Minamidera was one of the most unique experiences I had on Naoshima.
From the moment you enter, you are in complete darkness. You’re asked to keep your right arm out in front of you, following the wall until a staff member guides you to a bench. It’s surprisingly disorienting, but also incredibly calming, forcing you to slow down and rely on your other senses.
If you’re looking to find a sense of zen or simply experience something completely different, this is well worth visiting.
I don’t know whether it was part of the artwork or just how my eyes responded to the darkness, but after a while I started seeing subtle kaleidoscope-like patterns and movement. It was fascinating and added another layer to the experience.
One suggestion for future visitors: if possible, avoid sitting right next to the wall. I was first in and ended up there. When we were later asked to walk towards the light, I couldn’t actually see it from my position and had to follow the sounds of the people ahead with my arms out until I moved forward. Once I was away from the wall, the light became visible and the experience made much more sense.
Go in with an open mind, embrace the silence, and let yourself experience it without expectations.
I will echo other people’s opinion and say that you should enter here without knowing anything about it. The experience is astounding when you go in with no expectations or prior knowledge whatsoever.
This was my favorite part of Naoshima, perhaps even my favorite art piece of all time. To me, ideally, art should be understandable right away without any prior explanations or some kind of grandiose essay about it. This experience left me speechless and stunned for a few minutes after the exhibition. It is quite an experience you will never get from elsewhere.
I visited a different version at Museum San in Korea. I enjoyed both of the artworks so much but this one i felt deeper emotions I must say. As a person with slight claustrophobia you might want to be careful about its VERY dark inside
the art presented is very low level and poor.
the island is beautiful, best was to explore is by renting a bicycle
The girls who know, know. The guide speaks in both Japanese and English, so if you don't get it, maybe you should reflect on why you fought for these tickets. There are so many interesting questions one can ask about the mechanisms of the how the eyes/brain works, or how the piece is made, or what the artist is trying to get you to ponder about the world around you. No notes.
