A Picture Diary of Naoshima and Osaka

Naoshima

Naoshima might have been the biggest surprise of the year. I don’t know if it was what I loved the most, as I adored Kyoto, but it definitely exceeded so many expectations. Some of the photographic highlights of the day:

There are so many museums to see but my favorite had to be the Chichu Art museum. Please note that you need reservations to go in and it is KEY (i left it too late as my naoshima trip was a last minute addition and got lucky for a single 5pm ticket). There are no pictures allowed inside, but absolutely loved all the galleries. The Monet room is gorgeous as well as the interactive James Turrell and Walter De Maria

The Benesse House Museum is a lovely building, with the highlight being the gardens with the yellow pumpkin ( i do have to say I expected the gardens to be largers and have more stuff)

I think my second favorite was the combination of Lee Ufan Museum and The Valley Gallery. And if i had to rank Valley Gallery was my second favorite thing.

Art House project was super cute, but I did not spend that much time in it. Them, and the Ando House Museum is a quick walk

The hotel i stayed in, The Roka Ryokan, was so gorgeous. Very traditional but at the same time lux, comfortable and modern. The onsen in my room was amazing. Dinner is included and i had a great sushi course, pictures below here. Highly recommend if you go getting an appointment with the shiatsu guy there – absolutely incredible

Osaka

I was in Osaka for just one day and i think that’s the perfect amount of time. you can see it all and then use it as a launching point for some day trips like Naoshima and others. More time here is definitely not worth it, but its a good 24 hours of discovery. Here were some osaka Highlights:

Osaka Castle -It wa really beautiful. The exhibitions inside where ok, nothing amazing but lets your heart rate cool down in between flights of stairs (i have to give credit to the queen beyonce for dropping her album this day and giving me the soundtrack for all my stair climbing and touristing). And i really do recommend the stairs. The line for the elevator was insane where as if you walk up there is no line. Also buy your ticket in advance. I walked straight in and the ticket line was probably an hour long.