Ando Museum, Naoshima

The Ando Museum is located in the Honmura district of Naoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, Kagawa Prefecture. Opened in 2013, the museum was designed by architect Tadao Ando as both an exhibition space for his architectural philosophy and a demonstration of his design techniques. The building integrates a 100-year-old wooden house with new concrete interior spaces, creating a dialogue between traditional Japanese residential architecture and contemporary minimalist design using Ando's signature exposed concrete and geometric forms.

The museum documents Ando's work transforming Naoshima from a declining industrial island into an international contemporary art destination. Exhibitions feature sketches, models, photographs, and materials explaining his design process for Naoshima projects including the Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, and Benesse House Museum. The building demonstrates Ando's approach to adaptive reuse, preserving the wooden exterior while inserting modern concrete interiors. The museum is part of the Honmura Art House Project, which integrates contemporary art into traditional island homes.

The museum experience emphasizes the contrast between preserved wooden exterior and modern concrete interior spaces. Displays include documentation of Ando's Naoshima projects, architectural drawings, and conceptual materials. The spatial design showcases Ando's manipulation of natural light through positioned openings and creation of contemplative environments. The museum is located within the Art House Project walking route, near installations including Kadoya, Minamidera, and Kinza.

The museum is approximately 2 kilometers from Miyanoura Port, Naoshima's main ferry terminal. Reach Honmura by town bus (approximately 10 minutes, ¥100) or rental bicycle. Naoshima is accessible by ferry from Uno Port in Okayama (20 minutes) or Takamatsu Port in Kagawa (approximately 50 minutes). Admission is ¥520 for adults and ¥310 for children aged 15 and under. The museum operates timed entry during peak periods due to limited interior space.