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Naoshima: Japan’s island of art
Naoshima, a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea (Kagawa Prefecture), is today synonymous with contemporary art and bold architecture. Once a quiet fishing community, it has been transformed into a cultural pilgrimage site, home to museums designed by Tadao Ando and outdoor works by world-renowned artists. Yayoi Kusama’s iconic polka-dotted pumpkins, set against sea and sky, have become its unofficial symbols—art and nature merging into one. A Day of Museum-Hopping in Naoshima I devoted a full day to exploring Naoshima’s museums, traveling mostly on foot between sites. Bicycles are a popular option, but note they aren’t permitted within parts of the Benesse Art Site, which can make them impractical…
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Japan trip: Osaka, Nara, Himeji and Koyasan
Earlier this year, I finally visited Japan, a country I’ve been fascinated with for as long as I can remember. My first time in Japan was for 3 weeks, during which I visited 12 of the 48 prefectures. In this post, I’m going to share details on Osaka, as well as nearby Nara, Himeji and Koyasan. Osaka is known for its friendly locals and lively atmosphere. But Japan’s third-largest city, is also famous for its street food, particularly takoyaki and okonomiyaki, earning it the nickname “Japan’s kitchen”. In this post, I recommend places to eat and drink in Osaka, as well as landmarks. I also suggest day trips you can…