[Naoshima Stay] Five Reasons I Recommend Staying at Benesse House — A Benesse House Park Stay Report

A Stay on Naoshima

Known as an island of art, Naoshima.
Many people—factoring in sightseeing to nearby islands such as Teshima and Shodoshima—probably plan their visit around staying overnight.

As a base for touring Naoshima, one option is to stay in the well-equipped Takamatsu or Okayama areas and reach the island by ferry, but since it’s such a special chance, you’ll want to stay on Naoshima itself and spend a relaxed, unhurried time.
For those considering just such a stay, what I most wholeheartedly recommend is Benesse House. Below, I describe in detail the reasons why, having experienced it myself, I truly want to recommend it.

Benesse House

Benesse House, as the name suggests, is the collective name for the lodgings on Naoshima operated by Benesse Corporation, a company engaged in correspondence education, publishing, and other businesses.

Benesse House is broadly made up of four lodging facilities.

1. ParkSet on a gentle rise surrounded by the nature of the Seto Inland Sea, it is one of the few wooden buildings in Ando’s architecture. From the guest-room balconies, outdoor works dotting the green lawn and the Seto Inland Sea spread out before you, with the mountains of Shikoku and blue sky beyond.
   Inside are an art space created by the artists themselves, a lounge for guests only, the terrace restaurant Étoile de la mer (Umi no Hoshi), and a shop.
2. BeachJust a few steps from the water’s edge, this is the building closest to the shore within Benesse House — an accommodation-only wing where every room is a suite. From rooms wrapped in the sound of gentle waves, your eyeline meets the surface of the Seto Inland Sea, and you feel as if standing within the sea itself. The spacious, open rooms suit family stays as well.
3. MuseumSet inside the “Benesse Museum,” this is the hotel closest to the art.
   The rooms, in four types, display drawings, paintings, and prints by the collection’s artists. The building opens widely outward, so you always sense nature even indoors.
4. OvalStanding on a hill reached by monorail from the Museum, it fuses the nature of the Seto Inland Sea with Ando’s architecture — a space for just six rooms. Floor-to-ceiling openings give a sweeping view of the Seto Inland Sea, and in some rooms the artists have drawn directly on the walls.

On this trip I stayed in a “Twin” room at Benesse House Park (one night: ¥38,720) on a plan that added a buffet breakfast (¥2,662).
The total for two people came to ¥44,044 (tax and service charge included).

Five Reasons I Recommend It

 

[1] Strong in Both Hardware and Software — Spotless Rooms and a Naoshima Location

Benesse House Park, where I stayed, has a nature-rich setting with green lawn and the Seto Inland Sea spreading right before you. You can stroll at leisure, surrounded by sea, art, and greenery.
The view you can take in from your very room is sure to heighten that resort feeling.

The building, designed by Tadao Ando, is a beautifully finished facility built mainly from exposed concrete and wood.

At 28 m² the room is by no means large, but it was easy to use and comfortable.
It was well stocked with amenities and everything needed for a stay. The shower had strong pressure and plenty of hot water, which felt especially good. For soap and shampoo, the Thai brand THANN was used.

[2] Diverse Art Experiences

Within Benesse House Park, many artworks that only guests can see are displayed across the grounds and inside the facilities.
You may also photograph them.
*Photography is not permitted at the Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, and the like.

Stay at Benesse House and your visit becomes one where you can view many works by renowned artists.

[3] Convenient Access and Getting Around

Bicycles and cars are prohibited on the roads around Benesse Art Site, but guests receive a “pass” permitting them through. You can also ride the free shuttle bus for guests only that circles the island, making getting around during your stay very comfortable.

With the guests-only free shuttle, if you tell the driver your destination, they may call a “special stop” near your target spot and accommodate you almost like a taxi.

The guests-only free bus also runs fairly frequently, so you’ll likely rely on it many times.
It’s especially welcome in seasons like the hot summer.

[4] Special Museum Admission

For Benesse House guests, admission to Benesse House Museum (¥1,050) is free.
What’s more, off-hours viewing is possible — from 8:00 in the early morning until 23:00 late at night.

There’s a real thrill in experiencing how the museum’s expression shifts from morning to night.
The chance to view a quiet museum late at night is especially precious.

Benesse House guests may also re-enter Naoshima’s art facilities (Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, Art House Project, ANDO MUSEUM) during their stay. Show your ticket stub at the front desk and they’ll stamp it for re-entry.

Furthermore, even when the Chichu Art Museum is fully booked, if you’re a Benesse House guest they will reserve a special admission slot for you even in otherwise full time slots (the special slots themselves may be full).

Many tourists come to Naoshima for art, but staying at Benesse House lets you feel even greater experiential value.

[5] Hospitality-Rich Service

Warm, attentive hospitality will surely etch your Naoshima stay into memory as an even richer experience.

While I looked at works inside, staff would casually offer, “Shall I take a photo of you together?” or share episodes about the pieces — thoughtful touches that were a delight.

When visiting Benesse House Museum outside operating hours, the free bus doesn’t run, but even then they’ll drive you there from Benesse House Park.

And on the Park Art Tour held from 20:00 in the evening, the hotel staff explain the works, centering on the “Coffin of Light” that Hiroshi Sugimoto created on Park’s basement level B1.

Points to Keep in Mind

I’ve dwelt on the good points, but I’d also like to touch on things to watch for.
When it comes to sightseeing, meals matter — but the restaurants operating within Benesse House are pricey, and looking at the dinner menu, it seems you have little choice but to order a course of nearly ¥10,000 even for one person.

There are few eateries nearby, and there aren’t even the drink vending machines you’d normally find inside a lodging. This time I had only breakfast at the terrace restaurant and went to another place outside for dinner.

One place I really liked is an izakaya-style okonomiyaki and teppanyaki restaurant called “Umikko.”
It was a 15–20 minute walk from Benesse House Park.

Even ordering beer, sake, simmered nibbles and okonomiyaki, it came to ¥4,000 for two.
Also, if you’d like to buy beer a bit cheaper, there’s an “Asahi Super Dry” vending machine in the area of “Naoshima Furusato Umi no Ie Tsutsuji-so,” a short walk from Yayoi Kusama’s “Yellow Pumpkin.” Do check it out.

In Summary

Reservations for Benesse House can mainly be made through the Benesse Art Site Naoshima official website.
Rooms are limited, so booking is very difficult in peak season.
Since reservations can be cancelled up to one week before, I recommend making at least a booking as early as possible, even at the planning stage.
*Reservations open from 180 days (about six months) before your intended stay date.

Also, even once fully booked, cancellations are possible up to 7 days ahead. A room may suddenly open up around one week before your desired dates. Availability updates in real time, so if you check frequently, a room may open up at just the right moment.
May your stay at Benesse House make for a wonderful Naoshima trip!

Details

Benesse HouseMuseum / Oval / Park / Beach *4 buildings
Rooms: 65 total
Pets: not allowed
Check-in: 15:00–21:00
Check-out: 11:00
Notes: free shuttle, spa facilities
Architect: Tadao Ando
Address: Kotoura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa 761-3110
Tel: 087-892-3223
Official site: https://benesse-artsite.jp/stay/