4 reasons to visit Naoshima, Japan's island of art

Kate Morgan

Japan may have more contemporary art spaces than you can poke a paintbrush at, but none come quite as scenic as the small, tranquil island of Naoshima bobbing in the Inland Sea.

After decades existing as a sleepy fishing community, Naoshima awoke with a new purpose and became the humble, yet fitting, home to an impressive collection of contemporary art, architecture and exhibits thanks to a mutual agreement in 1985 between the Benesse Corporation and Chikatsugu Miyake, then mayor of Naoshima, to turn the area into an art hub.

It’s worth visiting for the art alone, but it’s also a great spot to rest your frazzled senses if you’ve been travelling in Japan’s frenetic cities. Here are four ways to discover Naoshima:

1. The art

2. The giant pumpkin

3. The 007 Red Tattoo Museum

The residents of Naoshima (roughly 3000 of them) were so chuffed to have their island feature in Raymond Benson’s Bond novel, The Man with the Red Tattoo, that in 2004 they started a nationwide petition to get the feature film made here. In the interim they have erected a museum dedicated to the novel, and 007 in general, in hopes this will present Naoshima as an ideal Bond location. And it really is. The museum is not a must-see unless you’re a die-hard Bond fan but if all that contemporary art has you feeling a little too cultured, it adds a nice kitsch element to round out your visit. Don’t forget to sign the petition!

4. The peace and quiet

Kate Morgan is Lonely Planet’s Trade & Reference Publishing Coordinator.

See more Lonely Planet articles on Japan here.

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