Brief Visit to Naoshima

Too much to see, and not enough time

Cathy Cawood Sep 04, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Polka-dot pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama</p>

<p>Morning glory blooming on the path to Go'o Shrine</p>

<p>Stones on the crossbeam of a torii</p>

<p>Go'o Shrine designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto</p>

<p>Once a dentist's house and office, this building has been transformed into a patchwork of sculpture called 'Dreaming Tongue' by artist Shinro Otake</p>

<p>What appears to be a window is actually a mirror</p>

<p>String sculpture on a wooden house</p>

<p>Door curtains blowing in the breeze</p>

<p>The island's decidedly modern and off-beat art is an interesting contrast to the old, traditional homes and shops.</p>

<p>Brace pines growing near the ferry dock</p>

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.

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...