Twilight and illuminations

2020/12/04

The ginkgo trees on the island have all lost their leaves, and the autumn leaves on the mountains have become more vibrant. I snapped a photo of the other day's sunset. It slowly sinks beyond the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido. Truly twilight. The magic hour. And after this, every year, illuminations will be lit only during the winter in the Miyaura Port Green Space where the red pumpkin is located...

Naoshima is also doing its best, so everyone, please!

2020/08/14

The hot days continue every day! Naoshima is also in the middle of summer with the blazing sun, but on days with a sea breeze, it's quite refreshing! And with the four-day weekend in July and Obon in August, although it's not like usual years, the number of visitors has increased significantly compared to April. Therefore, we have a request for everyone. There are many elderly people on the island, and there is no hospital (only a clinic), so concerning COVID-19...

Naoshima Pavilion Blue Illumination

2020/06/25

  To express our respect and gratitude to healthcare professionals, caregivers, and all those involved in maintaining essential social activities such as logistics, who are working day and night in medical institutions, care facilities, and welfare facilities, as well as around the world and throughout Japan, while facing the risk of novel coronavirus infection, we are doing our small part on Naoshima to MAKE IT BLUE...

Before and After

2020/05/14

May is already halfway over, and here on Naoshima, we're blessed with clear skies and the refreshing Seto Inland Sea breeze, with days feeling like summer, where a little exertion brings up a sweat. Every year, Naoshima is inundated with visitors around Golden Week, but this year, an astonishing silence enveloped the island. Needless to say, this was due to the influence of the novel coronavirus.

Naoshima blog, resuming!

2020/04/24

Suddenly, after a long silence, I've decided to restart the blog! Coincidentally, it's at a time like this, but precisely because it's a time like this, I want to share the present and charm of Naoshima, so that when you can travel with peace of mind, you'll definitely want to visit! With that in mind, I want to start sharing again. Also, this time...

Miyanoura Port Illumination

2018/12/14

This year, the illuminations are shining at Miyaura Port Green Space from 5 PM. Those returning to Uno can enjoy the collaboration of light with the Naoshima Pavilion from the ferry's windows. Sometimes, the performance with the moon floating in the night sky is also wonderful. Please watch warmly. The installation period is until Sunday, January 6, 2019. ...

Koto Hiki Kai Beach opens for the season

2018/07/13

The Kotohikihama Beach has opened for the season. The sandy beach area is located around “Tsutsujiso,” the "Furusato Umi no Ie" (Hometown Seaside House) on the south side of the island. Although it is called a swimming beach, this designation means that the shallow waters are suitable for swimming and have good water quality. There are no lifeguards or rescue personnel. Swimming is at your own risk. Barbecues and self-catering are not permitted within the area. There is also a campground...

Naoshima's carp streamers

2018/04/26

Koinobori (carp streamers) are flying around Naoshima Elementary School. These Koinobori were donated to Naoshima Town by households on Naoshima that no longer used them. If you pass by Naoshima Elementary School on the town bus or by bicycle, please be sure to take a look. ...

Mitsubishi Materials Naoshima Smelter Celebrates 100th Anniversary!

2017/12/09

The "Mitsubishi Materials Naoshima Smelter," which has been in operation since 1917 (Taisho 6) on a site of approximately 1.81 million square meters in the northern part of Naoshima, primarily smelting copper, celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. Currently, with world-leading technology, it produces over 200,000 tons of electrolytic copper annually, and from the resulting gold and silver slime and the bases of electronic devices, known as "urban mines"...

Naoshima Luminaria 2017

2017/12/03

The Luminarie (illumination) in the Miyaura Port Green Space, which I mentioned in my last blog post, is shining from 5 PM again this year. Those returning to Uno can enjoy the collaboration of light with the Naoshima Pavilion from their ferry windows. Sometimes, the performance with the moon floating in the night sky is also wonderful. Please bundle up warmly to enjoy the view. The installation period is until January 8, 2018...

Hidden gem for illuminations

2017/12/01

The cold weather is continuing. It is winter! One of the most popular winter traditions is twinkling illuminations, and there is one place on Naoshima where they shine brightly. The town of Miyaura Port, the gateway to the island, also has a "Naonarie"? (Click here for last year's article), but there is actually a hidden spot on the island. I can't tell you where it is because it is done in a private home, but you might be surprised...

