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Best art destinations in Asia

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Naoshima
Art museums on a Seto Inland Sea island
9.3
Chichu Art Museum is built mostly underground and lit by daylight from above. It shows five Monet water lily paintings in a white room. A yellow pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama waits on a pier by the sea. Ferries from Uno reach this small island in about twenty minutes.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Ride the scenic ferry to Teshima for tranquil views
  • 🎨 Stroll through Chichu Art Museum's underground galleries
  • 🏞️ Explore Naoshima's art islands, visit Benesse House
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
9.7
Mori Art Museum stays open until 10 pm on most days so evening visits are easy. It is on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills with wide views. teamLab Planets in Toyosu has rooms where visitors walk barefoot through water. Ueno Park has the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Western Art.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
  • 🍣 Savor sushi at a local eatery
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
9.2
Tea hosts here whisk powdered green tea in bowls chosen for the season. Kyoto National Museum holds paintings, swords and Buddhist sculpture from across Japan. Nishijin weavers still make silk brocade in a district of small workshops. The rock garden at Ryoan-ji has fifteen stones but only fourteen show from any one spot.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Climb the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • 🍱 Experience Japan’s beautifully presented Kaiseki dining at a traditional restaurant
  • 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning
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