Basically three areas (see map below), Miyanoura Port area where you find the Information center, Honmura village area where Art House Project is located, and the South shore area where Chichu Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, and Benesse House Museum are located. A 30 min walk apart from each other (15 min bike). Or a public bus (about one in 30 min) can be used. However you like. See maps below.
Chichu Museum – Ando Tadao’s signature design, James Turrell, Water De Maria and huge Monet “Water lilies” collection + Chichu Garden – a replica of the garden Monet loved. Many visitors’ favorite. Open hours: 10 am – 6 pm (last enter at 5 pm), Closed on Mondays (except national holiday), 1 hour earlier closing time from Nov – Feb. Ticket: 2060 yen (free under 15)
The most popular museum on Naoshima now has an online reservation system.
Even without purchasing a reservation ticket, you can still walk-in as long as the online tickets for the time-slot hadn’t been sold out.
During the busy seasons (From the end of March, April, May, October, November), however, there may be hours/days that all tickets have been sold out and no walk-in tickets are available.
Please check the online reservation site and purchase a timed-ticket online if you really don’t want to miss visiting Chichu Museum. (You can purchase them on the very day right before your visit.)
Advanced reservations require following exhibits;
James Turrell’s “Open Sky” – Night program – reservation
Art House Project – James Turrell, Ando Tadao, Senju Hiroshi, Miyajima Tatsuo, Sugimoto Hiroshi, Ohtake Shinro, Suda Yoshihiro. Honmura port area’s 6 different house project, plus advanced reservation only Kinza reservation Open hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm, Closed on Mondays (except national holiday)
Ticket: 1030 yen (free for children 15 and under)
Some houses limit the number of people inside at a time. Quite often you have to wait in line for a while.
Benesse House Museum – Ando Tadao design, built in 1992, the first museum on the island, 350 art collections. Open hours: 8 am – 9 pm (last enter at 8 pm), Open 365.
Ticket: 1030 yen (free for children 15 and under)
Naoshima Bath (public bath): I ♥ 湯 (I love YU-hot water) at Miyanoura port Open hours: Tue – Fri 2 pm – 9 pm; Sat, Sun, holiday 10 am – 9 pm (last enter at 8:30 pm); Closed on Mondays (except national holiday)
Lee Ufan Museum – Designed by Tadao Ando. (located between Chichu and Benesse Museum, not on the map below) Open hours: 10 am – 6 pm (last enter at 5:30 pm), Closed on Mondays(except national holiday), 1 hour earlier closing time from Nov – Feb.
Ticket: 1000 yen (free for children 15 and under)
ANDO MUSEUM – New addition in 2013. All about Ando’s works and Naoshima’s history. Located near Honmura port. Open hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm, (Last admittance: 4:00 p.m.) Closed on Mondays
Ticket: 510 yen (free for children 15 and under)
Got a rough idea how long it may take for you? Start strategizing your day on Naoshima and then you’ll be a happy visitor, totally relaxed, just enjoying the art-experience, rather than always wondering where and when to go next!
Few tips:
There are passenger boats going directly to Honmura port – right by the Art House Project area, besides the main ferry to Miyanoura port. see Naoshima ferry timetable
Some “shoe-free” exhibits here and there. You can practice lacing your shoes, or just don’t wear them.
Occasionally some or all those museums and house projects are closed for maintenance at rather short notice. Please double check with the Benesse Art Site Naoshima official site’s opening days/hours.
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