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Naoshima Full-Day Customized Tour
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Joined 2023
You will explore the magical art island of Naoshima! Even you are not so art lovers you will definitely enjoy this one-of-a-kind tour. First, you will be visiting the museum area including Chicyu art museum and meet the iconic yellow pumpkin along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. At the Art House Project area, you will feel closer to Naoshima's life by strolling several installations in the historical castle town. You will surely become a fan of this magical island!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Miyanoura port on Naoshima
Miyanoura Port
Outdoor art works welcome you at the port. The Marine Station “Naoshima”, Red Pumpkin, Naoshima Pavilion
Chichu Art Museum
The museum, designed by Tadao Ando, is itself an extraordinary art piece, built mostly underground to preserve the beautiful natural scenery. Claude Monet’s famous late works are displayed in natural light, allowing the view of the art to change with the weather and time of day—a truly unique way to appreciate these masterpieces. Artworks by James Turrell and Walter De Maria are also on permanent display. Tickets must be reserved through the museum's official website. We can take a break at Chichu Café, which offers stunning views of the Inland Sea. The itinerary will be adjusted based on the timing of your museum reservation; if it’s in the afternoon, we’ll visit other areas in the morning.
Valley Gallery and Lee Ufa Museum outdoor artworks
Valley Gallery
Set within a serene valley considered a sacred boundary, the Valley Gallery centers on the themes of prayer, rebirth, and harmony with nature. Its small shrine-like building and open, double-walled structure invite quiet introspection while allowing visitors to feel the movement of light, wind, and time. The artworks, closely connected to local history and nature, resonate with the surrounding landscape, creating a space for spiritual reflection and a renewed awareness of the richness of life.
Lee Ufan Museum – Outdoor Artworks
Nestled in a gentle valley between hills and sea, the Lee Ufan Museum features minimalist sculptures that harmonize with their natural surroundings. Created by Lee Ufan and set around a Tadao Ando-designed semi-underground structure, the outdoor works encourage silent contemplation. With simple materials like stone and steel, the sculptures emphasize stillness and space, offering a peaceful dialogue between nature, art, and architecture.
Benesse House Museum
Benesse House Museum, built in 1992, was the first to combine accommodation with the concept of "coexistence of nature, art, and architecture." Staying here allows for a unique experience, including exploring the museum at night and using the free hotel shuttle. However, staying is not essential to enjoy Naoshima. If you do stay, we can skip Benesse House Museum and spend more time on the nearby Lee Ufan Museum. The stylish café at Benesse House is also a great spot for lunch with a great view of Seto inland sea.
Art House Project
The old, vacant houses in the castle town, once home to local pirates, have been transformed into contemporary art installations. Walking around, you can experience the history of Naoshima up close, with creative installations inspired by the town's heritage. The ANDO MUSEUM. There are also a few cozy cafés where we can stop for snacks and relax.
Naoshima New Museum of Art
Opened in May 2025, this stunning hilltop museum designed by Tadao Ando showcases contemporary Asian art in harmony with nature. The building itself blends beautifully with the landscape, and the opening exhibition features impressive works by top Asian artists like Takashi Murakami and Cai Guo-Qiang. With ocean views, site-specific artworks, and thoughtful design, it's a peaceful and inspiring place to visit on Naoshima. The cafe itself is worth visiting for art and view.
Naoshima Bath, I love 湯/ Naoshima Pavillion / Red Pumpkin
At the end of your journey, we can explore the artworks near Miyanoura Port or relax in the local cafe. (Red Pumpkin, Naoshima Bath and Naoshima Pavillion)
End of the tour
Miyanoura port
Ending Point
Miyanoura port on Naoshima
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fee and hotel pick-up if near the port
Transportation Fee
Lunch (you and the guide)
Entrance Fee: we may not visit all of the following facilities.
