
The cafe on the 2nd floor is highly recommended, offering views of the Seto Inland Sea while enjoying food. The cafe's drink cups are printed with Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin, very cute!
Opening hours: 8:00～21:00, open year-round.
Tickets: on-site purchase.
🎃 Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin Take the shuttle bus from Benesse House to Tsutsujiso, and you'll see a beach and the Yellow Pumpkin in the distance. There's also a small stone torii on the beach, very cute. Queue for the Yellow Pumpkin, and remember to check the bus schedule in advance.
Lee Ufan Museum The venue is also designed by Tadao Ando, a treat for fans. It has indoor and outdoor sections; photography and video recording are prohibited indoors (⚠️note), but there are no restrictions outdoors. The outdoor works are visually striking, with a surreal feel.
Opening hours: March 1 - September 30, 10:00~18:00 (last entry 17:30), October 1 - end of February, 10:00~17:00 (last entry 16:30).
Closed on Mondays (※ if Monday is a holiday, open that day and closed the next day).
#Naoshima #NaoshimaPumpkin #TravelPhotography #JapanTravel #SetoInlandSea #OffTheBeatenPath #TadaoAndo #SummerTravel #YayoiKusamaPumpkin #MustSeeExhibitions