10 May 2024

An abundance of art on Naoshima Island

Our first night on board Heritage Adventurer saw us cruise the Seto Inland Sea, under a spectacular bridge and ended at the Port of Uno where we would start our day. We boarded the coaches for our transit to the Okayama Korakuen Garden, past sprawling cityscapes of shopping centres, industrial areas, residential housing and business districts.

The Okayama Korakuen Garden is rated as one of the three finest feudal-period gardens in Japan. Our walk around the pond at Korakuen was through open lawns and to a great viewpoint on the hill. Each tree was individually shaped to complement the landscape, and the Okayama Castle was visible from many sections. An aviary of endangered Red Crowned Cranes was on display, and we learned they were used for ceremonial flyovers.

From there it was to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which is the home of the Ohara Museum of Art. The prosperous area along the river is lined with well-preserved storehouses and residences from the Edo Period. Strolling the circuit with the river boats and swans for company gave a real feeling of having travelled back in time. Ohara Art Museum housed one of the first collections of Western art in Japan and has a fantastic collection of both classic and modern art. The collection has been displayed to highlight the cross-cultural influences, with excellent signage in English.

After lunch on Heritage Adventurer, we enjoyed a cruise of a different sort. We boarded coaches which then drove onto a ferry for the short passage to Naoshima Island. The art theme of the morning continued as Naoshima is famous for art. Our tour started with a visit to the Benesse House Museum, then with a stop at the Art House Project to see the conversion of vacant houses to art installations. Along the way, we stopped for close-up views of the iconic red and yellow pumpkin sculptures, and other artworks dotting the public spaces.

Back on board we enjoyed Captain’s Cocktails and learned more about the fabulous teams looking after us on the voyage ahead.

Images © C. Finch & J.Rogers, Heritage Expeditions