Lee Ufan Museum

A short distance from Naoshima’s southern shore, the Lee Ufan Museum keeps its profile low and lets the hillside, stone and sky become part of the exhibition. The project brings together artist Lee Ufan and architect Tadao Ando; some rooms are partly underground, and the courtyards make silence and light part of the visit. It offers a more concentrated counterpoint to the scale and reputation of Chichu.

Paintings and sculptures set natural elements against industrial materials, especially stone and steel. This is not a large gallery; its strength lies in spending time with each work and noticing how it changes from different viewpoints. Public comments praise the quiet atmosphere and the way the building meets the landscape, while some visitors find the route brief or prefer to read about Lee’s work beforehand. Photography is restricted inside the galleries, so the encounter depends on looking rather than documenting.

The museum is at 1390 Kuraura in the Benesse museum area. Usual hours are 10:00–17:00, last admission 16:30, with Monday closures except on designated holidays or special dates. The official site lists ¥1,200 online and ¥1,400 at the door; admission is free for visitors under 16. Use the local bus and Benesse’s free shuttle from Tsutsujisō. If combining it with Chichu, reserve Chichu first because it has timed entry, then leave room for walking, waiting for the bus and taking in the outdoor setting.