I am addicted to traveling within Japan when I return to Japan.
This time, I would like to introduce a trip to the Seto Inland Sea, famous for the Setouchi International Art Festival (Art Setouchi).
I made a compact plan for 3 days and 2 nights, but with a few must-see spots.
Please visit us when you travel to Japan! Please go there.
The Setouchi Triennale is a triennale and is held every three years.
The next Triennale will be held in 2025, but even if you are not in the Triennale period, you can still appreciate the permanent museums and exhibits, and in fact, it may be recommended as it is rather empty.
3 Must-visits in Naoshim and Teshima
1. Teshima Art Museum
It is no exaggeration to say that I went to the Setouchi region to visit this place. It is a spot that should be visited at least once in your life, and a spot that I will definitely visit again in my life.
Two UFO-like buildings are tucked away on a green hill with a great view.
One is an art space and the other is a cafe and gallery.
Inside the art space, the light, sound, and air feel like a different space, and all five senses are sharpened.
Designed by Rei Naito and built by Ryue Nishizawa, the building itself is a work of art.
It is a place that cannot be explained in words, and even if it were put into words, it would not be understood at all, but only those who have been there will understand.
If you visit the Setouchi region, you should definitely stop by.
2. Chichu Art Museum
Claude Monet, Walter de Maria, and James Turrell, the Chichu Art Museum was designed by Tadao Ando with the premise of exhibiting the works of these three artists. As the name implies, the structure is as if it were buried in the ground.
What an amazing museum "built for the artworks to be exhibited"! I was so impressed with the museum that I sighed with delight.
The five paintings by Claude Monet are illuminated only by natural light from the ceiling and are very mysterious.
Walter De Maria's huge sphere (2.2 meters in diameter) is placed in the middle of the staircase and also illuminated by natural light, giving a different impression depending on the time of day when you view it.
And James Turrell, a favorite of mine, showed his well-known "Open Sky" (looking at the sky through a square with an open ceiling), as well as "Afram, pale blue" and "Open Field".
Be sure to stop by on your way from the parking lot to the museum.
3. Art House Project "MInamidera"
James Turrell lovers have to go!
This was another new attraction that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The building was designed by Tadao Ando.
We proceeded fearfully into the pitch-dark building with one hand in the hollow of the wall and the right hand touching the shoulder of the person in front of us, and when we all entered…….. I can't tell you content here. Please experience yourself!!!
Let's taste the "darkness" of James Turrell, the magician of light.
Naoshima - Teshima 3-day Art Trip
On the first day, take your time to recognize the geography while touring around Naoshima.
On the second day, take a day trip to Teshima.
On the third day, touring Naoshima again and head home.
In order to get around the island efficiently, a car is a must.
This article assumes that you will take your own car on the ferry to Naoshima and rent a car on Teshima.
In each island, you can rent a bicycle, motorcycle, car, bus, or cab (CAUTION: Teshima has only one!!!). Please combine these options according to your budget, time, and physical strength.
Many facilities on Naoshima are closed on Mondays, and many on Teshima are closed on Tuesdays (closed Tuesdays through Thursdays in winter), so please plan your itinerary accordingly.
DAY 1
| Duration | Activity | Detail |
| 20 min | Moving | Okayama Uno Port→Naoshima Miyaura Port 【Ferry】 |
| Lunch・Exploring・Appreciation | Lunch and exploring around Miyanoura area Highlights: 《Naoshima Pavilion》 《Red Pumpkin》 《BUNRAKU PUPPET》 《Setouchi Historical Museum / Miyanoura Gallery Rokuku》etc. | |
| 10 min | Moving | Move to 〈Chichu Art Museum〉 and park【Car】 |
| 5 min | Moving | To 〈Valley Gallery〉 【Private shuttle】 |
| Appreciation | 〈Valley Gallery〉（9:30am-4:00pm、Open every day） | |
| 2-3 min | Moving | Walk to 〈Lee Ufan Museum〉 |
| Appreciation | 〈Lee Ufan Museum〉（Mar-Sep 10:00am-6:00pm・Oct-Feb 10:00am-5:00pm、Closed Mon） | |
| 5 min | Moving | Shuttle or walk to 〈Chichu Art Museum〉 |
| Appreciation | 〈★Chichu Art Museum〉（Mar-Sep 10:00am-6:00pm・Oct-Feb 10:00am-5:00pm、Closed Mon） | |
| 10 min | Moving | Toward Miyanoura【Car】 |
| Dinner | Recommended: "Naoshima Hirame" "New Olympia" etc. | |
| Bathing | 《Naoshima Bath "I♥︎湯"》（1:00pm〜9:00pm、Closed Mon） |
Please check the official website for the latest information.
