The complete guide to Benesse House

Located on a small island in the interior of Seto, Naoshima has established itself as one of the world’s top destinations for art lovers in the world. Arriving here is like entering another dimension – a field where the glittering turquoise sea, rolling hills and lush forests seamlessly intertwined with the dazzling array of contemporary art museums and installations. One of its crown jewels is the Benesse House, a facility that combines hospitality and high-end art.

In short, Bensese House is like a combination of hotels, museums and open-air museums, where contemporary art, nature and architecture come together. The guests here rarely have the opportunity to spend the night in the masterpieces of some of the world’s most famous artists.

It has four different accommodation buildings that can make the most of its location, each with its own charm and characteristics: a museum, an oval, a park and a beach. These four promises the best private access to contemporary art and design, all designed by Star Architect Tadao Ando.

Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin 2022©Yayoi Kusama Photo: Tadasu Yamamoto

On the sprawling grounds of the Bensese House building, visitors can find numerous indoor and outdoor exhibitions, including Yayoi Kusama’s iconic “Pumpkin”, which is boldly located by the waterside. Within the Benesse House Museum, world-class artists are exhibited, such as Cy Twombly, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jenny Holzer and Yves Klein. Dotted in the surrounding landscape are sculptures and site-specific works created specifically for the site.

Since Benesse House has a lot to offer, planning a trip in the beginning can feel a little overwhelmed. We’re here to help with this – you need to know everything about accommodation in Bensese House Naoshima.

Where to Stay in Bensese House: Four Luxury Accommodation

As mentioned above, Bensese House offers four types of accommodation, each offering a different artistic and natural perspective.

Benesse House Museum

Benesse House Museum: Night at the Museum

As the name implies, This accommodation Located in the Benesse House Museum, you can live in art. Guests staying here have exclusive access to the gallery space at night, which gives them a rare opportunity to explore privacy.

All rooms offer stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea – in each room you will find works by artists in the museum’s collection, such as Sol Lewitt, cy twombly and Jennifer Bartlett. (The exact work may change.)

This accommodation is ideal for those who want to interact with the art in an intimate setting.

Benesse House Oval: Super proprietary, audible view

Perched on top of a hill and accessed only by private monorail Benesse House Oval Seamlessly blends Tadao Ando’s iconic minimalist architecture with the natural beauty of Naoshima. The building has a striking open-air reflecting the sky and creating a peaceful, meditative atmosphere in the center. Its elevated location offers stunning panoramic views of the interior of Sedo, making the sunrise and sunset particularly memorable. All-night guests are unique.

This accommodation offers an intimate and secluded experience in just six rooms. Just like the museum room, stay here and visit the Benesse House Museum after get off work. The newly opened oval lounge (also open only to oval guests) can relax and sophisticately, and feature books on art and architecture, as well as a continental breakfast and welcome drink service.

This accommodation is ideal for those looking for a super private, high-end experience with a focus on outstanding design.

One of the outdoor installations on the Benesse House venue: Kazuo Katase, “A cup of tea”

Benesse House Park: Warm, Invitation and Integration into Nature

Benesse House Park It offers relaxing and inviting accommodation surrounded by lush greenery and sky blue sea and sky. This is one of the more casual and natural-integrated accommodations in Bensese House Complex. It is also one of Tada Ando’s rare wooden buildings, distinguishing it from his usual concrete-based design.

Located near museums and other facilities, Park makes it easy to make outdoor art installations, allowing guests to experience sculptures and site-specific works while strolling the landscape. Many works of art are also exhibited throughout the hotel space.

This accommodation is ideal for those who want a leisurely and immersive experience and can easily make outdoor art and installations.

Benesse House Beach

Benesse House Beach: Amazing Suite

Located closest to the coastline Benesse House Beach The room has direct access to the sea, allowing guests to wake up to the sound of waves and an unparalleled sense of tranquility. Large windows and an open terrace invite natural light and sea breeze.

With its secluded location, Beach offers a more private and tranquil experience while still having easy access to museums and outdoor amenities. Please note that all rooms here are suite-style rooms.

This accommodation is ideal for those looking to relax in a peaceful seaside setting. Because all rooms are suites, it is especially suitable for families or friends groups.

At Benesse House Museum: Updated Exhibition in 2025

On February 6, 2025, Benesse House Museum launched a refreshing exhibition, which includes important works from its early European and American contemporary art collection. Notable works include Cy Twombly’s “Untitled” (1968), Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Gua-Gua” (1984) and Yves Klein’s “vénus Bleue” (1983), which glimpses the museum’s rich collection history.

The exhibition also highlights large works such as Frank Stella’s The Grand Armada (1989) and David Hockney’s “A walk around the hotel courtyard” (1985), and Jennifer Bartlett’s Fish and Bread (1989). In addition, visitors can encounter specific location works created by artists inspired by the nature and architecture of Naoshima, as well as archives recording the residence of artists on the island.

The exhibition is expected to open at the Naoshima New Art Museum in the Honmura district of the island, and they promise a variety and rich experiences that deepen visitors’ connections with Naoshima’s art and culture.

Additionally, selected rooms and shared spaces will be equipped with new art displays as part of the renovation of Bensese House Oval.

Other amenities at Bensese House: restaurants, cafes and new hotel lounges

Bensese House has two dedicated restaurants, a cafe and two lounges that are not open to the public.

The terrace restaurant is located near the park with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. It specializes in quality French cuisine. The museum restaurant Issen is located on the ground floor of Benesse House Museum. High Meals made with fresh Setouchi seafood, as well as breakfast and lunch options made with seasonal ingredients. As well as the Benesse House Museum Cafe on the second floor of its museum of the same name, you can find light bites and refreshments. Bagel Sandwichpasta and homemade lemonade.

There are also two lounges that can also be used for the house guests. The first is the luxurious lounge in the basement of Bensese House Park. This relaxing area is adjacent to the Sugimoto Gallery: The Time Corridor, which displays the space of the comprehensive work of influential artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. The second oval lounge is only open to guests staying in the oval.

Is it worth spending the night in Naoshima?

In a word, yes. While Naoshima can take a day trip, spending overnight at Bensese House provides a deeper and richer cultural experience. As day travelers leave, the island quiets down, allowing guests to fully absorb the atmosphere.

Next few hours later, wandering in the museum, riding in the outdoor installation under the changing light of dusk and dawn, reflecting on the harmony of art and nature without crowds, can take a profound and intimate way to appreciate the artistic meaning of Naoshima.

Benesse House Contact Information

Benesse House
Gotanji, Naoshima, Kawawa County, Chuanchuan 761-3110
T: +81 (0) 87-892-3223
Official website
Official Instagram
Contact form

More information: Plan your visit to Benesse House Naoshima

Here are some key points to remember when planning a trip:

• Book overnight accommodation in advance.
• Museums, ovals, parks and beach accommodation offer different experiences, but all have access to museums and other art installations.
• The island can be accessed from the Uno Port in Okayama and the Takamatsu port ferry in Takamatsu.
• Once you arrive at Naoshima, you can rent a bicycle, ride a bike, motorcycle or car to walk around; it is best to book in advance. Taxi service also provides public transport – including city buses and free shuttle buses. For more access information, see the Naoshima website.