Art House Project Naoshima: Walking Tour of Village Art Installations

What Is the Art House Project?

The Art House Project (家プロジェクト, Ie Project) is a collection of seven former homes and structures in Honmura village on Naoshima island, each transformed into a permanent contemporary art installation. Started in 1998 with Kadoya, the project is one of the earliest and most compelling examples of art being used to revitalize a declining rural community in Japan.

Unlike a conventional museum where art hangs on white walls, these installations exist inside — and often inseparable from — the architecture of old village houses. You walk through narrow residential lanes, step into what looks like an ordinary wooden home, and find yourself in a space completely reimagined by artists like Tatsuo Miyajima, James Turrell, and Hiroshi Sugimoto. The Art House Project is one of several Kagawa's island art destinations spread across Naoshima and the surrounding Seto Inland Sea islands.

The Seven Houses: What to See at Each Site

Kadoya: Where It All Started

Kadoya (角屋) was the first Art House Project site, opening in 1998. The roughly 200-year-old house contains Tatsuo Miyajima's installation "Sea of Time '98," a dark pool filled with LED digital counters that flicker at different speeds. Local residents set each counter's pace, making the work a collaboration between artist and community.

Kadoya is one of the larger installations and a good introduction to the project's concept — traditional domestic space completely reframed by contemporary art. The exterior looks like any other village house, which is precisely the point.

Go'o Shrine and Minamidera: Light and Darkness

Go'o Shrine (護王神社) is a working Shinto shrine redesigned by Hiroshi Sugimoto. A glass staircase descends from the shrine building into an underground stone chamber, connecting the sacred above with darkness below. The effect is striking — natural light travels through the glass steps into the earth. This is the only Art House Project site that is also an active place of worship.

Minamidera (南寺) sits at the opposite end of the sensory spectrum. Designed by Tadao Ando and housing James Turrell's "Backside of the Moon," the building is entered in complete darkness. You wait, and after several minutes your eyes adjust to reveal a faint rectangle of light. The experience lasts about 15 minutes and is guided — staff lead small groups in at set intervals. Arrive early, as the Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima also features Turrell's work, but this piece is uniquely immersive.

Ishibashi, Gokaisho, Haisha, and Kinza

Ishibashi (石橋) is a former salt merchant's house containing two paintings by Hiroshi Senju — large-scale waterfall works that blend with the traditional architecture. The garden and pond outside are part of the experience.

Gokaisho (碁会所) was once a gathering place for go (the board game) players. Artist Yoshihiro Suda placed delicate carved wooden camellias throughout the space — so realistic that many visitors walk past them without noticing they are sculptures.

Haisha (はいしゃ, literally "dentist") is a former dental clinic transformed by Shinro Ohtake into a wild collage of found objects, neon signs, and layered materials. It is the most visually chaotic of the seven and divides opinions — some visitors love the maximalism, others find it overwhelming.

Kinza (きんざ) is the most intimate site, created by Rei Naito. The tiny space uses natural light and minimal elements to create a contemplative atmosphere. Unlike the other six houses, Kinza requires a separate advance reservation and limits visits to 15-minute slots for one person at a time.

Tickets, Hours & the Kinza Reservation

A combined ticket for the Art House Project covers six of the seven sites. According to Benesse Art Site Naoshima, the current pricing is:

Ticket	Price
Adults	¥1,050 (~$7)
Students (15-18)	¥520 (~$3.50)
Children (6-14)	¥260 (~$1.75)

You can buy the combined ticket at any of the six participating houses. Many visitors start at Haisha near Honmura Port and purchase their ticket there.

Hours: 9:30-16:30 (last entry 16:00). Minamidera opens at 10:00.

Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday).

Kinza reservation: Kinza is not included in the combined ticket and requires a separate advance booking. Slots are limited to one visitor at a time for approximately 15 minutes. Book as far ahead as possible, especially during peak travel months (March-May and October-November). Prices shown are from recent years — check the official Benesse Art Site for current rates.

Walking the Honmura Route: Suggested Order

All seven sites are within walking distance of each other in Honmura village. A comfortable pace through all seven takes 3-4 hours, including time inside each installation.

A practical route starting from Honmura Port:

1. Haisha — closest to the port, easy to find
2. Kadoya — a few minutes walk into the village
3. Minamidera — allow extra time for the guided darkness experience
4. Gokaisho — near Minamidera
5. Go'o Shrine — the glass staircase works best in natural light
6. Ishibashi — toward the eastern edge of the village
7. Kinza — if you have a reservation

The village lanes are narrow, with some steps and gentle slopes. Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip. Bicycles are not practical in the Honmura residential area — park them at the lot near Gokaisho if you cycled from Miyanoura.

Starting at 9:30 when sites open, you can finish by early afternoon and have time for lunch in Honmura or head to the Benesse Art Site complex guide area on the southern coast.

Getting to Honmura Village

From Miyanoura Port by Bus or on Foot

Most visitors arrive at Naoshima via Miyanoura Port. From there, take the town bus toward Honmura — get off at "Nōkyō-mae" (農協前), which is about a 5-minute ride. From the bus stop, the first Art House sites are a short walk away.

If you prefer walking, Miyanoura Port to Honmura village takes roughly 30 minutes on foot along the coast road.

From Benesse House Area

If you are staying at Benesse House or visiting the southern museums, the Benesse Art Site shuttle bus runs between the museum area and Honmura. Check the schedule at your hotel reception or the Benesse Art Site website, as times vary by season.

Getting to Naoshima: From Okayama Station, take the JR Uno Line to Uno Port (about 60 minutes), then the ferry to Naoshima's Miyanoura Port (about 20 minutes). Ferries also run from Takamatsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture (about 50-60 minutes).

Tips for a Respectful Visit

Honmura is not a theme park — it is a living village where residents go about their daily lives. The art installations sit among private homes, and respectful behavior makes a real difference.

• Keep your voice down in the lanes between sites. The narrow streets amplify sound.
• Remove shoes when entering most installations. Staff will indicate where, and shoe bags are sometimes provided.
• Follow photography rules at each site. Most prohibit flash photography, and some ban all photography inside the installation. Signs are posted at each entrance.
• Do not enter private homes or gardens that are not part of the project. The Art House sites are clearly marked.
• Bring cash. There are no card readers or ATMs in Honmura village. The combined ticket and any drinks or snacks require cash.

Visiting the Art House Project alongside other Naoshima destinations like Teshima Art Museum on neighboring Teshima makes for a rich multi-day art island itinerary.