Visit Setouchi, Where Nature Meets Contemporary Art
In the Setouchi region, which comprises several hundreds of small islands, contemporary art, architecture and nature coexist off the beaten track.
The Seto Inland Sea hides a secret treasure: a series of islands (3000 in total) with magnificent landscapes, like the floating torii gates of Miyajima, the terraced rice fields of Hyogo and the canals of Kurashiki. Setouchi is known both for its environment and its relationship with contemporary art, and notably its triennial arts festival, which takes place over 12 islands simultaneously. On Naoshima, a sculpture of Yayoi Kusama stands facing the sea.
The event has helped increase tourism in the area while also preserving its typical, traditional charm. Here, the beauty of nature is showcased just as much as works of art.
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Jinbocho, Tokyo’s Book District
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Issei Suda’s ‘Family Diary’, A Distant Look at Daily Life
For two years, he photographed his family using a Minox, a tiny camera notably employed by intelligence agencies.
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‘Shojo Tsubaki’, A Freakshow
Underground manga artist Suehiro Maruo’s infamous masterpiece canonised a historical fascination towards the erotic-grotesque genre.
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The Forest that Inspired 'Princess Mononoke' in Yakushima
This mountainous island is teeming with natural wonders, from beaches with star-shaped sand to a virgin forest that inspired Hayao Miyazaki.
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Recipe for ‘Okayu’ from the Film ‘Princess Mononoke’
This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka, one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film.
