[2024 Naoshima Attraction] Travel Guide for Chichu Art Museum (Updated Oct)
Buildings by Famous Architects
Art Museums
Address:
3449-1, Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan
Opening times:
Opens at 10:00-18:00Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-3 hours
Phone:
+81 87-892-3755
An Artistic Journey on Naoshima, a Small Island in Shikoku, Japan
Hong Kong residents travel to Japan three to four times a year. My last visit was over a decade ago—to Kyoto and Nara. I avoid Tokyo because the hustle and bustle of places like Shibuya and Ginza remind me of the stress from work trips. This time, I made my first visit to Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku. On a weekday afternoon in the main street of Takamatsu, the sparse pedestrian traffic and quiet storefronts felt like a European weekend morning. It was a different world—calm but not idle. Among the tranquility, Naoshima stood out as the most memorable.
I took two trips from Takamatsu Port to the outlying islands, one to Naoshima and one to Shodoshima. The trip to Naoshima was primarily to see the Chichu Art Museum, designed by architect Tadao Ando (1941-), hidden in the basement. I had booked the visit months in advance online. Ando's fair-faced concrete architecture, using straight lines and triangles, exposed steel frames, and large glass panels, exudes a minimalist Zen aesthetic but with meticulous craftsmanship. He often uses skylights for natural lighting, creating a low-key yet beautiful and practical design. Ando, a self-taught architect, has works across Japan and internationally, not confined to any traditional Japanese style. Besides the Chichu Art Museum, his works include the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum in Matsuyama, commemorating historian Ryotaro Shiba (1923-1996) and haiku poet Shiki Masaoka (1867-1902). Many have imitated his ideas, such as the Clement Hotel in Takamatsu, though the difference in quality is evident. Hong Kong lacks Ando's works, but the design of the columbarium in Diamond Hill somewhat resembles his style.
Yayoi Kusama (1929-), who had an exhibition at Hong Kong's M+ in 2023, has her works featured in the Setouchi Triennale. On Naoshima, an hour's ferry ride away, her outdoor installations are ubiquitous. Her large 'Pumpkin' sculptures, taller than people, are placed by the sea without any barriers. Her signature polka dots are so pervasive that they even cover bus bodies, pier glass doors, ferry hulls, and restroom screens on the deck! Naoshima Town has gone to great lengths to promote tourism and leave a lasting impression.
The relaxed pace of the trip was rich and exciting. Spending a day on this small island felt like being in a paradise.
Ziggy Tao
A Polka Dot Art Journey on Naoshima, Kagawa
Seven years ago, when HK Express first launched its Takamatsu route, I visited Naoshima. At that time, I wasn't particularly interested in art, so I just took a photo with the pumpkin and didn't fully appreciate the island's artistic atmosphere. Yayoi Kusama's outdoor works are, of course, very famous and a favorite of my child. But now, upon closer inspection, I realize that there are many other notable creations on the island. This time, driven by my child's interest, I explored Kagawa Prefecture's attractions from a different perspective.
For instance, the Chichu Art Museum, designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Tadao Ando, has a very unique exterior that blends into Naoshima's natural landscape. I believe it will offer my child a new experience. However, remember that photography is not allowed inside the Chichu Art Museum, so be a respectful visitor. The diverse artworks, spacious architecture, and the mountain and sea scenery, which are completely different from the city, are new experiences that are hard to come by in Hong Kong.
As the saying goes, 'Traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books.' The artistic atmosphere of Naoshima will surely be loved by children. If you have kids, I highly recommend taking them on a trip to Naoshima for an unforgettable art journey!
Ziggy Tao
The Chichu Art Museum, Naoshima.
The Chichu Art Museum was established in 2004 as a place to contemplate the relationship between nature and humans. To preserve the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea, most of the building is buried underground. Inside, works by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria are permanently installed in a building designed by Tadao Ando. Despite being underground, natural light pours in, and the appearance of the artworks and spaces changes throughout the day and across the seasons. This museum, created through the collaboration of artists and architects, can be considered a massive site-specific work.
Opening Hours:
March 1 - September 30
10:00 - 18:00 (Last admission at 17:00)
October 1 - End of February
10:00 - 17:00 (Last admission at 16:00)
Closed:
Mondays
* However, if Monday is a holiday, the museum will be open and closed the following day.
Admission Fee:
2,100 yen - 3,000 yen
* Free for children 15 and under
Reservations:
The sales site varies depending on the date of your visit.
For more details, please check here.
TzT_offical.jp
Chichu Art Museum
Address: 3449-1, Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan.
Getting there: The museum is about a two kilometer walk from the Miyanoura ferry terminal.
Highlights: The Chichu Art Museum is a unique contemporary art museum built into a hillside overlooking the southern coast of Naoshima. The museum has been built around a rather small collection of art. The first gallery displays large murals from Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" series. The Chichu Museum also houses the famous "Time/Timeless/No Time" installation by Walter De Maria.
Remember to take note, admission to the Chichu Art Museum requires advance reservations for a specific date and time slot and can be made online in English.
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily, closed on Monday
Admission fee: 2100yen
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