For years, Naoshima was one of those places people spoke about quietly, as if trying not to spoil the secret. The small island in Japan's Setouchi region is a place where contemporary art meets the slow rhythm of island life, but the secret is now well and truly out. Conde Nast Traveler recently named Naoshima one of the best places to visit in Asia for 2026, and the island's profile is rapidly growing.
What was once a cluster of fishing villages has become a living gallery. Art appears in unexpected corners, including inside old bathhouses, along forest trails, and in repurposed schools. The Naoshima New Museum of Art (designed by architectural icon Tadao Ando) opened earlier this year and has already become a major attraction. The minimalist, partly underground space features works by the likes of Takashi Murakami and Cai Guo-Qiang, exploring themes of Asian futurism and Japanese cosmology. It marks Ando's tenth project for the Benesse Art Site Naoshima, the initiative that transformed this small island into a global model for art-driven regional revitalization.
Naoshima also played a central role in the Setouchi Triennale, which returned this year and drew visitors from around the world. While that major event has now all but wrapped up, 2026 remains an ideal time to visit. The island's museums, installations, and quiet seaside paths continue to offer plenty to explore, with a calmer atmosphere once the festival crowds have moved on.
It's not just Conde Nast that have taken notice, either. The BBC featured Naoshima among its 25 Best Places to Travel in 2025, and Lonely Planet ranked it among Japan's top destinations for the same year. Clearly, this once under-the-radar gem is having a well-deserved moment, so go ahead and plan a visit while it still retains its quiet charm.
