This time, we would like to introduce you to the hotel "Benesse House" located in "Naoshima", a mecca for art in Kagawa prefecture.

When I visit Naoshima, I would like to stay there someday! and I finally had the opportunity to go there on a private visit. In this article, I would like to introduce the charm of Benesse House.

What kind of place is Naoshima?

Naoshima is one of a group of islands scattered between Kagawa and Okayama prefectures. On the island, visitors can view the pumpkin art of Yayoi Kusama and other works by renowned contemporary artists.

In addition, there are three museums designed by world-famous architect Tadao Ando.

The island is so small that you can easily go around it on a bicycle in half a day, so if you like art and architecture, you should visit it at least once.

What is Benesse House?

In the midst of Naoshima is Benesse House, a contemporary art museum with a hotel. Of course, Benesse House is also designed by Tadao Ando.

It is also known as the most well-known Japanese resort facility overseas.

Benesse House has four lodging buildings: Museum, Beach, Park, and Oval. Each building has its own personality, and the fact that the scenery you see and the art works that are displayed are different is also a big attraction.

In addition, guests can appreciate the Benesse Museum until 23:00 at night.

How to get to Naoshima?

Naoshima can be accessed by a ferry that departs from Uno Port in Okayama Prefecture and a ferry that departs from Takamatsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture.

This time I went to Takamatsu by car, so I took a ferry from Takamatsu. It takes about 1 hour to get to Naoshima.

It is a perfect day for a boat trip, and the weather is perfect. Since we have about an hour, we buy some con soup from a vending machine and twilight while watching the sea.

Even if I cannot go abroad due to the COVID-19, I feel that there are many good places in Japan these days. After drinking, eating, and taking pictures, we arrived at Naoshima in no time.

When I got off the ferry, I was greeted by a Yayoi Kusama pumpkin. Seeing the pumpkins made me realize that I had come to Naoshima! I felt that I had come to Naoshima.

The yellow pumpkin was blown away by the typhoon, so I couldn't meet it this time.

After getting off the ferry and boarding a private bus, you will finally arrive at Benesse House! As soon as you enter Benesse Museum, you will find the front desk of the accommodation building directly in front of you.

This time, we are staying in the "Museum" building, which is one of the four buildings. Since it was my first time at Benesse House, I wanted to experience staying at a museum, so I chose this building.

The view from the hotel is also spectacular.
You will be healed by the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea.

When you enter the Museum building, you are already at the beginning of the museum.

Artworks are displayed everywhere in the building, and your heart beats faster.

This is what the room looks like.
The sea spreads out all around from the window. There are four types of rooms in the museum building, and I chose a deluxe twin room. Each room has a different artwork, so it is recommended to check the official website in advance and choose the room with the artwork you are interested in. There are no televisions in the rooms because we want you to have an elegant time.

You can also have a welcome drink from 16:30. Watching the sun go down from dusk is a very luxurious time.

Appreciate art at the Benesse Museum!

In the museum building, guests are privileged to view art from 8:00 in the morning until 23:00 at night. It is also nice to be able to view works of art you are interested in as many times as you like.

The Benesse House Museum is based on the concept of "a symbiosis of nature, architecture, and art", so both artwork and architecture are highlights.

The exhibition focuses on contemporary art.

Among them, I was fascinated by the works of contemporary artist Bruce Naumann, who was born in Indiana, USA.

The work, titled "100 Live and Die," is, as the title suggests, "**AND LIVE," "**AND DIE," a meaningful message that relates life and death on a large electric panel. It repeats over time, flashing and disappearing one after another with brightly colored neon signs.

It was one of the works that I wanted to see for a long time.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other works there are after visiting!

Dinner surrounded by artwork

We had dinner at the museum restaurant “Japanese Cuisine Issen”. You can enjoy the Seto Inland Sea and contemporary art from any seat, and enjoy a delicious meal in an extraordinary space. All of the kaiseki dishes using fresh ingredients from the Seto Inland Sea were delicious.

After dinner, take the shuttle bus to the park lounge in the park building.

Here, you can have coffee, tea, and alcohol (for a fee). Art books are also available, so you can relax.

I was reading a book and it was a good time, so day 1 ends here.

Next time, I will tell you the second half of Benesse House and how to enjoy Naoshima.

Please look forward to!