Asia
Japan
Shikoku
Kagawa Prefecture
Kagawa-gun
Naoshima-cho
Places to visit in Naoshima-cho
Benesse House Museum
See all things to do

Benesse House Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Benesse House Museum
4
#4 of 26 things to do in Naoshima-cho
Art Museums
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Write a review

Top ways to experience Benesse House Museum and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
43 within 5 kms
Terrace Restaurant Uminohoshi Etoile de la mer
114
0.3 km₹₹₹₹ • French • European
Museum Restaurant Japanese Issen
118
35 m₹₹₹₹ • Japanese • Asian
Museum Cafe Benesse House
4
17 m
Chichu Cafe
42
0.6 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Cafe
Okonomiyaki Umikko
37
1.2 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Japanese • Asian • Pub
Ramane Tsumu
11
1.2 km₹ • Chinese
Cafe Salon Nakaoku
108
1.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Japanese • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Regalo
8
1.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Italian
Aisunao
83
1.8 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Japanese • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Apron Cafe
27
1.7 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
81 within 10 kms
Yellow Pumpkin
5
9.8 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Lee Ufan Art Museun
219
0.4 kmArt Museums
Chichu Art Museum
851
0.7 kmArt Museums
Naoshima
610
1.6 kmIslands
Gotanji Beach
1
0.6 kmBeaches
Art House Project
377
1.6 kmArchitectural Buildings
Naoshima Bath
206
2 km
Akakabocha
145
2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Naoshima Pavillion
73
1.8 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Ando Museum
178
1.7 kmSpeciality Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
432 reviews
Excellent
196
Very good
148
Average
65
Poor
17
Terrible
7
alanbill
24 contributions
Art Architecture and Well Being
Oct 2023 • Couples
I recommend staying at the Museum. It is pricey but so special! In the main building are some stunnng Hockneys and other great art.
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DxBrindle
Singapore, Singapore57 contributions
Iconic Museum, First Class Hotel and World Class Restaurants with Lots of Tadao Ando.
Sep 2023 • Friends
The total package costs a lot but is well worth it. Everything is coordinated and organised to make your stay as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Much of the art is iconic. Lots of architecture by Tadao Ando. The French restaurant is delightfully refined. In the Japanese restaurant I had my best Japanese meal ever. But it’s the art that’s important!
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom H
Santa Cruz, CA383 contributions
Best Museum on Naoshima
Apr 2023
This is the largest museum on the island and doesn’t require reservations. The museum itself, as with several others on the island, is an art piece itself combining concrete and light in often angular ways. Three of my favorite pieces from the island were here and are representative of what is offered, 1.) an entire wall had a large art piece called the, “River Avon Mud Circles by the Inland Sea” which consisted of circles painted with mud and on the floor a circle made from driftwood, 2.) “Three Chattering Men”, which featured three human sized wooden built outlines of men with their jaws on hinges so they opened and shut along with the audio of inane chattering, and, 3.) “The World Flag Ant Farm”, which was over 100 rectangular ant farms made from packed sand to match the different national flags of the world attached together with tubes to give the ants the possibility to move around. I suggest that you combine visiting here on the same day as your Chi Chu Art Museum reservation since they are located in the same area of the island. Make time after or in-between these visits to see the Valley and Lee Ufan Museum on the same day..
Written 12 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CristinaSoares63
Macau, China49 contributions
Communing with Art and Nature
Apr 2023 • Couples
We had the highest recommendation to stay at Naoshima Art Museum and were ecstatic that we had managed to secure a nightly stay. We loved staying there and waking up in the midst of sculptures in the park and very much everywhere you looked and walked to.
However one thing went very wrong: we did not make a reservation for dinner, didn’t realize we had to and were left with nowhere to have dinner. We went into the village but I will not describe our ordeal. Left a rather unfortunate mark on our stay.
If you go don’t forget to book dinner and breakfast. Otherwise it was amazing.
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurence L
Cagnes-sur-Mer, France41 contributions
Unforgettable experience
Nov 2022 • Couples
We stayed two days at Benesse House and enjoyed this immersive experience very much. In fact, i wish we could have stayed longer. The location overlooking the Seto Sea is breathtaking, the quietness and sense of serenity is palpable even though you are in a concrete building.. and what a building it is, spectacular !! the room was perfect, spacious, good facilities, amazing view and sunrises from the large balcony ( only weird thing is that there is no view obstructor on the balcony with the other rooms next to you so if everybody is outside at the same time there is no sense of privacy ) The food in the Japanese restaurant is fantastic and very creative, fresh and simply perfect. What a pleasure it is at night to wander around the art collection of the museum which includes a painting by D. Hockney. We loved walking around the property and look at the art… you can totally disconnect and feel at peace, remote from the rest of the world. There is an efficient bus service taking you from the port to the property and all runs very smoothly. The reception staff is on the ball and very helpful. One point for improvement would be the breakfast which could be of a higher standard for this level of establishment.
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MadamJosephine
Melbourne, Australia1,301 contributions
Unforgettable experience
Oct 2021
I'm so disappointed with the bad reviews for this amazing Art site. Those who disparage the Museum mustn't have taken the time to explore the grounds and see all the amazing sculptures in such a serene and beautiful setting. Many of the sculptures outside are a bit hidden, so we felt like kids on an Easter Egg Hunt, discovering many in slightly hidden areas. The Hotel is expensive to stay, but totally worth it if you can afford it, in fact forgo something else on your trip and stay overnight for the experience of being able to see the artworks inside the Museum without crowds. There is accommodation on the island at much more reasonable prices if its beyond your means.
Written 26 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aung YeMun
Okayama, Japan206 contributions
Island view from Benesse House Museum
Apr 2021
If you are an art lover, you can choose to visit there. If you stay at benesse house hotel, you can easily take the hotel guest bus service. If you stay outside, you can also take the other bus starting from Chichu Art Museum or bus gate near the benesse house museum. No outside bicycles are not allowed to enter the museum sites. So, it is better to park at Chichu Art Museum or ride along the high hills and park at the entrance of benesse house museum (Benesse Beach hotel site). If you park near beach hotel site, you can walk and see the yellow pumpkin.

