Pat's Blog

What a total bonehead I must have been to have missed this gem of a place for 20 years? It’s true, it had been there the whole time and I hadn’t visited until just three years ago. Now I go at least once a year.

Naoshima (Nao Island) is an hour away by passenger/vehicular ferry from Takamatsu and the ferries run regularly until around 5:00 p.m. (times subject to seasonal changes). The ticket office is very easy to find from the Central Takamatsu Station. Takamatsu unlike many other Japanese cities is very easy to orientate and get around. All one needs to do is look across from the front of the station to the tall white Clement Hotel, which is very close and easily visible. Go past the hotel to the right, (or stroll up and along the first floor, through the hotel and onto the outside rain concourse to the dock area) then veer diagonally to the left and cross the road and you’ll see two orange brick buildings and the sign Shikoku Kinsen ‘Naoshima Ferry’ is there in English. It is quite literally 3/5 minutes on foot from the front of the Takamatsu Station and if still in doubt, drop in to the Tourist Information Office on the left just outside the station near the bus stops.

















Sorry to gush, but this is simply a “must” visit for anyone but especially art lovers. Once at the Naoshima port and the very new Marine Station. The Naoshima Tourist Information Center at the same Miyanoura Port will provide free maps in a variety of languages and also have information on the 200 yen buses that circle the small island every 15 minutes or so, and which drop visitors of at the galleries. Tel: 087 892 2299 email

Be still, my beating heart, because what fabulous, truly world-class galleries they are! This is major-league architecture, major-league art, so very big surprises are in store I assure you … The Chichu Art Museum is a rule-breaker and game-changing piece of architecture by the world-renowned architect, Tadao Ando. Once inside, the art is just... well? spectacular! The Monet room all in white and with natural lighting is an experience I shall never ever forget. Just never. See for yourself, as it’s just breathtaking.

Volunteer guides are available by booking; Naoshima Tourist Guides Association Tel: (087) 892 2299. The buses will take you to the other major galleries, Bennese House again designed by Ando and they’ve got some big time artists works there. Basquait, Hockney and art of that caliber, so please, I beg you, do NOT muss this gem as I did for so long. The Benesse House on the Beach Buildings offers truly world-class accommodation.

There’s plenty of other accommodation on the island and a cheaper suggestion is, Rest House “Tsutsuji-so” Tel: 087 892 2838. And for the adventurous there are even Mongolian yurts for rent. The Tourist Information Center has the contacts for those.

One caution, the restaurants are few so take a lunch on a day trip but please DO visit this place as it really is a gem and to miss it could be a life-long regret.