Art House Project on Naoshima

The Art House Project began in 1998 in Honmura, a traditional village district on Naoshima's eastern side. The project transformed abandoned houses and buildings into art installations as part of efforts to revitalize the aging community.

Rather than demolishing vacant structures, artists worked with existing architecture to create site-specific works that preserve the buildings while giving them new purpose. The project expanded gradually, with seven houses now open to the public.

Each house features work by a different artist or team who collaborated with architects to integrate contemporary art with traditional Japanese architecture.  Kadoya was the first house completed in 1998, featuring work by Tatsuo Miyajima with digital LED counters installed in a restored merchant's home and a stone garden. 

Art House Project houses include Minamidera by James Turrell, a wooden structure housing a light installation in complete darkness that requires visitors' eyes to adjust over several minutes.

Kinza contains installations by Rei Naito in a former dentist's office and residence.  Go'o Shrine, designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto, reconstructed a 400-year-old Shinto shrine with a glass staircase leading to an underground stone chamber. 

Ishibashi features work by Hiroshi Senju in a renovated salt merchant's house.  Gokaisho, by Yoshihiro Suda displays wooden sculptures in a traditional meeting hall.  Haisha ("Dentist") by Shinro Ohtake is the largest installation, combining a full-scale Statue of Liberty replica, painted murals, and collaged interiors in a former dental clinic.

Honmura is accessible from Miyanoura Port via town bus, approximately 10 minutes, or from Honmura Port, a 5-minute walk. The village has narrow streets unsuitable for large vehicles, making walking or cycling the primary way to navigate between houses. Bicycle rental is available at both ferry ports.

Individual house admission costs ¥520 per house, or visitors can purchase a combined ticket for ¥1,050 covering access to six houses (Go'o Shrine requires a separate ¥520 ticket).