Season recommended: Spring
This museum has wider space and amazing view to look.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 6:00 pm; last entrance 5:00pm
Admission fees: 1,050 yen (Free under 15years old)
Written 28 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Didi
Paris, France31 contributions
Arty scam!
Apr 2020 • Couples
While you are on the beautiful Naoshima, you cannot miss this self-called art museum, which originated the birth of the island as art Center.
It is basically an architecture exercise for Tadao Ando who certainly had fun designing the complex building. Beyond the architecture and the views on the surroundings, you can honestly feel cheated by the excessive reputation of the place and the poor artistic content. The place is more operated as a prestige hotel with restricted access areas than a museum to really enjoy, not much to see apart from a few uninspired artists.
Maybe the best part will be to have a coffee/lunch break there to make the experience more filling than empty minimalism.
But while you make the trip to Naoshima, you cannot avoid it, must see with low expectations!
Written 10 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helenmiumiu
Hong Kong, China95 contributions
Favourite amongst all sites on Naoshima
May 2019
This is the place that really exceed my expectation. The museum has nicely integrated into its environment, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. It has various exhibits to draw your attention too. My favorite is the Yellow and Black Boats.

The museum offers an extended viewing time for Benesse House hotel guests.

Afterwards, remember to venture out to see the outdoor exhibits nearby the museum by the sea.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,689 contributions
Lovely Art, Location and Architecture
Dec 2019
Benesse House Museum proved to be our favorite of all the art venues that we visited on Naoshima in December. It certainly met its objectives of showing off art, architecture and a natural setting. Famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando designed the museum to incorporate the stunning landscape into its halls via big windows. The modern building stands on top of a high hill with superb views of the Seto Inland Sea below.

The museum's three floors offer contemporary works that are nicely spaced to avoid overwhelming visitors. Some creations I liked a lot, and others, not so much. One -- Three Chattering Men by Jonathan Borofsky -- caused me to laugh aloud. The tall figures stand side by side, each audibly uttering, "Chatter." I thought that Borofsky successfully stepped outside the box for this creation.

Art installations also appear on the grounds, sometimes by the shore or in the woods. A big fan of Yayoi Kusama, I love her Yellow Pumpkin, which stands at the end of an old wharf that extends from a sandy beach into the sea. And Niki de Saint Phalle's whimsical creations, such as Cat, with the sea as a backdrop, really appealed to me.

For those who want to stop here to eat, the museum has a restaurant on the bottom floor and a small cafe with gift shop on the second floor. The cafe offers light fare, sweets and drinks.

Admission to the Benesse House Museum is JPY 1050 (about $18 U.S.). Tickets can be purchased for immediate entry at the museum. No photos are allowed inside.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 188
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Benesse House Museum (Naoshima-cho) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Benesse House Museum
According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Benesse House Museum:
Hotels near Benesse House Museum: View all hotels near Benesse House Museum on Tripadvisor