Things to do in Naoshima

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Kagawa Prefecture

Mt. Yashima

Mt. Yashima is located in the northern part of Kagawa Prefecture, east of Takamatsu City, and extends into the Seto Inland Sea. It is a lava plateau with an elevation of 293m that belongs to Setonaikai National Park. The top is flat and resembles a roof, hence the name "Mt. Yashima." If you walk along the mountain trail, you will find three major observatories: Dangorei, Shishi-no-Reigan, and Yu-kurei. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views. In addition to Setonaikai National Park and the Seto Inland Sea, you can also see the entire site of the ancient battlefield of the Genpei War. Furthermore, you can visit the 84th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Mt. Yashima, and the elevated New Yashima Aquarium. Yashima-ji Temple is a temple of the Shingon sect Omuro school on Mt. Yashima, and it is the 84th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage located on Mt. Yashima. Passing through the temple gate, you can see the beautiful main hall painted in vermilion. Standing before you is Minoyama Daimyozin. Inside the grounds, there is the Snow Garden, built with white tuff instead of snow, and the Treasure Museum, which displays various artifacts from the Genpei War. The main hall was built during the Kamakura period (around the 13th century) and is a designated National Important Cultural Property.

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Kagawa Prefecture

Ritsurin Garden

Ritsurin Garden is located in Takamatsu City and covers an area of approximately 75 ha. It is said that construction of the garden began in 1642 and took 100 years to complete. The garden features 6 ponds and 13 artificial hills. It echoes the scenery of Mount Shiun behind the park, resembling a beautiful Japanese painting. The technique of incorporating distant scenery into the garden's design is known as borrowed scenery. The South Garden is a purely Japanese-style garden, and the small teahouse by the pond, Kikugetsutei, is well-known as a great place to enjoy the full moon in the fall. The North Garden has undergone extensive renovations and is now a Western-style garden.

Chichu Art Museum

The museum was established in 2004 as a place to contemplate nature and humanity. Located on the south side of Naoshima, the museum was designed by Tadao Ando and has a permanent exhibition of works by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria. The museum was built by artists and architects who inspired each other, and the entire building can be considered a gigantic site-specific art piece.

Benesse House Museum

It is a facility that combines the functions of an art gallery and a hotel. Opened in 1992, it was designed by architect Tadao Ando with the concept of "Nature, Architecture. Art." Works are not limited to the exhibition area, but are displayed all over the museum, and even installed in the coastline and woods around the facility.

Teshima

Toshima is a small island famous for its art and natural beauty. It attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique art projects and environmental protection concepts. Toshima has a beautiful natural environment with lush hills and clear coastlines. The residents of the island have long made a living from agriculture and fishing, forming a unique rural landscape. In recent years, Toshima has successfully transformed into a vibrant art island through the introduction of art and cultural projects. There are many art installations and exhibition halls on the island, among which the famous Toshima Art Museum blends in with the surrounding natural environment with its unique architectural form. The art works in the museum are themed on natural elements, encouraging visitors to meditate and feel in a quiet environment. In addition to art projects, Toshima is also famous for its environmental protection and sustainable development concepts. The island has implemented a number of environmental protection measures, including waste disposal and resource recycling, to protect its natural environment. The residents and tourists of Toshima jointly participate in these environmental protection activities, reflecting the concept of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Visitors can easily reach Toshima by ferry, and the island provides bicycle rental services to facilitate tourists to explore various attractions. Cycling is a good way to experience the natural beauty of Toshima, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the countryside and coastline along the way. In addition, there are many cafes and restaurants on the island, serving local specialties, allowing visitors to experience the unique local culture while enjoying art and nature.

Toy Kingdom

Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama

Teshima Art Museum

This is a relatively modern art museum. The main works are the Teshima Art Museum of Ryue Nishizawa. It is a unique creative and experiential space, which makes people quiet and produces infinite reverie.

No. 1 of Hot Springs Attractions in Okayama Prefecture

Setouchi Onsen Tamanoyu

Setouchi Onsen Tamanoyu, located in Tamano, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, is a hot spring destination that blends natural ocean views with traditional Japanese bathhouse style. It not only consistently ranks among the top hot spring attractions in Okayama Prefecture, but its serene, mature, traditional folk house atmosphere makes it an ideal place for countless travelers to escape the hustle and bustle and heal their body and mind. The highlight of this hot spring facility is undoubtedly its open-air bath, where beyond the walls lies the vast, boundless ocean. Visitors can soak in the warm spring water while gazing at the islands scattered across the sea, letting the gentle sea breeze brush against their cheeks. In addition, the facility is thoughtfully equipped with special features such as a salt sauna, rock bath, and enzyme bath to meet various relaxation needs. Beyond the bathing experience, the facility is also dedicated to leisure and dining, offering authentic kaiseki cuisine and set meals, providing visitors with a wide range of choices.

Takamatsu Port

Takamatsu Port is a key maritime gateway in the Shikoku region, known for being the home port of the Setouchi Triennale. The port connects to several art islands, such as Naoshima, Teshima, and Shōdo Island, with high-speed ferries operating round-trip between these islands daily. The port area features three striking permanent art installations: Shinji Ohmaki's "Liminal Air," Lin Shuen-Long's "Ship of Seeds," and the glass curtain wall of the passenger terminal designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. These works are particularly eye-catching on sunny days. The ferry terminal hall is equipped with luggage storage and an art festival information center, where visitors can obtain island maps in Chinese and English. The ruins of the castle keep at Takamatsu Castle Park are within walking distance, and it is recommended to photograph the panoramic view of the port in the early morning or when ferries are docking. The breakwater on the west side of the port area is an ideal spot for an evening stroll, and during low tide, you can see the remains of Showa-era bollards.