Our most enjoyable adventure thus far was a 3-day visit to Naoshima. Located on the Seto Inland Sea, the island is renowned for its assortment of contemporary art galleries and exhibits--most impressive and famous are the Benesse House and the Chichu art museums. To get there we rode the Shinkansen--the "bullet train"--from Kobe to Okayama. We picked up a local train to Uno and a ferry to Naoshima.
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| The bullet train arriving in Kobe |
The ferry ride reminded us of the San Juan Islands.
First thing we did when we got there was rent bikes and check in to our little Ryokan (a type of traditional Japanese Inn that originated in the Edo Period--1603-1868--when such inns served travelers along Japan's highways. Here we are on our way to the inn:
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| So good to be on bikes again! |
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| Our innkeeper gardening under her umbrella |
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| The Benesse House on the Seto Inland Sea |
Art is everywhere on Naoshima. On the back side of a pond we saw "Slag Buddha 88" by Tsuyoshi Ozawa. The work is based on historical Buddhist figures who were part of the 88 temples pilgrimage route on the island.
On the road leading to the Chichu underground museum, Fin enjoyed a garden facsimile of the Giverny setting for Monet's "Water Lillies" series (some of which are housed at Chichu). Below is the "Pumpkin Sculpture" by Yagoi Kusama--one of the more famous examples of public art on the island.
The beaches were magical and peaceful. We found lots of shells and sea life.
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| A beached jellyfish |
Gosh -- the Harrison-Worthen clan travels light and travels with a bit of wit and wonder. Laura: received the birthday missive FROM JAPAN with the url to this amazing blog and ... my goodness everyone. What a lovely adventure you are having!
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