Benesse House Naoshima

The art continues outside the building, with pieces set along the nearby forest and beach. That made for a lovely walk, and one of my favorite parts of the visit. Inside, the architecture brings the natural light and scenery into the space in a way you really have to see yourself. The Tadao Ando-designed building sits on a hill with stunning sea views, and the collection includes impressive works by Monet, Hockney, and Pollock. It’s an incredible meeting of nature and architecture.

The view was the only real highlight for us. We arrived in the late afternoon and couldn’t get a snack before dinner, which was still hours away. Dinner itself had limited choices, nothing especially memorable, and the portions and variety didn’t match the high price. The room was very basic for what the hotel costs, with dated furniture and décor, as other reviewers have mentioned. The bathroom was particularly unpleasant, with plastic finishes and harsh white lighting that felt more like a hospital than a hotel. The museum felt so minimal that I found it underwhelming. I know art is subjective, but it wasn’t to my taste and didn’t live up to the hype or cost. Things got off to a frustrating start when staff gave us wrong information about their own museum. Benesse House was easily the biggest disappointment of our trip to Japan. Given its reputation and price, I expected much more, and the stay fell short in almost every way.

Being able to wander through the galleries in the evening, when they’re almost empty, was magical. It gave me a much deeper connection with the art than a busy daytime visit would. The hotel’s shuttle also made trips between the port and the island’s art sites easy and stress-free. Our room at Benesse House Museum was in great condition, minimalist but comfortable, and had a private balcony with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea. Watching the sunset from there is a must. The staff were very friendly and took care of all the logistical details. It’s a unique, world-renowned place, so book well ahead. The planning was worth it, and staying here made our visit to Naoshima feel almost spiritual.

There was more art here, and lots of modern works. I still expected to see more Japanese artists. The same transportation issues I mentioned in my Chichu review apply. The architect also designed the Ft Worth Modern about 0 years later, and the two buildings are very similar.