A small island with a population of just 3,400, Naoshima first came to prominence in the art world when Benesse House opened in 1992 with the theme of "coexistence of nature, architecture and art". The building, designed by the famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando, combines individually designed guestrooms with gallery space to create an entirely original and completely unique accommodation experience.

Since the opening of Benesse House, Naoshima's artistic credentials have gone from strength to strength. Today, visitors will find the island scattered with galleries and installations - not just housed in conventional museums but in disused shrines, ordinary houses, old workshops, and out on the beaches.

In 1998, the artist Tatsuo Miyajima began the celebrated "Art House Project", whereby abandoned houses on Naoshima have been turned into works of art. These buildings, of which there are now seven, are shaped by Japanese tradition and aesthetics, weaving in the history and memories of the period when the houses were built.

The Chichu Museum, meanwhile, was established in 2004 and contains works from Claude Monet, Walter De Maria and James Turrell housed in buildings designed by Tadao Ando. Though the museum itself is mainly underground in order not to impose on the natural scenery, one of its most celebrated features is the way it makes use of natural light to bring the artworks to life. Watching as the light ripples across Monet's Water Lilies, you can hardly help but be spellbound.

Even for those who know Japan well, Naoshima is refreshing, unexpected, and utterly unlike anything else you'll experience on your trip. Through the originality and industry of a few innovative artists, architects and thinkers, a lovely yet obscure fishing island has turned itself into one of Japan's most fascinating destinations: it is a truly remarkable success story.

While visiting Naoshima, we highly recommend paying a visit to the delightfully kitsch "I Love Yuu" bathhouse (a play on words: yuu means "hot water" in Japanese). Designed by artist Otake Shinro, this unique twist on the traditional Japanese pastime of hot spring bathing features video displays, stained glass, tiled mosaics, erotica, and even a giant elephant statue.