Teshima Art Museum
Teshima Art Museum
4.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
See what travelers are saying
  • Sherpa42847083920
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Unique and very special experience
    highly recommended. unique experience. get your entry ticket on line in advance and then take your time, dont rush. i can honestly say i've never come across anything quite like it (in a positive way)
    Visited March 2023
    Written April 9, 2023
  • Tom H
    Santa Cruz, California383 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Teshima Art Museum and Surroundings
    We took the fast ferry from Port Uno to Karato Port, Teshima Island, to see the museum. There is a local bus but we chose to walk instead and wound our way uphill to the museum which sits amidst some tea terraces overlooking the beautiful island and bay below. You must have reservations for the timed entrances so plan ahead and obtain it before venturing out this far. The museum is a huge oval concrete floor with a concrete ceiling in the shape of a drop of water which is open to the sky to two places. In dozens of locations along the concrete floor of the museum, water bubbles up through tubes to create little rivulets of water that join with others to create mini-lakes at the low points. It is captivating as the rivers appear, spread out and shrink back. We had a nice snack at the gift shop then hiked up to the Forest of Murmmers (excellent) then had lunch at the Shima Kitchen, which was itself an art piece as well as serving amazing food. This is a beautiful island so take the time to walk or bike above the museum to enjoy it.
    Visited April 2023
    Written May 17, 2023
  • liz
    32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don't miss this unique experience
    I loved this museum. The rivulets of water running along the floor and the pools caught by the light were mesmerising. People were transfixed by it. A simple concept but so involving. This is a must see on Teshima. I was glad you couldn't take photos inside as it would have ruined the atmosphere.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 29, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles312 reviews
Excellent
247
Very good
44
Average
8
Poor
6
Terrible
7

K.H.Cho
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
I could not visit Teshima Art Musuem because I could not take boat to Teshima Island from Naoshima Island. The boat crew protect me taking a boat. They said the seat is already full. Only 3 small boats a day and no seat reservation system. Therefore, I can not know if I can take a boat or not until last time. I claimed this problem to boat Company and Tour Office if they have any plan to fix this problem. But they did not care at all. They consider it as just visitor's personal luck.
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sherpa42847083920
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
highly recommended. unique experience. get your entry ticket on line in advance and then take your time, dont rush. i can honestly say i've never come across anything quite like it (in a positive way)
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravellingAsia2013
Amsterdam, The Netherlands86 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Seriously, this place is a scam. I truly cannot understand what everybody else here is raving about.

This "museum" consists of 1 concrete space, with two openings in the ceiling, and a few fountains in the floor from where waterdrops continuously spring. As is the case with waterdrops on smooth concrete like this, the drops glide across the floor in a pearl-like way, before they gather as a pool. Intricate as the patterns that form may be, it's still water on concrete, nothing more. Quite a soothing sight, some may even find it mesmerizing, but certainly nothing extraordinary or new. The architecture of the space is quite nice as well, but again, nothing special.

In my opinion this is certainly not worth coming all the way to Teshima for (2.560 yen return from Takamatsu) and it is definitely not worth the hefty entrance fee (they make you pay 1.500 yen for this). Yes, the surroundings are beautiful and there is a peaceful atmosphere, but you can get an experience of being close to the beautiful nature by walking or biking on any one of the islands in the Setouchi Sea for free. For me this was just a complete waste of time and money.
Written November 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yves T
New York City, NY19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Family
This museum is very conceptual, with the philosophic concept from the Japanese zen, the white washed building's height and curve merged perfectly into the terrain. The sea, the trees and the rice terrace forms a perfect backdrop for the museum, and is indeed a soothing view to spend some time with. The museum is known for "not having any art collection". The curator, collaborating with the architect, creates a ethereal space, where water drops ooze out from the tiny apertures on the cement ground, roll freely on the spacious area before converge into a larger water body. Ribbons were tied on the skylight, allowing the viewers to observe the existence and the movement of the wind. Sunlight (and raindrops in some case) penetrates through the skylight, illuminates the white and clear space. Sitting here, pensively pondering on the existence and non-existence of everything is a wholesome break for your heart to the hassle of travel and the bustle of life, and can definitely enlighten you with some great philosophic thoughts, which and energize you mentally and physically.
Written February 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jae's Wanderlust
Seoul, South Korea512 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Friends
It's a pity visitors aren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum.
Or even with pictures, one can't depict the extraordinary experience of the breathtaking space harmonizing the structure with the wind, water drops, open sky, the whole nature..
You won't be able to experience anything like this at any other places.
Every hardship, making the boat time to Teshima, riding up on twisty hills on an overpriced rental electric bicycle (JPY 1,000), sweating like a dog under the blazing sun..
All those goes away in a snap as you're stepping into the museum, cleverly designed and developed by Pritzker prize winning architect Ryue Nishizawa and artist Rei Naoto.
It feels like you're on a different dimension or on a different planet..
You can lie down and can even take a nap feeling and enjoying the delicate blowing of wind and continuously moving and accumulating water droplets, surrounded by ambient and organic space shaped like inside of water drop, with two oval openings showing the blue sky and surrounding nature letting the lights, smells, and sounds in..
It's somehow like the opposite of Pantheon in Rome in a way.
You can really feel the strange serenity only when you're actually there..

