Contemporary art and architecture acquiesce to the sloping Naoshima coast, creating a setting that both soothes and enthrals at Benesse Art Site Naoshima.
EXPERIENCE
There are few stranger places to find the works of Warhol and Pollock than Naoshima, a tiny island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea that, until the '90s, was known for the fishing boats that crowded its ports. Today, it's home to Benesse Art Site Naoshima, a collection of museums and hotels.
There is no fuss to renowned architect Tadao Ando's tempered - if slightly otherworldly - response to Naoshima's challenging topography. Brutalist structures huddle atop densely treed hills overlooking the beach, making it possible to imagine you're staying at the secret layer of the world's foremost art collector/super villain. Luckily, he's got all the amenities.
The Benesse House Museum exhibits the work of American and Japanese masters. The Park, Beach, and Oval hotels - listed in order of exclusivity - offer a combined total of 55 guest rooms, which take their cue from Ando's minimalist design. Two restaurants feature catches from the sea, while a spa offers a complete treatment menu.
LOCATION
Naoshima is in Kagawa, Japan, about an hour-and-a-half south of Okayama Airport. A scenic 20-minute ferry ride brings you to one of two ports on the island: Miyanoura or Honmura. A 10-minute bus ride to the Benesse Art Site through lush Naoshima follows.
TO LIST
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