Naoshima Winter 2027: Chichu Closed Jan 12–Mar 19
If you are planning Naoshima between December 2026 and March 2027, check the closure dates first.
The Chichu Art Museum is closed from January 12 to March 19, 2027. Most other Benesse Art Site museums close for one week, January 12 to 18. Teshima and Inujima also run reduced winter schedules. Everything below comes from Benesse Art Site’s official notices, checked on 5 November 2026.
The Short Version
| Period | What to know |
|---|---|
| Nov 24 – Dec 12, 2026 | Naoshima New Museum of Art is closed for an exhibit change |
| Dec 1 – end of Feb | Teshima art facilities closed Tuesdays to Thursdays; Inujima art facilities closed for the winter |
| Jan 12 – 18, 2027 | Most Naoshima museums, the Benesse House hotel and most Art House Projects are closed |
| Jan 12 – Mar 19, 2027 | Chichu Art Museum closed |
If you have a fixed travel date in this window, read the table below before you book ferries or rooms.
Naoshima: Official Closure Dates, Winter 2026–27
The yearly maintenance notice (published 30 June 2026) lists these closures:
| Facility | Closed |
|---|---|
| Chichu Art Museum | January 12 – March 19, 2027 |
| Naoshima New Museum of Art | January 12 – 18, 2027 (also Nov 24 – Dec 12, 2026) |
| Lee Ufan Museum | January 12 – 18, 2027 |
| ANDO MUSEUM | January 12 – 18, 2027 |
| Benesse House Museum (including Valley Gallery) | January 12 – 18, 2027 |
| Benesse House hotel | January 12 – 18, 2027 |
| Art House Project (most houses) | January 12 – 18, 2027 |
| Art House Project “Haisha” | January 12 – February 22, 2027 |
| Art House Project “Kinza” | October 13, 2026 – January 20, 2027 |
| Naoshima Bath “I♥湯” | January 12 – 25, 2027 |
| Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors | January 12 – 18, 2027 |
The notice also says that all outdoor artworks at Benesse House Museum, including Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin, will be temporarily unavailable for viewing. It sits in the Benesse House Museum entry alongside the January 12–18 dates, so check the official calendar if the Yellow Pumpkin is on your list.
Finding Naoshima Note: The Chichu closure is the one that catches people out. It lasts more than two months, and Chichu is the museum many first-timers build their whole trip around. If it is your priority, plan for November, December, or after March 19.
Benesse House Restaurant and Beach Wing
For hotel guests, the Terrace Restaurant and Benesse House Beach (the hotel’s beach-side guest wing) are closed from January 4 to March 4, 2027. Breakfast is served until January 4, and the Terrace Restaurant reopens from lunch on March 5. During this time, guests can use the Museum Restaurant Issen and Museum Cafe (breakfast and dinner) and Setomae Sushi Nagi (dinner). The notice says the schedule may change.
Teshima and Inujima in Winter
Both islands are on a reduced schedule from December 1 to the last day of February.
- Teshima Art Museum, Les Archives du Coeur, La forêt des murmures and Teshima Yokoo House: open as usual on the days they are open, but closed Tuesdays to Thursdays during this period. Winter hours at Teshima Art Museum are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., last admission 3:30 p.m. See our Teshima Art Museum ticket guide.
- Needle factory (Teshima): closed December 1 to the last day of February.
- Inujima art facilities: closed for the winter from December to February.
The ferry that connects Miyanoura, Ieura (Teshima) and Inujima also changes in winter. From December 1 to the end of February the Shikoku Kisen route runs Mondays, Fridays to Sundays and holidays, and the boat will not call at an island whose art museum is closed that day. If you are planning to island-hop, our Inujima guide covers the crossing.
Finding Naoshima Note: In winter, choose your Teshima day first, then plan Naoshima around it. Teshima is closed Tuesday to Thursday, so a Monday or Friday to Sunday works. Because ferry days are limited, confirm the day’s sailing before you commit.
Also Closed This Winter
- Setouchi “Archive” / Miyanoura Gallery 6: closed December 1 to the last day of February (the notice points to the Open Days Calendar for March).
- Ring of Fire (Solar Yang & Lunar Weerasethakul): closed January 11 to 21, 2027.
- Lee Ufan Museum, December 19, 2026: the official calendar page lists a closure notice for this single day, so check the calendar if you plan to visit then.
- Art House Project “Kinza”: the maintenance notice says closed until January 20, 2027, while a calendar notice title says January 1, 2027. If Kinza matters to you, check the calendar for the current date.
- The Naoshima Plan “The Water”: listed as closed, with no dates given.
What About Year-End and New Year?
The notices we read do not state year-end or New Year (around December 29 to January 3) opening hours. Do not assume the usual schedule applies. Before you go, check the official Open Days Calendar for the exact days. Our guide to Naoshima on Mondays explains how the regular weekly closure works, and holidays can move it.
The Best Windows to Visit
Based on the official dates, these are the clearest windows:
- Late November (before the New Museum closes on the 24th) and December 12 onward: almost everything on Naoshima is open. Chichu, Benesse House and Lee Ufan are all running. Check the New Museum dates in our closure guide.
- January 19 to March 19: most museums are open again, but Chichu is not, and Teshima is Friday to Monday only.
- After March 19: the full set is back, and Teshima returns to a Tuesday-only closure from March 1.
Winter days are short, and Teshima Art Museum, for one, closes at 4:00 p.m. from October to February, so a tightly timed day matters more than in summer. See our season-by-season guide for weather and crowds.
Before You Book
- Pick your dates against the table above.
- Check the official calendar for the exact day, including holidays.
- Book timed tickets early. Chichu tickets go on sale at 10:00 on the 5th of each month for the month two months ahead (see our Chichu ticket guide). That rule is moot while Chichu is closed, so check the date range before you try to book.
- Keep a backup. The Art House Project and the museum days that remain open make good alternates.
FAQ
Is Naoshima worth visiting in winter? Yes, if your dates avoid the closures above. Crowds are lighter, but daylight is short and some facilities close, so plan around the calendar.
When does Chichu Art Museum reopen? The official notice lists the closure as January 12 to March 19, 2027. Check the calendar for the reopening day.
Is Teshima open in winter? Teshima Art Museum is open, but closed Tuesdays to Thursdays from December 1 to the end of February.
Is Inujima open in winter? No. The notice says Inujima’s art facilities are closed for the winter from December to February.
Dates checked against the Benesse Art Site notices of 30 June and 6 July 2026 on 5 November 2026. Schedules can change, so confirm on the official calendar before you travel.