Naoshima

34 d 27.456 N
133 d 58.406 E

We almost missed this stop.  It is only 21 miles from where we were in Shodoshima but the weather forecasts were playing havoc with our schedule.  We thought we were going to be stuck in Shodoshima for another day.  Not a bad place to be stuck, but we do need to kind of keep moving towards Hiroshima before our permit runs out.   Anyway we woke up yesterday to near gale winds and very cold rain so we stayed put.  Then about noon we got a break so off we went.  Motor sailing with just a partial Genoa between 7 and 8 knots.  The wind lessened but the current behind increased so some forces wanted to make sure we came.  Anyway we arrived to find a lovely little island.

This island like many in Japan was going through a serious population drain.  One of the residents turned benefactor decided to promote an art culture here.  It has worked and become a "must see" by visitors to Japan.  And from what we saw last night the word is out.  We haven't seen this many gaijin in all of Japan!   Our first foray around last night was very interesting and we will do some more exploring today.  Let's hope for a good forecast for the next couple of days so we can spend a few more hours here.  Watch for an update and some pics to this post.

We did the Art Houses Project.  Six houses with 'art'.

the toilet in one of the 'art houses'.  note : it is only for display

The most photographed art pieces on Nao.  Note the boats tied up at the pontoon on the right

Lots of houses have images like this.  It is drawn with twine

the steps of this shrine is made of glass that went all the way underground

lots of pretty tulips, all over Nao