Naoshima Art Island: How to get to Naoshima and one day itinerary

Have you heard of Naoshima Art Island? How about the Naoshima Pumpkin? If you are into contemporary art or modern architecture, a fan of Yayoi Kusama‘s one-of-a-kind polka dot artwork or Tadao Ando‘s concrete architecture, you must get off the beaten path and add Naoshima to your Japan itinerary.

Part of Kagawa Prefecture, Naoshima is a small island and home to 3100 residents. In the 1980s, Japan wanted to revolutionize the art scene and create a world-class attraction. While contemporary art is blending into the island’s natural landscape, the focus is to create Japan’s cultural and educational centre.

Today, Naoshima is a famous art island in Japan with an eclectic mix of contemporary artwork from paintings, sculptures, installations and architecture. And it is a destination for all modern art lovers.

And it is easy to get to Naoshima, Japan. I’ll show you exactly how to get to Naoshima no matter where you start your journey in Japan and my one-day itinerary for touring around the art island.

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Naoshima Art Island: what you need to know

Before you spend a day on Naoshima Island, take a look at my post on everything you need to know before going to Japan. I included a lot of tips on how to get around Japan and other travel tips.

Here are additional travel tips that you may find useful for for day trip to Naoshima:

• Before you visit Naoshima, familiarize yourself with this Naoshima map
• Check the calendar for closure dates for all the attractions on the island
• Bike rentals are at Miyanoura Port. An eelectric bicycle costs ¥1,000 (4 hours).
• Even though biking around is much more fun, walking around the island is possible.
• Save time by booking your advance ticket for Chichu Art Museum and choose the 11:00 am time frame because it gives you sufficient time to walk from Miyanoura Port to Chichu Art Museum.
• The last two ferries back to Uno Port are 5:35 pm and 7:02 pm.
• See both Naoshima and Teshima as they are both amazing art islands of Japan

How to get to Naoshima Japan

Naoshima is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, about 30km south of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture. Whether you are travelling from Osaka to Naoshima from the east or Hiroshima to Naoshima from the west, the efficient train system will get you there in less than an hour.

But first, you have to get to Okayama City. Check Hyperdia for schedules and fares. Here are the sample routes:

Travelling from east: Osaka to Okayama

• JR Shinkansen: from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station
  • Time: 49 minutes
  • Cost: from ¥6,140 (covered by JR Pass except for Nozomi and Mizuho trains)

Travelling from west: Hiroshima to Okayama

• JR Shinkansen: from Hiroshima Station to Okayama Station
  • Time: 40 minutes
  • Cost: from ¥6,140 (covered by JR Pass except for Nozomi and Mizuho trains)

From Okayama to Naoshima

Once you arrive in Okayama, take a local train from Okayama to Uno. Then walk five minutes from Uno Station to Uno Ferry Port to catch a Naoshima ferry.

Train: Okayama to Uno

• JR Uno Line: from Okayama Station to Uno Station
  • Time: 58 minutes (may need to change trains at Chayamachi Station which is across the platform)
  • Cost: ¥590 (covered by JR Pass)

Ferry: Uno to Naoshima

• Walk five minutes from Uno Station to Uno Ferry Port
• Catch the next Naoshima ferry or passenger boat from Uno Ferry Terminal to Miyanoura Port in Naoshima
  • Time: 20 minutes (about every hour)
  • Cost: ¥300
  • Check the Naoshima ferry schedule here

Naoshima day trip: how to get around

Walking is absolutely doable for the one-day itinerary. But there’s a bit of walking. From Miyanoura Port to Chichu Art Museum is about 20 to 30 minutes depends on how fast you walk. From Benesse House to Honmura Port is about 30 to 40 minutes and from Honmura Port back to Miyanoura Port is at least 30 minutes.

You can also do a combination of walking and bus. There is a paid bus route from Miyanoura Port to Tsutsuji-so (Museum Area). Each bus ride cost ¥100.

There is also a free shuttle bus. From Tsutsuji-so, you can catch a free Museum shuttle bus that will take you to Benesse House Museum, Lee Ufan Museum and Chichu Art Museum. Check the schedule for both buses here.

If you do not want to walk long distances or take public transportation, rent a bicycle. A regular bike costs ¥300 and an electric bicycle costs ¥1000.

There are car rentals as well but it isn’t necessary to rent a vehicle when there are so many other great options to tour the island.

Map: Naoshima Island itinerary

You can spend a full day on Naoshima Island and see everything at a leisurely pace. Once, you arrive at Miyanoura Port, follow the path and walk anti-clockwise around the island. Follow the numbers on my interactive map and see the best contemporary art on Naoshima Island.

But before you plan your trip to Naoshima, check the calendar for closure dates. It would be a shame if you arrived at the art island and everything was closed.

