Benesse House

Location: Kyoto, Southern Honshu & Kyushu | Japan

Price guide: £££££ £350-£500 per person per night

Half hotel, half museum, Benesse House is a remarkable property designed by the renowned architect Tadao Ando. Part of a project which spans the islands of Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima, the hotel is spread across uniquely designed buildings, one of which is also the main art museum, and the rooms are correspondingly stylish and modern.
Perfect forExploring the numerous art museums and projects of Naoshima island.
In the know
  • Unique art museum/hotel
  • Designed by prominent Japanese architect Tadao Ando
  • Traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine

Recommended for...

  • Chic Design
  • Cultural Immersion
  • Beach
  • Boutique Hotel

Hotel Overview

Sense of place

Modern art is very much the order of the day here, and as well as the dedicated exhibition spaces, works by the likes of Andy Warhol and Gerhard Richter adorn the corridors and the walls of the restaurants. That said, the design also makes the most of the hotel’s beautiful natural surroundings, and stunning views over the Inland Sea can be enjoyed, from the Oval rooms in particular.

Rooms at Benesse House

Accommodation is split across the hotel’s four wings: Museum, Oval, Park and Beach. In Museum, rooms are adorned by artworks from the hotel’s collection, and rooms have large floor-to-ceiling windows which look out over the Inland Sea. Rooms in the exclusive Oval wing, accessible by monorail, have the highest vantage point, while back down at sea level, the Park and Beach rooms are constructed from organic wood and have lovely views of the ocean.

Food and drink

Benesse House is home to a range of eating and drinking options. At Terrace Restaurant, buffet-style breakfasts and a French dinner menu are offered overlooking the Inland Sea, while at Issen in the Museum, kaiseki cuisine is served up based on fresh Setouchi seafood. The Oval Lounge, open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, is a beautiful place to relax with a cocktail. All have modern artworks on the walls, including pieces by Andy Warhol and Gerhard Richter.

Facilities

The second floor of the Benesse House Museum has a library where guests are free to view drawings by Tadao Ando, the acclaimed architect who designed this extraordinary hotel. There is also a shop where you can buy books telling the story of the museum and hotel as well as art pieces and souvenirs, and a café where you can enjoy a light meal or drink while taking in views of the ocean.

Activities at Benesse House

Benesse House is as much an art gallery as it is a hotel, with its exhibition spaces devoted to the display of contemporary art including works by Richard Long, Kan Yasuda and Hiroshi Sugimoto. Chichu Art Museum is an artwork in itself, carved from the earth below ground level, and contains iconic pieces including five from Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series. The Lee Ufan Museum houses paintings and sculptures by the Korean artist of the same name, and the Art House Project takes empty houses scattered throughout the island and converts them into art spaces.

Best time to go

Best time to travel

Good time to travel (but some limitations)

Travel is possible (but it’s not the best time)

Travel is not recommended

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Best time to go

Hotel location

Benesse House is on the southern tip of Naoshima Island, around 15 minutes’ drive from Miyanoura Port.

Stay at Benesse House on these trips

More places to stay in Kyoto, Southern Honshu & Kyushu

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