Yellow Pumpkin & Red Pumpkin: Where to Find Them and How to Photograph Them
Naoshima’s two Yayoi Kusama pumpkin sculptures are some of the most photographed spots on the island, and for good reason — but knowing where they actually are, and when to go, makes a real difference in the photo you come home with. This is a practical companion to our fuller story behind the pumpkins — here, we’re focused purely on getting there and getting the shot.
Red Pumpkin: Miyanoura Port
Red Pumpkin sits right at Miyanoura Port, so if you’re arriving by ferry, it’s one of the first things you’ll see — and one of the easiest to photograph, since it’s in an open public area with no ticket or reservation required.
Finding Naoshima Note: Ferries tend to arrive in clusters, so the moments right after a boat docks are when Red Pumpkin sees the most foot traffic. If you can, circle back later in the day — even 20–30 minutes after a wave of arrivals has moved on makes it easier to get a clean shot without a crowd of fellow travelers in frame.
Yellow Pumpkin: Near Benesse House
Yellow Pumpkin sits at the end of a pier near Benesse House, on the opposite side of the island from Miyanoura. It was installed in 1994 and has become one of the most recognizable images associated with Naoshima.
Finding Naoshima Note: Access details around the Benesse House area can shift, so it’s worth confirming current access with Benesse House Museum’s own information or the official Benesse Art Site before you plan your day around it, rather than assuming it works the same way every visit.
Getting a Better Photo
Neither location has posted “best photo times” — this is standard outdoor photography logic, not anything specific to Naoshima:
- Early morning or late afternoon light tends to be softer and more flattering than the harsh overhead light of midday, especially for a subject with as much color and texture as these sculptures.
- Overcast days can actually work in your favor here — flat light reduces the harsh shadows that bright midday sun casts across the polka-dot pattern.
- Patience beats rushing. Both pumpkins are popular enough that getting a people-free frame usually just means waiting a minute or two rather than needing a secret trick.
Planning Both Into Your Day
Because Red Pumpkin and Yellow Pumpkin sit on opposite sides of the island, photographing both in one visit takes a bit of route planning — ideally bookending your day, since Red Pumpkin is naturally where you start (arriving at Miyanoura) and Yellow Pumpkin fits well alongside a Benesse House Museum visit later on. If you’re also fitting in one or more of the island’s ticketed museums, our guide to how many days you need can help you figure out whether both pumpkins comfortably fit into a single day or are better split across two.
Experience Naoshima with Finding Naoshima
Navigating ferry docks and bus connections is just the first step of your island adventure. At Finding Naoshima, we help international travelers unlock the deepest cultural stories, architectural wonders, and hidden culinary gems across the Seto Inland Sea.
Whether you need private guided tours, customized itineraries, or recommendations for local seaside dining, explore our full suite of digital guides at Finding Naoshima to plan your trip!