After four trains and a ferry ride, we arrived on the island of Naoshima on new years day. Naoshima is a small island just off the southern coast of Honchu and is small enough to walk across in 30-40 minutes. It's worth noting that the four trains we caught that day, along with every other train we've caught here, were not a minute late. Even Paul, with his innate German punctuality, is impressed.
Naoshima has grown in popularity as a tourist attraction in recent years thanks to its impressive collection of art exhibits and public art. The original idea was to create a special environment where children could gather and experience landscapes and learn about the environment but it has developed into that and more.
(Honmura Harbour at Naoshima)
(A squid explores the waters at Honmura Harbour)
In addition to a large mountain top gallery with magnificent sea views dedicated to an art collection that includes the likes of Andy Warhol and David Hockney, there was also a clever initiative put in place, the Art House Project, where local and international artists were invited to choose a derelict site on the island and create a piece of art for their chosen space. It has resulted in run down, centuries old buildings being given a new lease of life, along with providing additional jobs for locals who works as stewards at the sites.
(An old Edo Period shrine that has been redesigned as part of the Art House Project)
(A house which once belonged to a dentist, now covered in salvaged ship materials and
contains a floor to ceiling replica of the Statue of Liberty inside)
(Street art)
(Street art)
(Peaking over garden gates)
(A sweet welcome at a guesthouse)
(A scuplture on the coastal walk. The artist manages her mental health through art,
recreating images she sees when hallucinating.)
We had such a good day exploring all the sites and the indoor and outdoor galleries, taking the coastal route and walking along small beaches. Some of the artworks were really thought provoking and the quiet island setting was a lovely spot to mull over those pieces that left an impression on us.
We left Naoshima this morning for our final stop over in Fukuoka before flying to Bali. Naoshima was a beautiful setting to wrap up our time in Japan.
(A final pumpkin photoshoot before hopping on the ferry)
(Arriving back into the port of Uno on Honshu)
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