帆とアートと潮風が出迎えてくれた
岡山から船に揺られること約15分。穏やかな瀬戸内の海に浮かぶ直島は、港に着く瞬間から“できごと”が始まる島だ。水面に映る青空とアート、その調和が心にしみていく。
Sails, art, and sea breeze greeted me
After a short 15-minute ferry ride from Okayama, Naoshima appears, floating gently in the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea. The moment you arrive at the port, it feels like something has already begun. Reflected in the water are blue skies and art—an effortless harmony that quietly touches the heart.
楽しさ溢れるアート作品群
春会期に訪れる直島は、現代アートの力強い祝祭空間でもある。中でも安藤忠雄設計の地中美術館やベネッセハウス ミュージアムは、自然光と建築、そして作品が交わる静謐な美しさ。太陽の角度を計算し尽くされた天井や壁は、作品と光を深く調和させ、歩くたびに心が整う。
屋外では、草間彌生の「赤かぼちゃ」が漁港に穏やかに鎮座し、その鮮やかなドット模様は風景に軽やかな魔法をかける。大竹伸朗の作品も島のあちこちに点在し、気づけば「島全体がアートだ」と深く頷いてしまう。
A Joyful World of Artworks
Visiting Naoshima during the spring season feels like stepping into a vibrant celebration of contemporary art. Among the highlights are the Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House Museum, both designed by Tadao Ando. These architectural masterpieces seamlessly blend natural light, space, and art, creating a serene beauty where each beam of sunlight has been precisely calculated. As you walk through, your mind naturally settles, drawn into quiet harmony.
Outdoors, Yayoi Kusama’s iconic Red Pumpkin rests peacefully by the fishing port, its bold polka dots casting a playful enchantment over the landscape. Works by Shinro Ohtake are scattered across the island as well, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself nodding in agreement—“the whole island is art.”
家がアート作品
さらに忘れられないのは、古民家を再生した家（いえ）プロジェクト。狭い路地を抜け、小さな戸を開けると、住まいが作品になっている空間が姿を現す。「生活」とアートが混ざり合うその体験は、どこか懐かしく、でも新しく。つい足を止め、時間ごと深く味わいたくなる。
自然との融合も直島ならでは。島をめぐる自転車の旅では、穏やかな海岸線がずっと見える。宮浦エリアから眺める夕日は、赤く穏やかに沈み、まるで一日の幕引きを祝福するかのよう。潮風の中に、アートの余韻が溶けていく。
島の文化と食も、旅の彩りに。直島銭湯「I♥︎湯」は、タイル絵とお湯というアート空間で、日常がちょっと特別に変わる体験。地元産の直島豆腐は優しい舌触りで、島のレストランでは瀬戸内の魚介を使った料理とともに味わえる。
Where Homes Become Art
One of the most unforgettable experiences on Naoshima is the Art House Project, where old traditional homes are transformed into immersive art spaces. As you weave through narrow alleys and open unassuming doors, you’re met with the astonishing sight of everyday living spaces reimagined as works of art. The fusion of “life” and art feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new—inviting you to pause and savor the moment slowly, deeply.
This harmony with nature is another hallmark of Naoshima. A leisurely bike ride around the island offers constant views of the tranquil coastline. From the Miyanoura area, the sunset paints the sea in soft red hues, as if quietly celebrating the close of day. In the salty breeze, the afterglow of the art seems to melt into the landscape.
The island’s culture and cuisine further enrich the journey. At Naoshima Bath “I♥︎湯”, everyday bathing is transformed into an artful ritual, with vibrant tile murals creating a whimsical atmosphere. Locally made Naoshima tofu delights with its gentle texture, and island restaurants offer fresh seafood dishes that reflect the bounty of the Seto Inland Sea.
アートを目指して旅に出よう
岡山から船で来ることもまた、この旅の“豊かさ”を深くしてくれる。出航の時、海と空とアートがゆっくりと近づき、島に足を踏み入れる前から胸の奥が柔らかくなる。
アクセスを考えると、1日で回るのはもったいない。地中美術館や家プロジェクト、草間彌生、銭湯に夕景……どれもゆっくり味わいたいものばかり。だからこそ直島には1泊2日がよく似合う。朝は海風とアート、夜は温泉と星空。翌朝のフェリーで潮風を浴びながら戻るとき、もう「また来よう」と決めている自分がいる。
自然・アート・食。そこに生活文化も混ざるこの島は、つねに“発見”をくれる宝箱だ。瀬戸内芸術祭の春、直島は「いつもと違う自分」に出会わせてくれる、そんな場所だった。
Set Off on a Journey for Art
Traveling by ferry from Okayama isn’t just transportation—it’s part of what makes the journey feel so rich. As the boat slowly glides across the calm Seto Inland Sea, the sky, the ocean, and art itself draw closer. Even before stepping onto Naoshima, you feel your heart soften.
Considering all there is to see, trying to cover the island in a single day would be a disservice. The Chichu Art Museum, the Art House Project, Yayoi Kusama’s sculptures, the artistic public bath, and the glowing seaside sunsets—all deserve to be experienced slowly, with presence. That’s why Naoshima is best savored over a full two-day stay. Mornings with sea breeze and art, evenings with onsen and starlight. And when you board the ferry the next morning, salt wind in your face, you’ll likely find yourself already thinking, “I’ll come back.”
Nature, art, cuisine—and the pulse of everyday island life. Naoshima is a treasure chest of small discoveries. In the spring season of the Setouchi Triennale, it’s a place that gently introduces you to a version of yourself you’ve never met before.