・Naoshima New Museum of Art: 1500 yen~
・Chichu Art Museum: 2,500 yen~,
・Benesse House Museum:1,300 yen~ ,
・Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors 1,500 yen~(Tea and sweets are included)
・Lee Ufan Museum:1,200yen~
・Art House Project: 1,200 yen~ multi-site
・ANDO MUSEUM: 600 yen~
・Naoshima Bath:660 yen
Tour Important Information
There are two ways to get to Naoshima, one from Uno Port in Okayama and the other from Takamatsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture, but for a taste of island travel, I recommend taking the lovely ferry from Takamatsu Port. Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port are very close, and there are many accommodation facilities. To come to Takamatsu station, transfer to the Marine Liner at Okayama station and travel one hour through the Seto-ohashi Bridge.
From Okayama station to Uno Port, you can ride a local train but if you have luggage and more than one person, it is more convenient to take a taxi, which costs about 8,000 yen.
If you stay at Benesse House on Naoshima, you can enjoy the night views of art works. You also have the privilege of riding the hotel bus connecting the other sightseeing area, which is more convenient.
This tour is not available on Mondays because many facilities are closed on Naoshima.
If you stay at the Benesse house hotels you can use hotel bus transportation freely. If you don't, it is convenient to reserve a taxi for a big group to see more art sites. I highly recommend to book early because there aren't many taxis on Naoshima.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Mika S.
My name is Mika, a local guide living in Takamatsu city. I have been an English teacher, but the Setouchi International Art Festival awakened me to the joy of guiding. The more I learn about the Seto Inland Sea region, the more I am impressed by its life, history, architecture and art works. So, I would like to show you the spectacular scenery that you may have missed in guidebooks alone, and the sights that have yet to be introduced in guidebooks.
In Kagawa Prefecture, island tours are also very popular, such as Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujima, which are sacred places for contemporary art, and I think you can better understand the connection between the history of the islands and art by touring with a guide.
Of course, I would also like to introduce fresh harvest from the Seto Inland Sea, delicious local food, and shopping for folk crafts in the Takamatsu shopping arcade, which will satisfy you fully as a highlight of your journey.
Reviews
Samuel V.
“ART everywhere ”
It was a pleasure to meet Mika and have her show us the beautiful places on this island. She was very helpful in explaining certain nuances of the art works and the building architecture. She remained thoughtful and patient as we moved as a group through the various galleries.
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Mika S.
It was truly my honor to be your guide on Naoshima! Thanks to the beautiful weather, we were able to enjoy the lovely spring breeze together. I hope the rest of your journey in Japan is filled with many wonderful surprises and discoveries. Mika
Frances K.
“Kagawa Prefecture ”
Mika listened to our interests and had wonderful suggestions. We are ex theater people and she suggested we visit the oldest Kabuki theater in Kotohira, a place I had not known thru my research. A highlight. A guide who tries to get to know you an plan an itinerary, is a gem. Not only that, she is so kind and interesting. A truly personal experience.
Mika S.
Thank you for your kind review. I was truly flattered to accompany your curiosity, and knowing your background made our visit even more special. I’m honored that my guiding contributed to your adventure in Japan, and I hope you will return someday to explore more of Japan’s fascinating islands and the Seto Inland Sea again. Mika
Hope P.
“A Perfect Day”
My tour with Mika on Naoshima was an absolute highlight of my two-week trip to Japan. She is incredibly knowledgeable about this unique art island, as well as the artists and architects behind its remarkable museums and galleries. From the planning phase through the day of the tour, Mika was wonderfully accommodating and helpful. Her clear instructions made it easy for me to explore Naoshima on my own the next day and even visit a few highlights in Takamatsu, where I was staying. Mika’s insight, organization, and enthusiasm made the experience unforgettable. Thank you, Mika!
Mika S.
Reading your message truly made my day! Thank you for letting me share Naoshima’s art and architecture with you. Even though it was the busiest time of the year during the Triennale, we were able to appreciate the island thoroughly thanks to your enthusiasm for contemporary art. Wishing you many more inspiring journeys, and I hope you’ll visit Japan again someday! Mika
$253/ per group
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