La Curación

For those seeking budget friendly accommodation in Naoshima, La Curacion offers just that. It's easily found by the instructions provided by the host - take the bus from the ferry terminal and you'll arrive there in 10 minutes. Be warned, the buses don't have very much luggage space (2 bags for the entire bus!) so if you can, leave some luggage in the lockers at the ferry terminal and take a small bag for your trip. The accommodation offers a small kitchen with everything you need, and a washing machine. Check in is late - 4pm. You can leave your bags with the hosts in the meantime, but we explored the island and its art spaces to get the most out of our day and returned at 6pm. I don't think our host was very impressed with that. Communication was not easy. There is a wonderful Okonomiyaki restaurant (also serving other dishes) across the street. Bicycles are provided by the hosts, but these are fixed speed. If you really want to explore the island, you'll need electric bicycles (unless you are super fit!) because there are big hills where the main galleries are located. Small hills to the main town are achievable. There you can find many restaurants as well as the Ando Museum and the many Art Space Projects, and the bicycle rental shop - another bike rental is at the ferry terminal. From the accommodation, if you head in the opposite direction, I'd recommend walking. La Curacion is actually well situated closer to the main galleries of Benesse, Chi Chu, and Lee Ufan. You'll walk through a lovely neighbourhood of classic Japanese residential architecture complete with resplendent gardens, past a small dam full of curious koi and turtles, and eventually enter the Benesse project sculpture garden. From there, wind your way up to the main gallery and then the other two. Some may not appreciate the artwork, but the spaces are spectacular and the whole project is wonderful.