For years, Naoshima has been a top destination for art lovers, drawing people from across Japan and beyond to its quiet corner of the Seto Inland Sea. The island's blend of contemporary art, modern architecture, and peaceful scenery has made it something of a cultural retreat, and with the opening of the Naoshima New Museum of Art on May 31st, 2025, the connection to the art world is growing even stronger.
The museum is the tenth building on the island designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando for Benesse Art Site Naoshima, and the first to include "Naoshima" in its name. Its black plaster walls and pebble accents draw inspiration from traditional houses in the area, and the long, low roof is designed to blend in with the area's natural surroundings.
The museum's first exhibition, From the Origin to the Future, brings together twelve artists and collectives from around Asia. Their work reflects a wide range of perspectives and includes everything from large installations and videos to murals and mixed-media pieces. Many of the works touch on themes like memory, migration, cultural identity, and how people adapt through change.
What makes the exhibition especially interesting is how closely it ties into the island itself, with several of the artists taking inspiration directly from Naoshima's landscape and community. For instance, Shitamichi Motoyuki and Jeffrey Lim created a camera from driftwood they found on local beaches and used it to photograph people living on the island, capturing simple, everyday moments.
Admission to the museum is priced at 1700 JPY at the venue, and 1500 JPY when purchased online in advance. Those aged under 15 years receive free admission.