You can taste Naoshima's newly harvested rice from 2017 on the island.

2017/11/15

The Naoshima Rice Cultivation Project is an art project set in the fallow rice paddies of the Sekiura district of Naoshima Town. Planned in connection with the 2006 exhibition "Naoshima Standard 2," the project revives rice cultivation in Naoshima, which had been in decline, and restores the rural landscape to the neglected land. The new rice harvested in Naoshima is available for a limited time on the island at...

Minesweeper Naoshima has docked.

2017/08/06

Starting August 6th, the minesweeper Naoshima has docked at Miyaura Port. Minesweepers are vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and they are small ships tasked with safely clearing naval mines underwater and on the seabed to ensure the safety of shipping lanes. Many of the vessel names are derived from Japanese islands, and it was named "Naoshima" after Naoshima by the fourth vessel in the Sugashima-class minesweepers. Until 3:00 PM on the 7th, it will be open to the general public for viewing...

Uno is hot right now!

2017/06/10

20 minutes by ferry from Naoshima. Uno Port, Tamano City. Many of you probably come to Naoshima from Uno Port, but recently, new restaurants have been opening one after another, and combined with the existing establishments, Uno is currently heating up! "Cafe & Gelato Roberto Uno." Opened March 2017. The owner, who worked in Italy for many years, returned to Japan and, through a connection...

(New Product) "Naoshima Port Terminal" postcards are now available!

2017/06/02

A small passenger ship terminal completed last November at Naoshima Port (commonly known as Honmura Port). Designed by the architectural unit "SANAA," also famous for "Umi no Eki Naoshima." The image is of fluffy clouds. We've made postcards of photographs of the Naoshima Port Terminal. A magical design that makes you happy just by looking at it. Available at "Naoshima Rakuichi," the souvenir shop inside "Umi no Eki Naoshima"...

'Naoshima Old House Share Life' is now available at the Sea Station!

2017/06/02

Matsuzaki Shiori's popular blog, which was featured on this blog last June, has been published as a book and released by KADOKAWA! ※Last June's article is here → Island Life: Common Occurrences - 4-panel Manga Shiori, who was living the life of an office lady in the city, moved to Naoshima in the year she turned 25. She shares various stories about her leisurely and lively island life in a 4-panel format...

(New Product) Teshima Lemon Cake Now Available!

2017/05/29

The neighboring island, Teshima. This island, rich in nature, also produces abundant crops. Of course, there are olives, but also rice in the terraced fields, mandarins and lemons in the mountains, and strawberries in the fields. "Teshima Lemon Cake" is made using lemons grown without pesticides on Teshima and the wheat flour "Sanuki Yumé 2000," which is also used in Sanuki udon. It is made by...

Would you like to try rice planting on Naoshima?

2017/05/10

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the "Naoshima Rice Cultivation Project" started by the Fukutake Foundation. The first event, "Rice Planting," will be held on Saturday, June 17th. This is a valuable opportunity to experience rice cultivation throughout the year, with "Rice Harvesting" in October and "Mochi Making" in December, where you can eat the rice you helped grow. We encourage you to participate. Date / Time:

Regarding Uno Port Parking due to the "Tamano Port Festival" held on Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st

2017/05/09

The "Tamano Port Festival" will be held on Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st at Uno Port in Tamano City, the gateway to Naoshima from Okayama. "Tamano Port Festival" Homepage Every year, tens of thousands of visitors attend the festival over two days, and the parking lots around Uno Port are completely full from morning until the end of the day. If you are planning to visit the island by parking your car at Uno Port on the day...

Naoshi Marche will be held on May 4th!

2017/04/30

What is Naoshima Marché? The Naoshima Marché is an event that was launched with the idea of "enjoying and loving handmade goods while feeling the refreshing sea breeze of Naoshima. Our goal is to have many people from both inside and outside of the island come and rediscover the beauty of Naoshima, and to create an event that can be continued as part of the revitalization of the town! (From the Naoshima Marché website) Handmade accessories...