Located in the Ieura area on the north-western side of Teshima, this house sticks out at first because of the prominently tall cylindrical tower that stands next to an otherwise traditional Japanese house. Walk a little closer and you notice the entrance frames a Mondrian-like rectangle of red tinted glass that gives the courtyard within a rather unworldly look, a slightly disconcerting feeling as you enter.
Welcome to Teshima Yokoo House, a collaboration between artist Tadanori Yokoo and architect Yuki Nagayama. What was once an old private house has since been transformed into a gallery of sorts that houses Yokoo's works, though arguably one can say the house is a work of art in itself.
The juxtaposition of contemporary colors and textures against the the traditional brown wood and grey stone of this old house make it such an unusual sight. Beyond the red glass is a pond with koi, which seems normal enough except for the alice-in-wonderland type hues - red rocks and gold ornaments against a colorful mosaic - you barely even see the fish in the pond at first.
The pond continues underneath the house, a fact you realize after stepping onto the glass floor. Yokoo's various artworks can be found displayed in the various rooms on the first level. Like the architecture, Yokoo's art is an odd mix of traditional Japanese styles and more modern, pop-art westernized imagery. Do look closely at each piece when you walk by it, no matter how risque it might appear - you might spot some detail you did not notice before. Remember to climb up to the second level of the house where more artwork is installed in an attic-like upper level, but watch your head as the ceilings are quite low.
After that, swing by the outhouse where the cylindrical tower is. The tower makes more sense when you view the "Installation of waterfall" that is installed in it, it is quite the experience which I shall not spoil for you here. And do make time to visit the actual toilets on site - reflective surfaces cover the entire surface of the toilet's interior which can be a bit distracting when you are on the pot.
