The Art Islands

JAPAN | THE ART ISLANDS

The Seto Inland Sea is one of Japan’s best-kept secret and we can certainly see the appeal of its surrounding islands. The calm sea, soft light and silhouette of the Shikoku Mountains, makes for an amazing setting to visit The Art Islands.

Our journey brings you to the World Class Modern Art Museums, as well as Art House Projects, on the 3 main islands of Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima, before heading to the “Olive Island” of Shodoshima, an island of amazing culinary discovery. Many travellors to these islands tend to rush through them, however we do prefer a slower pace to fully discover the best of these islands special experiences.

While staying in Naoshima and Teshima, we navigate the islands by ferry as we visit its many art museum and art installations, while enjoying each of the islands own culinary specialty.

We then move to Shodoshima, the largest of the islands. Shodoshima’s produce is some of the best in the country. For its famed Somen Noodles and Shoyu production, to its rare Olive Beef and Olive Farms, coupled with amazing seafood, it’s an amazing culinary journey.

This journey is easily combined with Shikoku or Kii Peninsula.

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

Benesse House Museum opened in 1992 as a facility integrating a museum with a hotel, based on the concept of "coexistence of nature, art and architecture." Designed by Tadao Ando, the facility is built on high ground overlooking the Seto Inland Sea and features large apertures that serve to open up the interior to the splendid natural surroundings.

A museum resulting from the collaboration between internationally acclaimed artist Lee Ufan, presently based mainly in Europe, and architect Tadao Ando. Chichu Art Museum was constructed in 2004 as a site rethinking the relationship between nature and people. The museum was built mostly underground to avoid affecting the beautiful natural scenery of the Seto Inland sea. Artworks by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria are on permanent display in this building designed by Tadao Ando.

The Art House Project is an art project where artists take empty houses in honmura and turn the spaces themselves into works of art, weaving in history and memories of the period when the buildings were lived in and used. Going from one of the houses to another, visitors pass through the Honmura district, where everyday life unfolds around them, in the process not only engaging with works of art, but also sensing the layers of time and history interwoven in the community and the fabric of local people's lives.

Uniting the creative visions of artist Rei Naito and architect Ryue Nishizawa, Teshima Art Museum stands on a hill on the island of Teshima overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. The museum, which resembles a water droplet at the moment of landing, is located in the corner of a rice terrace that was restored in collaboration with local residents.

"Les Archives du Cœur", by Christian Boltanski, permanently houses recordings of the heartbeats of people throughout the world. Christian Boltanski has been recording these heartbeats since 2008.Les Archives du Cœur is a testament to the recordees' existence. The recordings may be listened to by visitors. It is also possible to record your own heart beat here.

Inujima Art House Project was launched with the objective of inspiring the local community of Inujima, allowing them to experience the beautiful landscapes of everyday life and the familiar natural environments that extend beyond the artworks.

The largest island in the area, Shodoshima's produce is some of the best in the country. For its famed Somen Noodles and Shoyu production, to its rare Olive Beef and Olive Farms, coupled with amazing seafood, its an amazing culinary journey,.

ACCOMMODATION

These are a selection of lodges that we feel combine well for this journey. However we do also have a range of options to consider in each region, and can tailor them to you preference.