I was looking forward to visiting this famous island of art, but only ended up seeing a small but fascinating part of it. After enjoying the ferry ride out to the island my friends and I wandered around Honmura Village. We admired the glass stairway and mysterious cave of Go'o Shrine and puzzled over the strangeness of Haisha, then we visited Kadoya which is an old Japanese house with a shallow pool inside, full of flickering digital stopwatches that cycle endlessly between 9 and 0. It was very impressive. After an inspection of Yayoi Kusama's polka-dot pumpkin, it was time to leave again. I liked the island's laid-back atmosphere and the contrast between the old village and the decidedly modern art.
- 1 min read
Brief Visit to Naoshima
Too much to see, and not enough time
![Cathy Cawood Cathy Cawood](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1713/240x240!/61d020bdef751f611f5e3c02.jpg)
By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
![Polka-dot pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88704/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88704.jpg)
Polka-dot pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama
![Morning glory blooming on the path to Go'o Shrine](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88707/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88707.jpg)
Morning glory blooming on the path to Go'o Shrine
![Stones on the crossbeam of a torii](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88712/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88712.jpg)
Stones on the crossbeam of a torii
![Go'o Shrine designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88710/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88710.jpg)
Go'o Shrine designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto
![I love the glass staircase](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88711/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88711.jpg)
I love the glass staircase
![Once a dentist's house and office, this building has been transformed into a patchwork of sculpture called 'Dreaming Tongue' by artist Shinro Otake](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88714/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88714.jpg)
Once a dentist's house and office, this building has been transformed into a patchwork of sculpture called 'Dreaming Tongue' by artist Shinro Otake
![What appears to be a window is actually a mirror](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88715/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88715.jpg)
What appears to be a window is actually a mirror
![String sculpture on a wooden house](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88713/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88713.jpg)
String sculpture on a wooden house
![Door curtains blowing in the breeze](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88716/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88716.jpg)
Door curtains blowing in the breeze
![The island's decidedly modern and off-beat art is an interesting contrast to the old, traditional homes and shops.](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88861/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88861.jpg)
The island's decidedly modern and off-beat art is an interesting contrast to the old, traditional homes and shops.
![Brace pines growing near the ferry dock](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88717/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88717.jpg)
Brace pines growing near the ferry dock
![Inside the polka-dot pumpkin](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88719/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88719.jpg)
Inside the polka-dot pumpkin
![Peek-a-boo](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88720/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88720.jpg)
Peek-a-boo
![Island view](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14903-88721/1000/kagawa-visit-to-naoshima-88721.jpg)
Island view
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Join the discussion
FebiNU
8 years ago
interesting place!!
Relinda Puspita
9 years ago
Really want to go there!
It's a fascinating place, and I only saw a fraction of it. I want to go again.
3 comments in total
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