The Setouchi Triennale: A Guide to Japan’s World-Class Art Festival
The Setouchi Triennale is a globally renowned contemporary art festival held every three years across a dozen islands and coastal cities in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea.
It transforms quiet islands, once struggling with depopulation, into vibrant canvases of art, architecture, and nature. Unlike a typical museum exhibition, the Triennale offers an immersive journey, where art is not just seen, but experienced as part of the breathtaking island landscape, rich local history, and warm community life.
This year’s festival is an especially significant one, as the Autumn Session, beginning this October, marks its final period. This is your last chance to experience the full magic of the 2025 Triennale, where art and nature converge to tell a powerful story of rejuvenation. This guide will focus on the heart of the festival: Naoshima, the “Art Island,” helping you navigate this incredible event and plan a truly unforgettable trip.
What is the Setouchi Triennale?
The festival’s core concept is “restoration of the sea,” aiming to rejuvenate the island communities by reconnecting them with their unique cultural and natural heritage through the power of art.
Held over three seasons—Spring, Summer, and Autumn—the Triennale presents over 200 art projects. Some are permanent installations by world-famous artists like Yayoi Kusama and James Turrell, while others are temporary works created specifically for the festival. The beauty lies in the fusion of these modern works with the islands’ traditional architecture, terraced rice fields, and serene ocean views.
Navigating Naoshima: The Art Island’s Must-Sees
Naoshima serves as the perfect gateway to the Triennale. It’s home to a unique collection of world-class art museums and outdoor installations, many of which are part of the permanent Benesse Art Site Naoshima project.
1. The Art of Nature: Chichu Art Museum
This is not just a museum; it’s an architectural and sensory masterpiece. Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, the museum is built almost entirely underground to avoid impacting the island’s natural scenery. You won’t find a map here—the journey through its minimalist concrete hallways, guided by shafts of natural light, is part of the experience.
Inside, the works of Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria are presented in a way that changes with the time of day and the seasons. Monet’s Water Lilies, for example, are viewed in a pristine white room with only natural light, making the paintings feel alive and dynamic.
- Tip for your trip: The Chichu Art Museum is incredibly popular and requires advance online booking with a time slot reservation. During the Triennale’s final session, tickets will be in even higher demand. Secure your tickets first to ensure you don’t miss this experience.
2. Reclaiming History: The Art House Project
Located in Naoshima’s Honmura district, the Art House Project is a series of abandoned houses, temples, and workshops that have been transformed into art installations. Each house tells a different story, blending modern art with the traditional charm of the old Japanese village.
- Minamidera: Also designed by Tadao Ando, this piece by James Turrell plays with light and darkness in a way that is profoundly moving. It requires a separate reservation to enter.
- Go’o Shrine: A glass staircase connects a modern interpretation of a traditional Shinto shrine with an underground stone chamber, symbolizing the link between the past and present.
3. The Iconic Outdoors: Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkins
No trip to Naoshima is complete without seeing Yayoi Kusama’s iconic pumpkin sculptures. The bright red pumpkin at Miyanoura Port is a welcoming sight for every visitor, while the yellow pumpkin, a permanent fixture near the Benesse House Museum, sits on a pier overlooking the sea—a perfect spot for a photo.
Beyond Naoshima: Exploring the Setouchi Islands
While Naoshima is a perfect starting point, the magic of the Triennale extends to other islands, each with its own unique personality and art installations.
Teshima: The Island of Senses
Just a short ferry ride from Naoshima, Teshima is home to the stunning Teshima Art Museum. The museum itself is a single, shell-like structure, a collaboration between artist Rei Naito and architect Ryue Nishizawa.
Inside, water trickles through two openings in the ceiling, pooling on the concrete floor and moving with a life of its own. It’s an art piece that asks you to slow down, observe, and feel.
Inujima: The Island of Remnants
Inujima, a former copper refinery island, has been revitalized with the Inujima Art House Project. The old refinery, a haunting industrial ruin, has been transformed into a museum, harmonizing with the surrounding nature and the art of Yukinori Yanagi.
The art here is a poignant reflection on the island’s industrial past and its return to nature.
Practical Tips for Your Triennale Journey
- Get a Triennale Passport: This pass is a must-have for festival-goers. It grants you a single admission to many of the festival’s art sites. While it doesn’t cover all museums (like the Chichu Art Museum), it will save you money on most of the temporary works and some of the permanent installations.
- Plan Ahead: As the final session of the Triennale, this fall is an incredibly popular time to visit. It’s essential to book your accommodations and tickets for major museums well in advance.
- Consider Transportation: Island-hopping is a key part of the experience. Ferries and local buses are the main modes of transport. You can also rent electric-assist bicycles on Naoshima and Teshima for a flexible way to explore.
The Setouchi Triennale is more than just an art festival; it’s a journey into the soul of Japan’s Inland Sea. As the final session begins, this is your last chance to witness this powerful display of how art, when integrated with nature and community, can breathe new life into a place and offer a truly unforgettable experience.
Conclusion
The Setouchi Triennale is more than just an art festival; it’s a journey into the soul of Japan’s Inland Sea. It’s a powerful reminder of how art, when integrated with nature and community, can breathe new life into a place and offer a truly unforgettable experience.
As the final session begins, this is your last chance to witness this powerful display. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this unique blend of art, nature, and island life. It’s a trip that will not only show you a different side of Japan but also leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
About Our Tour called “Finding Naoshima Tour”
We also offer guided tours of Naoshima called “Finding Naoshima Tour”, a private tour service led by locals born and raised on Naoshima.
With deep roots in the island, we share Naoshima’s unique history, rich culture, and breathtaking scenery from a local perspective.
Whether it’s hidden photo spots, stories behind the artworks, or the charm of island life, we guide you through it all.
Each tour is fully private, allowing for a personalized and relaxed experience at your own pace.
Let us show you the real Naoshima—beyond the museums and into its heart.