For example, the Chichu Art Museum (literally, "in the earth") houses a number of site-specific installations by James Turrell, Walter De Maria, and paintings by Claude Monet.

Designed by Tadao Ando, it is located on one of the highest points of the island, and various exhibits and facets of the museum's architecture take advantage of its commanding view.

Benesse Corporation (one of the largest education companies in Japan and based in Okayama) has directed the creation and operation of the island's museums and other projects since the late 1980s.

Byōbujima is a minor island north of Naoshima, close to Okayama Prefecture, with a population of 19 as of 2015.

[update][7] Per Japanese census data,[10] the population fo Naoshima has declined over the past half-century.