What to do in Naoshima: one day itinerary

1. Red Pumpkin

There is a giant red polka dot pumpkin welcoming you as your ferry pulls into Miyanoura Port. It is Yayoi Kusama‘s Red Pumpkin. You can see it from the ferry as you approach Naoshima. Get close to the pumpkin – you can even go inside!

2. Chichu Art Museum

If you are a fan of Tadao Ando, then you must visit the Chichu Art Museum. The geometric concrete building exemplifies Tadao Ando’s signature design where simplicity and spatial relationship are both emphasized. With the use of concrete, metal, glass and wood, each material juxtaposed each other most interestingly. The architecture is immersed into the ground in the surrounding garden because he didn’t want to have an exterior design for the museum.

Within the museum, artwork and installations by Claude Monet, James Turrell and Walter De Maria are tastefully placed in different parts of the museum, complementing the space Ando designed. You can see five paintings from Monet’s Water Lilies series, an art installation by Walter De Maria and an interactive area called “Open Sky” created by James Turrell. The museum is a must-see as it is one of the best contemporary art museums in Naoshima!

I wish I had more photos of the Chichu Art Museum but visitors are not allowed to take photos inside. But take my word for it, these are some of the best installations I’ve seen.

And do yourself a favour by booking your ticket online to avoid the long queue. Choose the date and time and pay for your ticket. I picked 11:00 am and I had enough time to walk from Miyanoura Port to the museum.

On the day of your visit, show the barcode ticket from your email at the ticket centre. The entrance fee is ¥2,060.

3. Lee Ufan Museum

Opened in 2010, Lee Ufan Museum combines Tadao Ando‘s architecture and Lee Ufan‘s contemporary artwork. For ¥1,030, you can see large installations of stone, concrete and iron by the Korean contemporary artist both inside and outside the museum. There are installations on the outside of the museum and close to the beach as well.

4. Benesse House Museum

Designed by Tadao Ando, the museum-hotel is set on a hilltop because he wanted to make the most of the landscape.

For ¥1,030, you can see the permanent collection that is placed on several floors of the open-spaced building. My favourite is Kan Yasuda’s “The Secret of the Sky.” An installation of large white marble with soft curves. But the idea is about connecting with space and the open roof with a view of the sky.

And if you decide to stay overnight, it is possible to stay in one of the rooms in Benesse Hotel also designed by Tadao Ando. Check availability directly on the museum’s website.

5. Yellow Pumpkin aka Naoshima Pumpkin

Also known as Naoshima Pumpkin, Yayoi Kusama‘s Yellow Pumpkin is all over Instagram! She is famous for her polka dot motif, and this is her first outdoor sculpture. The Yellow Pumpkin was one of my main inspirations for my solo trip to Japan.

The Naoshima Pumpkin is also a part of the Benesse House Museum ground, which includes other open-air works scattered along the perimeter of the building and the beach.

6. Ando Museum

It is only appropriate to have Ando Museum on Naoshima Island! He was involved in designing many buildings in the last 25 years in Naoshima, including Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum, Lee Ufan Museum and Ando Museum.

In the Honmura area in Naoshima, there are many houses over 100 years old, and he selected one for Ando Museum. While preserving the architectural integrity of the old wood house, he continued to use contemporary materials like concrete to create an inviting space. He used old and new, contrasting elements while incorporating lighting into the design. The contrast of light and dark is the quintessential Ando design.

For an entrance fee of ¥1,030, you can see all of Ando’s ideation sketches, drawings and notes for all the projects mentioned.

7. Art House Project

Artists used six empty houses in Honmura Port and turned them into art exhibits for the Art House Project in Naoshima. It feels like a scavenger hunt as you search for all the houses scattered in the neighbourhood. Pay a fee of ¥410 to view one house or ¥1,030 to see all six houses. Tickets can be purchased at Honmura Lounge and other locations.

8. Miyanoura Gallery 6

Opened in 2013, Miyounoura Gallery 6 is set in an old pachinko parlour. where Naoshima residents loved. But today, it is a small gallery space with exhibits that features the culture and history of the Setouchi region.

The gallery is designed with the neighbouring park by architect Taira Nishizawa.

9. Naoshima Bath (I Heart Yu)

The eclectic exterior matches the quirky interior of this bathhouse. Designed by Shinro Ohtake, Naoshima Bath (I Heart Yu) is a functioning bathhouse where residents and visitors can use the bathhouse facilities.

There are a few public viewing dates (although quite selective, but still possible) to view the bathhouse without using the facilities. Check the Naoshima Bath website for exact dates.

If you want to use the bathhouse, set aside enough time in your itinerary.

Naoshima Island day trip: other things to do

Teshima Island

Teshima is another fantastic art island full of contemporary artwork in the Seto Inland Sea. Spend the day on an electric bicycle and visit Teshima Yokoo House, La Forêt des Murmures, and most of all, you have to see the installation at Teshima Art Museum. It has to be one of the best installations I’ve seen worldwide!

