Naoshima Island

Naoshima, known as the ‘Art Island,’ hosts the globally renowned ‘Setouchi Triennale’ since 2010, but its purpose is not merely an art festival for artists. Instead, it aspires to be an art festival designed to see the smiles of the island’s people, striving to restore the beauty and vitality of the Seto Inland Sea islands which was lost during the rapid modernization that occurred in Japan approximately 50-60 years ago.
Today, it stands as a unique and unparalleled Art Island in the world, celebrated for its fusion of nature, art, and architecture, attracting art lovers worldwide.

©YAYOI KUSAMA
“Red Pumpkin” ©Yayoi Kusama,2006 Naoshima Miyanoura Port Square
Photo/Daisuke Aochi

No unauthorized reproduction.

Chichu Art Museum

Established in 2004 as a place for “rethinking the relationship between nature and people,” the majority of the building is buried underground to avoid disrupting the natural beauty of Seto Inland Sea landscape. Inside, you will find permanent installations of works by renowned artists like Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria, all set within the architectural masterpiece designed by Tadao Ando.
Despite being underground, the museum is bathed in natural light, transforming it into a ‘site-specific’ art gallery that evolves with the passage of time and the changing seasons. Art lovers from around the world visit to experience this captivating fusion of art and nature.

Shodoshima Island

Shodoshima, blessed with a mild climate, has cultivated a rich culinary heritage including soy sauce, handcrafted soba noodles, olives, and simmered dishes. On the other hand, the island is adorned with mountainous sacred sites, offering breathtaking landscapes sculpted by rugged mountains and the ever-changing beauty of the four seasons. Shodoshima, with its rich culinary traditions and captivating natural beauty, is an island that beckons one to return time and again, a place of profound and unforgettable experiences.

Umioto Mari

Perched on the tranquil and beautiful Seto Inland Sea, ‘Umioto Mari’ offers a breathtaking view from all six rooms, allowing guests to witness the ever-changing expressions of the Seto Inland Sea.
The attention-to-detail ‘Olive Kaiseki’ experience features a selection of approximately 50 varieties of extra virgin olive oil gathered from around 20 local olive farmers on the island. Indulge in a luxurious feast that showcases the diverse and high-quality world of olive oils. Fresh local seafood from the Seto Inland Sea and just-harvested vegetables are expertly paired with the unique flavors of the oils, creating an exclusive and unforgettable culinary fusion that can only be savored here.

Kankakei Gorge

Awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Shikoku, the breathtaking “Kankakei Gorge.” Here, you can take an aerial stroll aboard the ropeway, the only place in Japan where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the sky, sea, and valley simultaneously. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the beauty of nature by embarking on a roughly one-hour hike along the “Front 12 Views” and “Back 8 Views” trails, which unveil 20 particularly magnificent vistas amidst the numerous enchanting valleys. Beyond the awe-inspiring beauty of the entire mountain ablaze in vibrant autumn colors, you can also relish the seasonal splendors of Kankakei Gorge, from the fresh greens of spring and summer to the serene winter wonderland covered in snow.

Shodoshima Pilgrimage No. 42—Ryusui Temple at Nishi-no-Taki

The oldest mountain sanctuary on Shodoshima boasts a history of over 800 years. Its most captivating feature, without a doubt, is the breathtaking scenery that has earned it a place among the ‘100 Scenic Views of Sanuki.’ Perched on cliffs eroded by conglomerate rocks on a 427-meter mountain, the view of the Seto Inland Sea from the Goma Hall’s corridor, clinging to the precipice, is a masterpiece. As you climb the stone steps in front of the gate and gaze back from the mountain gate, you’ll experience a panoramic view that makes you feel like you’re floating in the sky, a vista found nowhere else. Why not visit this ‘Sanctuary in the Sky’?

Ritsurin Garden

Ritsurin Garden, designated as a national special place of scenic beauty, is a masterpiece of traditional Japanese garden. With Mt. Shiun as a backdrop, the garden showcases a harmonious arrangement of six ponds, thirteen miniature hills, and 1,400 pine trees, creating a kaleidoscope of beauty that changes with each step. Enjoy the ever-shifting landscape as you leisurely stroll through the garden.