A Night at a Museum: Benesse House

Originally written on December 22, 2005 PM

I made it from Okayama to Uno. Now I am on the ferry to Naoshima. [shima = island in JPN]. For the first time I understand that, yes, Japan is an archipelago. The sun is setting as the noisy ferry beats a path through icy waters toward the tiny island which is my final destination for today.


Last Christmas, I spent in Texas with my whole family. I puddle-hopped from Tokyo to LA to Dallas/Ft Worth, then San Fran and back. And was able to reconnect with friends and family all along the way. This year I have opted for a quieter (read less expensive) tour of museums around Japan.

My first stop over is at the Tadao Ando-designed Benesse Hotel. Ando is one of Japan’s most famous contemporary architects. In fact, last year, I went to his recently completed Modern Art Museum of Ft. Worth with mother, my brother, niece and nephew. This hotel hosts a nice collection of contemporary art and the public areas function as a museum. Basically, I am spending the first night of my trip in a museum.

For more info on Benesse House see Time Magazine's Photo Essay