Naoshima Island, Japan One Day Itinerary

Naoshima, one of the Art Islands in central Japan, is the perfect place to spend a day between Hiroshima and Osaka during your Japan itinerary. Not only can you experience laid-back, rural island life, but you can also explore the many museums and sculptures during your Naoshima one-day itinerary. You may even recognize some famous art pieces, like Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkins!

Because of its small size, it’s possible to get everywhere in Naoshima on foot or by bike. During one day in Naoshima, you can see all the highlights of Japan’s art island. It’s also definitely worth staying overnight here, so be sure to check out my list of artsy and unique Naoshima accommodation too.

Note before we begin: Almost every museum on Naoshima is closed on Mondays. This Naoshima one-day itinerary cannot be accomplished on a Monday!

How To Get To Naoshima

Take the ferry from Uno Port to reach Naoshima to start your one day in Naoshima itinerary. Although the ferry is not covered by the JR Pass, the trains to reach Uno Port from Okayama are all JR local trains.

Okayama is between Hiroshima and Osaka, so you can take the shinkansen from either city to Okayama Station. From there, take the Uno JR line to Uno Station. If you are traveling with the Seisshun 18 Kippu, you can take the JR Sanyo trains until Okayama Station.

From Uno station, walk straight out of the station exit towards the shore until you see a building with a red sign – this is where the Naoshima ferry tickets are sold.

Naoshima Island’s Miyanoura vs Honmura Port

From Uno, ferries to Naoshima’s Miyanoura Port depart about once every hour. Ferries to Naoshima’s smaller Honmura Port depart five times per day. The last ferry to Miyanoura is at 20:25, and the last ferry to Honmura is at 18:35. See the full schedule for both ports here.

Be sure to check before you depart, which Naoshima port is closer to your Naoshima accommodation (it takes about 20-30 minutes to walk from one port to the other.)

If you stay in Uno instead of on Naoshima, the ferries run frequently enough that you can easily do a Naoshima one-day trip.

If you have time to kill before your Naoshima ferry, admire some of the artwork around Uno port and Uno JR Station.

There is also a very useful information center at the Uno Port. Here, you can purchase Setouchi Triennale passbooks (if the once-every-three-years art exhibit is on) and schedule some museum visits that need reservations made in advance. The information center also has many helpful pamphlets about Naoshima and the surrounding Art Islands.

A little bit of Studio Ghibli in this sculpture?

Naoshima Accommodation – Where To Stay For Your One Day in Naoshima Itinerary

Naoshima is a small enough island that staying in any neighborhood will give you a great experience. You’ll feel like you’re living in Japan from 50 years ago. Traditional island life on Naoshima means living in well-preserved Japanese-style homes. Expect to sleep on a futon in a traditional tatami room!

Many Naoshima accommodation options have an artsy twist that comes with living on an Art Island. Be sure to check out my full list here, but some options include:

• Sana mane – a luxurious domed tent village near the shore. These glamping domes are on my list of weirdest hotels in Japan!
• Wright Style – Scandi minimalistic with an attached Italian restaurant
• Sparky’s Rooms – Self-contained container rooms with everything you need in a hotel

To stay in a hostel with dorm rooms during your Naoshima itinerary, check out Naoshima Backpacker’s Guesthouse or Bamboo Village.

Afternoon – Honmura Port and Naoshima Art House Projects (2.5-3 hours)

There are many places to explore on the Honmura side of Naoshima island. The highlights are the following:

• The Art House Project is a collection of seven old or abandoned residential houses that were transformed into art spaces. They embody what Naoshima itself is about: combining “traditional” with “modern.” Each Art House Project is completely different from the next, and it’s worth visiting all of them. Tickets to all arthouses costs ¥1030 ($9.50 USD) and can be purchased at the Honmura Lounge & Archive (this excludes Kinza which is reserved and paid for separately).

 

• The ANDO MUSEUM is a popular museum celebrating Tadao Ando, which is located inside a 100-year-old Japanese home. The inside has been transformed with thick concrete walls and divided into chambers. Exhibits showcase the history of Naoshima and the work of Tadao Ando. Tickets are ¥510 per person and can be bought at the door.
• The Honmura Lounge & Archives is a great place to relax and unwind, or get some gift shopping done. There are many facilities here including couches, books, and a bathroom to take a break from admiring art and architecture.

• The Naoshima Plan 2019 水 (symbol for water) was one of my favorite museums because in the heat of the summer, I could dip my feet in the cool water there. It also included a beautiful Japanese garden, a traditional home interior, and visitors were free to take pictures.
• Naoshima Hall is a community space for the locals on the island. It’s free to enter and have a look around the large space and gardens that are used for theater and other performances.

Late Afternoon, Miyanoura Port (1 hour)

The last stop on your Naoshima one-day itinerary will be Miyanoura Port. It can be reached by bus from Honmura for ¥100 per person, but it only takes 20-30 minutes to walk.

At Miyanoura, there are a few permanent exhibits and statues that you can see for free, including Yayoi Kusama’s red pumpkin. The main information center at the pier is also known for its architecture, and has two gift shops and a small cafe inside.

Be sure to check out the Naoshima Bath house, “I <3 湯”. The exterior is quirky as can be, patched together with several random items. Admission to take a bath costs ¥650 per adult, and ¥350 for children 15 and under. The bathhouse is open from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

It takes about one hour to see everything around Miyanoura Port, if you take your time. If you visit the bathhouse, expect to stay another hour or more there.

Evening – Ferry back to Uno

The last ferries from Miyanoura Port depart at 5:00 p.m. to Takamatsu, and 8:25 p.m. to Uno Port.

From Uno, it’s possible to head to your next destination in Japan, be it Hiroshima, Osaka, or Kobe. If you want to go from Naoshima to Teshima, it’s best to stay overnight and take an early morning ferry to Teshima.

From Naoshima to the other islands like Teshima, Inujima, and Shodoshima, there are few ferries, so it’s best to check ahead of time. For example, the last ferry from Naoshima to the second most popular art island, Teshima, is at 2:50 pm. From Naoshima to Inujima, there are only three ferry departures at 9:20 a.m, 12:10 p.m., and 2:50 p.m.