Teshima Art Museum

Teshima itself is a beautiful island— but the Teshima Art Museum felt surprisingly disappointing. After all the effort to get here (ferry → bus → long wait), the entire experience inside the two concrete domes lasted barely 10 minutes. The space is visually clean, but extremely minimal to the point of feeling empty. Many reviews talk about “light, wind, water and silence” as if they were profound revelations. But these are simply the natural elements you can feel anywhere on the island — and honestly, they feel more authentic outdoors than inside a cement shell. It’s an interesting concept, but the execution feels more like a design statement than an actual artistic experience. The journey is long, the logistics are inconvenient, and the reward is… very thin. If you’re already on Teshima, sure, take a look. But if you’re coming just for this museum, you might end up wondering, “Was all this travel really for that?”

Visiting the Teshima Art Museum was an experience beyond words. The architecture itself feels alive; pure, organic, and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. Stepping inside, time seems to slow down, inviting silence, reflection, and presence. The beauty of the space lies not only in its form, but in the energy it transmits. Light, air, water, and sound coexist in perfect harmony, creating a quiet dialogue between nature, art, and the visitor. It is a place where you don’t simply observe, you feel. Rarely does architecture move you so profoundly. Teshima Art Museum is not just a museum; it is a moment of calm, wonder, and deep emotional connection that stays with you long after you leave.

Teshima Art Museum Visiting the Teshima Art Museum and the installation Matrix was a truly special experience for me. I travelled there in September 2026 with friends who had this island and its installations on their radar — and honestly, it was absolutely worth it. We rented bicycles on Teshima, which I highly recommend. It’s the perfect way to get around the island and take in the art installations at your own pace. The visit to Matrix was, in the literal sense, “mind blowing.” We stepped into the large dome and simply took our time, letting the entire piece unfold. The dome itself was designed by the architect Ryue Nishizawa, and the fascinating world inside is the work of artist Rei Naito. The combination of those two worlds creates something truly exceptional. You enter the dome through two large openings in the ceiling. Inside, complete silence is required, and visitors move around very calmly. Many people sit down or even lie down to absorb the atmosphere. Water gently emerges from tiny openings in the floor and forms small droplets that travel across the surface — part of the artwork itself. Watching this, while feeling the raw concrete structure around you and the presence of nature through the ceiling openings, is something hard to put into words. It feels meditative, and as I wrote earlier, genuinely mind blowing. My tip: take your time. For me, the real effect only started after around 45–60 minutes. And then it became very intense. Toward the end I was completely immersed, almost transported elsewhere. It was a completely new way of experiencing art — with all my senses. An experience I would never want to miss.

Amazing piece of art. Photos are not allowed inside for which I am very thankful. It was a calming but profoundly moving experience. It can be very crowded. Make sure to reserve your slot in advance.

The masterpiece by SANAA. Cannot take a photo inside the museum. It's a bit hard to go by ship and shuttle bus, but worth it! I recommend pumpkin ice cream at the shop!

Love the tranquility and peacefulness of this museum and the entire Teshima island. When you enter the dome, you appreciate the sounds, temperature, light and shade of nature. Must buy ticket in advance tho. Well worth the time and money cost to reach here.

Outstanding Museum Where Architecture, Art, and Nature Breathe as One As photographers for Photolator, the Teshima Art Museum left us profoundly moved. Designed by Ryue Nishizawa and dedicated to the work of artist Rei Naito, the museum is unlike any other — a serene, organic space where art, architecture, and the surrounding landscape merge into a single living experience. The structure itself resembles a water droplet gently resting on the hilltop. Inside, there are no paintings or sculptures in the traditional sense — instead, the space is alive with light, shadow, wind, and the slow movement of water on the smooth concrete floor. Every moment inside feels unique, with natural elements constantly shifting and creating new visual compositions for the lens. Photography is restricted inside, but even without capturing images, the experience fuels creative vision. The surrounding views of the Seto Inland Sea and the peaceful approach to the museum offer plenty of photographic opportunities. For Photolator, the Teshima Art Museum is more than a destination — it’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful inspiration comes from simply observing, feeling, and being present. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Inside of the dome is strictly restricted to take any photo. There are a few people patrolling inside. I found it bit crazy but perhaps to avoid any photo taking distractions, which is understandable. There are many small holes on the floor from which water is coming out. Please be careful of not being wet. Outside of the dome is very peaceful. We walked to the museum from the ferry port. It was a nice 50min walk.

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect with this museum because I remember watching several videos and it looked cool because it's a wide open space and there were aspects of air, water and blue sky, but to tell you the truth it looked like an open space and I didn't understand the water aspect because I thought it had to rain in order for the water to be provided but I still wanted to go. In order for you to get into the entrance, you have to walk around this hill and through some dense trees, but there were views of the Seto Inland Sea that one could never get tired of. Then you're instructed again by another caretaker who reminds you to take off your shoes, don't be loud, don't touch anything and most importantly don't take any pictures. Too easy for me. But crossing the threshold, that was when my mind shifted and my life was completely flipped upside down because you walk in and you have no idea of how immense this space is. And air and bright sky looks against the concrete surroundings. You noticed the water and upon closer investigation you see that it is seeping through small holes on the floor. They come up with various quantities and some of it are small and just for little bubbles and some of it become larger and they start running towards, wherever they wanna go. There were so much movement stillness and all you could do is just stare and then the sky thankfully today it was bright and cloudless and the weather was amazing. We had the viewing time of 12 PM and I could not have asked for anything better because the sun felt so, credible against my skin and contrasted with the coolness of the shade and the cold cement. That's when I really appreciated how no one was talking and that it was just silent in regards to people, but with nature, the birds and wildlife that were surrounding the area along with the wind That blew that little streamer on either holes of the ceiling like a floating ballerina. That's when I knew that pictures, videos, or any sort recordings just cannot compare and that to experience it yourself is something that will imprint a memory that will never be taken for granted, and you could smile finally that you were there. Because even as I was sitting , admiring the museum I already did not want to leave.

We had to make a difficult decision to go to either Naoshima or Teshima. If you have time, definitely go to both, but we only had one day and chose Teshima after reading several reviews. I'd like to say that we did not chose incorrectly. Teshima, while only being one art installation, has the potential to be life changing. It is so creative and unique and we were both so fully immersed in it. I could've spent all day there and I'm not the type to spend more than a few hours at a museum. The experience of Teshima draws in all of your senses and I can see how you could go back and experience it at different times and different seasons. It's beauty is so simplistic and yet it is so powerful. It honors the ever changing moods of nature while giving it a quiet respect. Trust me and go. It remains an experience that changed my life and touched my soul. All the reviews may seem ambiguous and vague, they are that way for a reason, go see for yourself!

Amazing art installation / architectural marvel. The creativity and ingenuity is unlike anything I've experience before. It's more than just a beautiful structure, it's a play on mechanical engineering and the fluidity and unpredictability of nature. Don't want to give away too much, but it's much more than what you think it is.