Naoshima's cat cafe

Here's one of the latest additions to Naoshima fun: a cat cafe Nyao-shima (in Japan cats go nyao instead of meow). You can drink something and in a separate room can play with the cats.

The Oval Wing of the Benesse House

The green panels are doors to each room.

Here are some photos of the Oval Wing at the Benesse House in Naoshima. Only overnight guests are allowed to come this far. The location is fantastic and the suite room is artistic though the wing was built in 1994 and the facilities were not latest. 

It stands on the hill and full of nature. wild plants grow on the rooftop garden and colorful caterpillars are casually seen on the exterior walls or floors. 

The suite room looks like this. All Benesse House rooms are adorned with artworks, and so is the Oval suite.

Must be good for special occasions.

Oval suite

Chichu Cafe invites you to the Inland Sea

All people went outside @ Chichu Cafe

The Chichu Art Museum designed by ANDO Tadao barely stands up above the ground. Most of the construction is buried in the ground and you practically do not see the exterior of the museum. But that enabled the long slit made between the concrete mass above and the one below. The long slit bending at one point is void without any support. 

The excitement of the museum visit will be boosted by dropping by Chichu Cafe where the scenery outside will make you refreshed. 

Just like in this photo, visitors feel like going outside and chill. 

View from the Museum Wing of Benesse House

Time exposed by SUGIMOTO

Here's a photo taken from a room on the 2nd floor of the Museum Wing, Benesse House, Naoshima. 

From the balcony are seen Time Exposed, a series of monochrome photos of the horizon taken at many locations of the world by SUGIMOTO Hiroshi. Beyond the artwork lies the Inland Sea, dotted with countless islands and islets (though someone in charge counted and in fact there are 727 islands with their circumferences 100 meters or longer; about 3000 if the smaller ones are included).

Two of my fellow guides and I shared the room. Very pleasant. The room was comfortably large and we didn't feel we were too close. But one of the beds was simpler and smaller, being brought into the room to accommodate three of us.

The Benesse House is located on an island. Do not expect the convenience you appreciate at hotels in big cities. But the island has a lot to offer which you cannot experience in Tokyo, Osaka, or even in Kyoto.

The Inland Sea is only here and this collaboration of nature, art, and architecture is specific only at this site. The island let you experience more than convenient wi-fi system you usually would like to have.

However, don't despair. I did log on to the Net while staying there, not in my room but in the public space where the system was available. Due to some complications, it took some time for me to finally log on to the system but the staffer was kind and caring. 

After all another memory at Naoshima was added and I'm happy.

Monorail at Benesse House

Monorail at Benesse House

This monorail is only accessible to the guests who stay overnight at the Benesse House accommodations comprising four wings. 

First, the Museum wing was built in 1992, followed by the Oval, then the Beach and Park wings. All were designed by ANDO Tadao, a Pritzker Architecture Prize winner who was also in charge for the Chichu Art Museum built in 2004 and Lee Ufan Museum in 2010 both located on Naoshima Island.

If you choose a room at the Museum wing, you are practically staying in a contemporary museum. In addition, your room is also spiced up with a few artworks.

Staying in the Oval wing gives you a new and memorable experience. Going up there by monorail is already a bit of excitement. The Oval wing is on the top of the hill but it does not rise high; rather it appears to be part of the terrain and surroundings.

The Park is my favorite and affordable among the four. It stands in the "park" adorned with artworks. The veranda of the room provides you with a lovely view of the park hosting dreamy artworks including George Ricky's kinetic piece placed close to this wing.

The Beach stands almost on the beach and the sound of waves can be constantly heard once its windows are open.

The photo is the monorail running between the Museum and the Oval. It's a thrilling approach to one different type of accommodation where you should slow down and watch sunset on the horizon.  

What's Hiroshima Andersen

The memorial plaque in front of Hiroshima Andersen

This is one inspiring story of a former bank building transformed into Hiroshima's popular bakery and restaurant located in the shopping arcade called Hon Dori (meaning "main street").


The building, originally built in 1925 as a bank in the center of the city and only 360 meters away from Ground Zero, looked dismal right after the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945 but still stood and housed the same bank again in 1950 after being repaired for operation. Later other banks possessed the property until the ownership was handed to a bakery which is now called Hiroshima Andersen.  


The owner, Mr. Takaki, traveled in Europe for two months to expand the knowledge useful for his business in 1959. When in Copenhagen, Denmark, he, for the first time, ate Danish Pastry at breakfast. He loved it so much that he got determined to sell it in Japan. Later in 1962, the first pastry in Japan was made and sold by him. Which made his bakery famous and successful. 


In 1967, Mr. and Mrs. Takaki went to Europe while wondering if the former bank building they purchased should be used or rebuilt. In Rome, they got an inspiration: they witnessed an old grand historical building refurbished and used by a leading confectioner. The archaic building, infused with modern ideas, looked lively. They made up their mind that their old estate be used and made into a store with North European ambiance.


The Hon Dori shopping arcade is where you will feel everyday Hiroshima. Locals come here for shopping and dining. Try Hon Dori and experience the city.

Calla at Shukkeien Japanese garden

Calla: They grow near the water.

This is a lovely garden. Though small in area, it feels much larger than it really is due to clever techniques of Japanese garden making. Different flowers are in bloom in different times of the year, giving you a chance to sense seasonal transitions. You will feel life goes on as seasons come around. 


In May this year, not many flowers are seen but the ones in the photo looked pretty and unassuming. According to a fellow guide who loves plants, they seem to be called Calla belonging to Araceae.


The garden sometimes hosts tea ceremonies. The one especially enjoyable is held at the beginning of May every year. Young girl students are in charge of picking new tea leaves growing at a small tea field in the garden. The leaves are steamed, kneaded and made into tea. 


Once something similar was conducted by the Asano family who governed Hiroshima during the Edo period when the Tokugawa Shoguns were the central authorities. 


Some years back, the practice was restored and appreciated by garden visitors and photographers.