This tops it all! We got up at 6:30 took a taxi to the train station. Took a bullet train and then transferred twice on other trains to arrive at our destination off the main island of Japan where a private ferry was waiting to take us to Naoshima Island. The entire island has been converted to an art site.
We were taken to by bus to the ChiChu Art Museum. It was designed by Tadao Ando and it is an amazing building. It is made from concrete and has vistas everywhere. The architect has built the building around 3 artists (Claude Monet and his water lilies entirely lit in an underground display – entirely lit from above with natural lighting), a Walter De Maria large sculpture and three James Turrell exhibits of the use of light. The art is combined with the natural beauty of the island and the views from the building. It is spectacular.
We then went to the old fishing village of the island. The village has been turned into an art project. Homes are still lived in by the residents and are decorated and there are some special projects to visit. We then went to the top of a hill where there was an ancient Shinto Shrine which has been re-imagined by Hiroshi Sugimoto.
We then went to our hotel: Benesse House. This has to be a once in a life time place. The building is an art museum with major works by modern artists. In the building are the rooms we are staying in. The building was also designed by Tadao Ando with incredible vistas from every vantage point. From our bath or bed room or deck with have vistas of the islands and the Inland Sea of Japan.
We are living among the art works. It is like having a private museum to ourselves. Incredible works of art, and no one but us walking around with champagne glasses observing the art and the vistas. Truly amazing!
If you love art, architecture, and few crowds, gorgeous settings and want travel half-way around the world this island of Naoshima and staying at the Benesse is the place!
We had a 10 course Japanese dinner at the museum and prepared for bed. Tomorrow we go to the very hot humid Southern most tip of Japan for another island adventure. We will leave the island at 8am, take the ferry, 3 trains, then arrive fly on two separate airplane rides, arriving at our destination about 5pm. A full day of traveling to get there. We have no idea if there will be internet access so there might be a gaps in this adventure. Who knows?
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