FAQ
Below are answers to some common questions about Benesse Art Site Naoshima.
For other questions, please contact us as indicated on this page.
Naoshima
Transport
- How do I get around Naoshima?
- You can use the Naoshima Town Bus, a rental bicycle, or simply walk. Please see our Naoshima Map page for more information.
- Is it possible to walk around the island?
- Yes. The approximate time needed to travel between different art facilities is indicated below. Please note that many roads on the island are quite steep, travelling time may thus vary greatly.
Miyanoura Port → Honmura: appx. 30min.(appx. 2.5km)
Honmura → Benesse House Museum: appx. 30min.(appx. 2.5km)
Benesse House Museum → Lee Ufan Museum: appx.9min(appx. 500m)
Lee Ufan Museum → Chichu Art Museum: appx.9min(appx. 500m)
Chichu Art Museum → Miyanoura Port: appx.30min(appx. 2.5km)
- Are there any taxis on Naoshima?
- There are taxis on Naoshima Island. We recommend making an advance reservation.
Nissin Taxi TEL +81-87-882-2424 (Japanese Only)
Business hours 8:30 a.m.～22:00 p.m.
Okawa Taxi TEL +81-87-851-3356 (Japanese Only)
Business hours 8:30 a.m.～22:00 p.m.
- Is there a parking area close to the Chichu Art Museum?
- Parking is available at the Ticket Center. However, parking spaces are limited, and so rather than driving we recommend visitors use the Naoshima Town Bus to travel around the island, and the free shuttle bus to travel within the Benesse Art Site Naoshima area.
- Is there a parking area close to the Lee Ufan Museum?
- There is no parking available at the Lee Ufan Museum. Guests not staying at Benesse House should park at the Chichu Art Museum Ticket Center. Guests staying at Benesse House may use either the hotel parking area or the Chichu Art Museum Ticket Center parking area.
- How do I get back to the port (宮浦港; Miyanoura-ko) after attending the Open Sky Night Program at the Chichu Art Museum?
- There is a transportation service back to the hotel for guests of Benesse House. Other visitors may walk or bicycle. It may take a reasonably fit person 15 minutes to bicycle and 35 minutes at a brisk pace to walk.
About the museums
- Is it possible to reenter the museums?
- Visitors may reenter the Lee Ufan Museum and ANDO MUSEUM on the day of the original visit only; the Benesse House Museum can be reentered on the same day and the following day. Entrance tickets must be presented for reentry to the museums.
However, guests staying at Benesse House are able to reenter the Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, Benesse House Museum, Art House Project, ANDO MUSEUM, Ring of Fire - Solar Yang & Lunar Weerasethakul at any time during their stay. Please inquire at the Benesse House front desk for more information.
*"Ring of Fire - Solar Yang & Lunar Weerasethakul” can only be re-entered only on Solar (Day). Please present your receipt at the front desk.
- Can I take my pet into the museums located on Naoshima?
- Unfortunately pets are not allowed to enter any of the museums located on Naoshima. Please note also museums there is no pet minding service.
- Is it possible to borrow a wheelchair, and can I visit the museums using a wheelchair?
- Wheelchairs are available and it is possible to visit the museums using a wheelchair at the Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum and Benesse House Museum. Please note that some of the spaces in the museum require you to remove your shoes. Wheelchair numbers are limited, so please be sure to reserve one in advance. You can find the contact numbers for each of the museums on our facilities page.
- I have a Physical Disability Certificate. Does this entitle me to a discount on museum entrance fees?
- None of the museums offer discounts or waive entrance fees.
- How much time should I allot for the museums located on Naoshima?
- The following times apply as a rule of thumb for the time to allot to each museum:
Chichu Art Museum: 1 hour - 1 hour and 30 minutes
Lee Ufan Museum: 30 minutes
Benesse House Museum: 1 hour
Art House Project: 2 hours
ANDO MUSEUM: 15 - 30 minutes
- I just want to visit the cafes and shops in the the museums located on Naoshima.
