As a modern art enthusiast, I thought this would be a highlight of my visit to Shikoku if not Japan. It was not. The architecture is nice, the art in the main museums just so-so. Possibly an example of when art becomes a destination it often becomes mediocre. The highlight of my visit was an excellent kai seki lunch in... More

Naoshima has a great rep, and well deserved. You can reach it by 20 minute ferry (around 500 yen return) from Uno, and hire a bicycle from the port station (500 yen for the day). There's a fun little James Bond 007 museum close to the port, and then if you bike on around the island (we went Chichu direction... More

Naoshima is growing in popularity as a unique touristic spot in Japan. It may be so for Japanese tourists, but international tourists may find it otherwise. All the attractions on the island are over-rated and over-priced. Let us say that art enriches our life. If this is the criterion to apply, then so-called art works on the island are very... More

Love the art all over the island. Love the anti-corporate shops, no Starbucks or McDonalds. Not to in love with the hills near Chi Chu. Hard to bike up. More

Seto Inland Sea separates Honshu, Japan's largest main island (where Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc. are located), and Shikoku, Japan's smallest main island. Seto Inland Sea is dotted with many lovely islands. In the past several years, major efforts have been launched to convert many of these islands into a wonderful "archipelago of arts". Three islands - Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujima... More

OUR LIMITATIONS: morning in Kyoto, and overnight at Benesse House in Naoshima; then an early morning departure for Osaka (where we continued on to Koyasan for the evening). FROM KYOTO TO NAOSHIMA: (1) took the 9:49a Hikari bullet train to Okayama (reserved seats) (2) took the local Seto-Ohashi train (no reservations available, but JR Pass accepted) to Chayamachi station (3)... More

We recently spent the day on Naoshima Island, to visit the artworks that we had heard so much about. The 20 minute ferry ride from Uno was pleasant and very reasonably priced at just 540 yen ($6.50 AUD) for a return trip. The Art House Project was one of the highlights and also the art museum at Benesse House was... More