Naoshima Setouchi Art Island Course

On Naoshima, the contemporary art island floating in the Seto Inland Sea, this course visits museums and outdoor artworks. You can savor the unique scenery where the sea and modern art blend together in a single day. The ferry crossing itself is enjoyable as the start of island time.

Course Route

10:00 Start at Miyanoura Port Arrive at Miyanoura Port by ferry. Take in the red pumpkin sculpture, the port symbol, and begin your island tour. The ferry terminal at the port is itself a distinctive piece of architecture.

10:30 Explore the Art House Project Move to the Honmura district and walk to view the Art House Project, which turns old houses into artworks. Stroll the streetscape itself while visiting the scattered works one by one.

12:00 Lunch at an island cafe Have lunch made with island ingredients at a cafe in Honmura or near the port. Popular cafes can get crowded, so allow time when choosing.

13:30 View the Chichu Art Museum At the Chichu Art Museum, which makes use of natural light, take your time engaging with the works. Entry is by date-and-time reservation, hours are roughly 10:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:00), and it is closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday).

15:30 Outdoor art around Benesse House Tour the outdoor works scattered along the coast and take photos in front of the yellow pumpkin to close the day. The evening seaside has soft light that photographs well.

Highlights

The red pumpkin at Miyanoura Port and the yellow pumpkin by the sea are popular photo spots that symbolize Naoshima. The Art House Project lets you experience the town itself as artwork. The Chichu Art Museum is a space where the building itself can be called a work, and how it appears changes with the shifting natural light.

Access and Tips

Reach Naoshima by ferry from Takamatsu Port or from Uno Port in Okayama Prefecture. From Takamatsu Port it is about 50 minutes by ferry, or about 30 minutes by high-speed passenger boat. From Uno Port it is close at about 20 minutes by ferry, so you can choose the port to match your destination. Getting around the island is convenient by town bus or rental bicycle.

Practical Travel Notes

• The Chichu Art Museum is by date-and-time reservation, and when online tickets sell out there may be no same-day counter sales. Reserve early once your visit date is set. Hours are roughly 10:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:00), and it is closed on Mondays.
• Naoshimas main museums are often closed on Mondays, so if you visit on a Monday be sure to check opening status.
• The ferry from Takamatsu Port is 680 yen one way for adults, and from Uno Port it is 370 yen one way for adults. Since travel time and fare differ, choose the route to match your itinerary.
• The island has slopes, so an electric-assist rental bicycle is comfortable. Combining walking with the town bus is another option.
• Return ferries run at limited times, so deciding your departure in advance is reassuring.

A Quick Tip

Checking reservations and closing days for the museums is essential. Deciding your return ferry time in advance lets you enjoy island time at a relaxed pace. Leaving your bags in a coin locker at the port and traveling light is recommended.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Fees (Chichu Art Museum): For adults, weekdays cost 2,500 yen booked online or 2,800 yen at the counter, and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays cost 2,700 yen booked online or 3,000 yen at the counter. Free of charge for those aged 15 and under
• Opening times of the Art House Project: Kadoya, Ishibashi and Haisha are open 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:30; Go'o Shrine and Gokaisho are open 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:30; and Minamidera is open 10:00-16:30 (last admission 16:05). Kinza is open 10:30-13:00 and 14:30-16:30 from March to September, and 10:00-13:00 and 14:30-16:00 from October to February
• Fees (Art House Project): The multi-site ticket covering the five houses other than Minamidera and Kinza costs 1,200 yen online or 1,400 yen at the counter, and a one-site ticket for a single house costs 600 yen online or 700 yen at the counter. Free of charge for those aged 15 and under
• Closing days (Art House Project): Closed on Mondays. When Monday is a public holiday or a substitute holiday it opens, and closes the following day instead
• Enquiries: 087-892-3755 (Chichu Art Museum) / 050-1794-1100 (Benesse House)
• Official information: the official Benesse Art Site Naoshima website (the Chichu Art Museum and Art House Project pages)

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Hours and fees may change, so please check the official information before you set out.