- Entrance tickets are required in order to visit the cafes and shops in the museums. However, the shop near Benesse House Hotel and the Honmura Lounge & Archive can be visited without purchasing a museum entrance ticket.
- I've heard that I need a waiting number to get into the Minamidera (Art House Project) when they are crowded.
- The time tickets will be distributed at the Honmura Lounge & Archive for Minamidera, as the number of people who can view the work at one time is limited. Please ask the staff of the Honmura Lounge & Archive for more information when you visit.
About the artworks
- Can I photograph the artworks?
- We request visitors not to take photographs basically on museum premises. Also, it is strictly prohibited to operate Unmanned Aircrafts (UAs) /Drones in Benesse Art Site Naoshima premises without our prior permission due to safety assurance reasons for the people, architecture, and artworks. We also ask visitors not to take videos or make sketches. However, in some cases individual museums allow visitors to take photographs of outside artworks and certain other works. Please read the information below, and ask the museum staff if you require further information.
- Chichu Art Museum: Visitors may take photographs only in the Ticket Center and the Chichu Garden. No photography is allowed inside the museum.
- Lee Ufan Museum: Visitors may photograph the artworks located outside the building. Once past the ticket counter, however, no photography is allowed.
- Benesse House Museum: Visitors may take photographs except for some artworks inside.
- Art House Project: Visitors may take photographs except for Minamidera and Kinza.
- Naoshima Bath "I♥︎︎湯": In order to respect the privacy of neighboring residents, passersby, and other visitors, only photographs of the exterior may be taken.
We also ask that visitors use any photographs that they take for their personal use and not for publication or similar purposes.
- Is it allowed to touch outdoor artworks?
- To prevent damaging the artworks, we ask all guest to kindly refrain from touching all works, including those installed outdoors.
- How do I learn about the art work at Benesse Art Site Naoshima?
- A dedicated publication is available at each art facility. Please also see the publications page for more information.
About Group visits
- Is a discount available for groups?
- We do not offer discounts for groups.
- Is there anything we should be aware of if visiting the museums in a large group (9 or more people)?
- In order to ensure a smooth admission, groups of 9 or more visitors who intend to visit Chichu Art Museum are advised to contact us in advance using the Benesse Art Site Naoshima Group Advance Notice Form.
Please note that we are unable to guarantee that we can accommodate your requested date and/or time of visit.
- Is there parking space for large vehicle like tour buses?
- Parking space is available for museum visitors who arrive in buses. Because advance reservations are required for some spaces, please contact the individual museum in advance.
Please see the Our facilities page for contact details.
Miscellaneous
- Are there any automated teller machine (ATM) for personal banking near the museums?
- There is an ATM in the Naoshima Post Office in the Honmura district where the Art Houses Project is located. There is also an ATM in the Miyanoura Post Office and the convenience store(Seven Eleven) in the Miyaura Port area. Please see the individual websites for hours.
- Is there any place we can eat outside? Can we do fireworks around hotel?
- It is not allowed to eat out, do fireworks, or to swim on our premises all-year around.
- Are there medical facilities on Naoshima?
- A municipal hospital, the Fureai Clinic (ふれあい診療所; Fureai Shinryosho), is located in Miyanoura (available 24 hours).
- Are there medical facilities on Naoshima?
- A municipal hospital, the Fureai Clinic (ふれあい診療所; Fureai Shinryosho), is located in Miyanoura.
Operation Days: Monday to Friday (Closed on national holidays and New Year holidays)
Operation Hours: From 9:00am to 12:00pm / From 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Reception Hours: From 8:30am to 11:30am / From 2:00pm to 4:00pm
＊May be available on a requested basis for accident and emergency.
JPY30,000 is required as a deposit for out-of-hours service.
＊This is the only one clinic on the island. In case of emergency, one may be directed to a medical institution outside Naoshima in another prefecture.
＊Please note that regular ferry/boat from Naoshima runs on a specific timetable and is limited.
＊The Fureai Clinic does not have a depatment of obstetrics and gynecology. For those who are in pregnancy and need medical care/treatment will be directed to an institution outside Naoshima. We would much appreciate it if you can consult your doctor before travelling.
