Museum

Gokaisho (Art House Project)

📍 Gokaisho, Art House Project, Honmura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa, Japan

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3.4/ 5.0

★★★☆☆

Quick Facts

Location: Japan
Category: Museum
Duration: About 10-15 minutes
Opening Hours: 10:00-13:00 / 14:00-16:30 (lunch break); closed Mondays, shifted after holidays
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · Art House pass JPY 1,200 online / 1,400 at the door (under-15 free); single house JPY 600/700
Address: Gokaisho, Art House Project, Honmura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa, Japan
Coordinates: 34.4500, 133.8160

Introduction

Gokaisho is an Art House Project space on Naoshima, converted from a former Go (board game) club — and it is by woodcarving artist Yoshihiro Suda, not to be confused with Tatsuo Miyajima's Sea of Time at Kadoya, a completely different work. Suda took his cue from Hayami Gyoshu's famous painting 'Camellia Tree' (designated an Important Cultural Property of the Showa era), scattering delicate wooden camellia carvings across the small tatami room, while the adjoining garden grows real five-colour camellias — real and carved blooms facing each other, because 'inconspicuousness is part of looking'. The old timber house keeps its quiet atmosphere; the space is small but magnifies overlooked everyday detail into poetry. Along with Kadoya, Go'o Shrine, Ishibashi and Haisha, it dots the lanes of Honmura and is best seen on a stroll.

✨ Highlights

Suda's Camellias

Yoshihiro Suda's signature garden-plant carvings rest on the tatami.

Real and Carved

Wooden camellias inside face real five-colour camellias in the garden, blurring real and fake.

Inspired by Gyoshu

After Hayami Gyoshu's 'Camellia Tree', an Important Cultural Property of the Showa era.

A Former Go Club

Converted from a village Go club, its Japanese timber and quiet mood intact.

A Honmura Stroll

It shares the lanes with Kadoya, Go'o Shrine, Ishibashi and Haisha — best walked together.

Photo Etiquette

Artwork and architecture are fine to shoot, but not the neighbouring homes.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：The space is small — about 10-15 minutes; allow half a day to walk the Honmura houses.

→Photography：No flash in the dim room; shoot the artwork and architecture only — never the neighbouring homes.

→Combine：Same village as Kadoya, Go'o Shrine, Ishibashi and Haisha; Minamidera and KINZA need separate timed tickets.

→Opening Hours：10:00-13:00 / 14:00-16:30 (lunch break); closed Mondays, shifted after holidays

→Transportation：From Miyanoura port take the Naoshima municipal bus (JPY 100/ride) to Honmura and walk; or rent an e-bike

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

Art House pass JPY 1,200 online / 1,400 at the door (under-15 free); single house JPY 600/700

💡 Tips

• Don't confuse it with Kadoya: that is Miyajima's LED Sea of Time; here it is Suda's carved camellias.

• Photography of neighbouring homes is banned — frame carefully; staff will remind you.

• The Art House pass covers five houses and beats single tickets; online is JPY 200 cheaper than the door.

• The Honmura houses dot the lanes — explore by e-bike or on foot at a slow pace.

• The room is tiny; don't rush — sit a while in the garden and compare the real and carved blooms.

• Closed Mondays (shifted after holidays) — check the official calendar before you go.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Gokaisho (Art House Project)?

10:00-13:00 / 14:00-16:30 (lunch break); closed Mondays, shifted after holidays

How much is the admission for Gokaisho (Art House Project)?

Adult: Free; Art House pass JPY 1,200 online / 1,400 at the door (under-15 free); single house JPY 600/700

Any practical tips for visiting Gokaisho (Art House Project)?

Don't confuse it with Kadoya: that is Miyajima's LED Sea of Time; here it is Suda's carved camellias. Photography of neighbouring homes is banned — frame carefully; staff will remind you.