1. if you're departing from Uno port (Okayama side), there is only one high speed boat service to Teshima 豊島 departing 8 times a day (JPY 770 to Ieura 家浦, JPY 1,030 to Karato 唐櫃 http://setouchi-artfest.jp/en/access/islands#r6

2. Ticket kiosk at the actual port for high speed ferries opens at 30 minutes before each departure, so you need to buy tickets at the ferry terminal which can be somewhat tricky to find; look for 豊島 sign. And there's no free parking space that you may need to park at the 産業振興ビル right across the port for JPY 1,000 for a day.

3. You need to choose one of the ports in Teshima based on your plan and transportation inside Teshima. For Teshima Art Museum.
You can travel to Karato port and walk 10~15 minutes or use the bus which runs roughly every hour or so;
http://www.town.tonosho.kagawa.jp/tns/dwn.php?id=638&num=1,

4. Or it can be better to disembark at Ieura port and rent an electric bicycle (JPY 1,000 for the base 4 hours) riding on the hilly road for 25~35 minutes to the museum, especially if you're planning to move on to Naoshima the same day as the only 2 times a day high speed ships to Miyano Mura port at Naoshima (JPY 620) departs at Ieura port only (No reservations accepted); http://www.shikokukisen.com/instant

Good luck and enjoy!
Written July 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

karusuper
Singapore, Singapore29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2015 • Couples
Teshima art museum is actually an installation work that is situated in the hills of Teshima island. Not wanting to spoil the experience for you, all I will say is that Teshima is a must go for those picking between the art islands of the seto sea.

Advice:

1) Take an electric bicycle (plenty available for rent at the ferry stop). The hills are a plenty but no problem once you get use the initial acceleration. The ride up and down was lovely and allowed you to interact with the landscape. Travel lightly however, and wear something suitable for a ride! It took about 45min (with frequent stopping) to get to the art museum. Heartbeat museum is about an hour away

2) A bit on bikes.. For those who have not ridden for a while, my own experience (not really a bike person, have not ridden for 2 years, and never really on roads) was that it was pleasant and manageable.

3) Food is available but not plentiful (there was an excellent strawberry themed shop in the main ferry stop town). Do pack some food and water!

4) The other stuff on the island is great too (heartbeats)
Written December 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dreddlox
New York City, NY49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Friends
Over the last half century or so of travel, I have seen some incredibly inspiring art, but I was not prepared for the deceptively simple installation - Matrix - by Rei Naito, housed in this incredible structure by Ryue Nishizawa. It had the kind of emotional effect one can only hope of experiencing in a Zen garden, and it did not require years of meditation. It would be tedious to try and put this into words: a visit is absolutely necessary if you are anywhere near this magical place. Just go.

A trip to Teshima is often overlooked by those visiting nearby Naoshima in a hurry, because unless you book a private boat in advance, it can require coordination between ferry and transport to the museum from the other side of the island. Shuttles are not conveniently timed so layover times can fritter away the day. Bikes with small electric motors are available but can often be booked out if not reserved in advance. Scooters are an option but require a valid international driver's license.
Written January 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thomas K
Taipei, Taiwan240 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Family
Designed by architect Ryue Nishizawa (西沢 立衛)and artist Rei Naito(内藤 礼), the Teshima Art Museum opened in 2010 when the first Setouchi Triennale was held. The museum without any collections, barring the emerging droplets from underground freely shifting on the floor, and the thin strings flying upon the elliptical opening on the roof, is an artwork by itself.

Inside this 40 by 60 meters museum, you can walk yourself around, sit down on the floor or lie down on the floor. By any means, just let yourself immerse into the fantastical atmosphere and let your aesthetic palette indulge in this amazing art symposium.

It is one of my most memorable experiences in art for sure.

Just free your mind inside the Teshima Art Museum.
Written July 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amos B
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Family
One of the most impressive things we have seen during our visit to Japan. This is a must see! The serenity inside this installation is absolutely amazing. Totally worth the trip. The island itself and the ferry ride are also spectacular.
Written July 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

luckyrabbit1113
Houston, TX45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Friends
If you are in the area, you should visit Teshima Art Museum. Though it's not really a museum and more of a single structure, the space presents many objects and movements to contemplate. Beads of water, balls, and streamers all move according to the wind, the shape of the floor, and (usually accidental) human contact. My friend and I unknowingly spent an hour inside just observing and experiencing the space. This museum was definitely my favorite of the weekend (on Naoshima and Teshima). Get there early if you're there during the art festival to pick up a timed ticket, so you can buy tickets later. We saw a lot of people turned away, and I can't even imagine how disappointed I would be to not be able to visit the museum!
Written October 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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