There are ferries from Naoshima to Teshima. However, the ferry schedule is quite limited. I suggest using Uno as a home base and visiting Naoshima and Teshima. Check the ferry schedule for ferries so you can plan your trip.

Also, check the calendar before you plan your trip to Teshima. If the museums are closed on a public holiday, the ferry will not operate. To ensure a smooth journey, take a look at the calendar so you won’t be disappointed.

Naoshima Island accommodations

Naoshima art island accommodation is either budget-friendly or a high-end luxury hotel.

The budget option is pretty basic, in my opinion. They are either hostels or guesthouses that are cheap and cheerful but nothing fancy. And although the luxury option is fantastic, it will cost you quite a bit.

I wasn’t able to find a place I really wanted to stay on Naoshima Island, so I opted to stay overnight at Hym Hostel in Uno, which was perfect because I was also visiting Teshima Island.

But if you want to stay on Naoshima Island, here are some suggestions:

• Shimayado Aisunao ($) – get a semi-western-style room for one if you want to stay on the island. Near Ando Museum in Honmura Port on Naoshima island.
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda
• Francoile ($$) – The bed and breakfast on Naoshima Island has only two rooms. Located at Honmura Port, each room has twin beds and a modern and clean interior. There’s a cafe downstairs. This is an excellent choice if you want to stay on Naoshima art island.
  • Check prices & reviews: Francoile website
• Benesse Hotel ($$$) – the hotel is set on the hillside as a separate building from the Benesse House Museum. Designed by Tadao Ando, you can book a one-of-a-kind room on Naoshima. One of the best Naoshima hotels, but it is not cheap! Also, book in advance as there are not that many rooms.
  • Check prices & reviews: Benesse Hotel website  

Where to eat in Naoshima and Uno

There are excellent food options in both Naoshima and Uno. Since I planned to bike around the island, I stocked up on snacks like onigiri (Japanese rice ball) and sandwiches from 7-Eleven. You might want to do the same because restaurants can only be found around Miyanoura Port, Honmoura Port and inside the museums.

Below are some budget and mid-range food and coffee shop suggestions.

• Osaka-ya Shokudo ($) – located near Uno Station, the homey restaurant serves grilled fish set with rice, miso soup and side dishes for about ¥600.
• Omachido ($) – just minutes away from Uno Ferry Port, you can try a shaved-ice dessert with your favourite fruit.
• Little Plum ($) – a popular choice in Miyanoura Port that serves delicious food and great cocktails.
• Chichu Cafe ($$) – inside the Chichu Art Museum, you can enjoy a coffee or lunch with a magnificent view of the Seto Inland Sea.
• Bollard Coffee ($) – under Hym Hostel in Uno, the coffee shop serves a great espresso.
• Francoile Cafe ($) – grab a caffeine break at the bed and breakfast cafe in Honmura Port in Naoshima.
• 7-Eleven ($) – there is one by Uno Port train station and one in Miyanoura Port in Naoshima.
• Supermarket ($) – the one right by Hym Hostel that has a great selection of prepared food.

Are you ready to take a day trip to Naoshima Japan?

I hope you enjoyed my Naoshima one-day itinerary and found this guide useful. I had a blast visiting Naoshima, Japan! So I highly recommend anyone who loves modern art because Naoshima is definitely worth visiting and a fun place to get off the beaten track in Japan.

FYI, similar to Teshima, Naoshima is also part of the Setouchi Triennale, where many islands in the Seto Inland Sea participate in a contemporary art event every three years. The next one is in 2025.

Thank you for reading my Naoshima itinerary post

You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Japan:

Introduction to Japan

• Solo Travel to Japan: 17 best cities for solo travellers
• Things I wish I knew before going to Japan
• 11 Off-the-beaten-path places in Japan
• Japanese Food Culture: 11 must-try food
• One month in Japan: from Tokyo to Hiroshima

Kanto region

• 5-day Tokyo itinerary for first-time visitors
• Where to stay in Tokyo for solo travellers
• Tokyo Food Guide: 42 best places to eat in Tokyo

Kansai region

• Kyoto 2-day itinerary
• Uji day trip from Kyoto
• Nara day trip from Kyoto or Osaka
• 2-day Osaka itinerary
• Osaka to Kobe day trip: 1-day itinerary
• Himeji day trip from Osaka

Chugoku region

• How to spend one day on Teshima Island
• 17 Best things to do in Kurashiki Japan
• 13 Top things to do in Onomichi Japan
• Shimanami Kaido: how to spend one day cycling Japan’s best bike route
• Hiroshima 2-day itinerary
• Day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima

Kyushu region

• 10-day Kyushu Island itinerary
• 25 Best things to do in Fukuoka Japan
• Day trip to Dazaifu from Fukuoka
• Kumamoto City in one day
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• 11 Top things to do in Kagoshima Japan

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