Ferry
Official website：Shikoku Kisen
Uno-Naoshima (Miyaura) Route *In this article, the ferry lands at Miyaura Port.
Uno-Naoshima (Honmura) Route
Uno-Naoshima (Kazato) Route
Valley Gallery
Official site: Benesse House 'Valley Gallery'
Location：North gate side of Benesse House Museum, Naoshima
Address：Kotodanchi, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa *Take a private shuttle from 'Chichu Art Museum'
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (last entry 3:30 pm)
Closed: Open every day
Ticket: Included in the Benesse House Museum entrance fee (you can buy this ticket at Benesse House Museum as well) *Available re-entry on same-day & next day
Lee Ufan Museum
Official site: Benesse House 'Lee Ufan Museum'
Location: Naoshima, Benesse House, North gate side
Address：1390 Aza-Kurauraura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa *Take a private shuttle from 'Chichu Art Museum'
Tel: 087-892-3754
Hours: Mar-Sep 10:00am-6:00pm (last entry 5:30pm), Oct-Feb 10:00am-5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Closed: Mondays
Tickets: Purchase on site on the day of visit
Chichu Art Museum
Official site: Benesse House 'Chichu Art Museum'
Location：Naoshima, Benesse House, North gate side
Address：3449-1, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa *Parking lot available
Phone: 087-892-3755
Hours: Mar-Sep 10:00am-6:00pm (last entry 5:00pm), Oct-Feb 10:00am-5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm)
Closed: Mondays
Tickets: Chichu Art Museum Online Ticket
Naoshima Bath "I♥湯"
Official site： Naoshima Bath "I♥湯"
Location：Naoshima, Miyanoura area
Address：2252-2, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone: 087-892-2626
Hours: 1:00pm-9:00pm (last entry 8:30pm)
Closed: Mondays
Tickets: Bath fee on site on the day of visit
DAY 2
Naoshima ↔ Teshima ferry service is 3 times a day, so checking the time & careful planning is very important.
| Duration | Activity | Detail |
| 9:20am-9:42am（22min） | Moving | Naoshima Miyaura Port→Teshima Ieura Port【Ferry】 |
| Rental car pickup | ||
| 10 min | Moving | To 〈Teshima Art Museum〉へ【Car】 |
| Appreciation | 〈★Teshima Art Museum〉 （Mar-Sep 10:00am-5:00pm (Last entry 4:30pm)・Oct-Feb 10:00am-4:00pm (Last entry 3:30pm)、Mar-Nov Closed Tue・Dec-Feb Closed Tue-Thu） | |
| 2-3 min | Moving | To Karato Port【Car】 |
| Exploring・Appreciation | Exploring in Karato area HIghlights：《Les Archives du Cœur》《Iobed & Bonds》〈Karabitsu Art Museum〉 | |
| 5 min | Moving | To Karabitsuokashukaijo and park【Car】 |
| Appreciation | Highlights：《Pipilotti List》《Aoki Noe》《Island Kitchen》《La forêt des murmures》《Aokino Forest》etc. | |
| 10 min | Moving | To Teshima Community Center and park【Car】 |
| 12 min | Moving | Head to〈Teshima Yokoo House〉へ |
| Appreciation | 〈Teshima Yokoo House〉（Mar 10:00am-11:30am / 12:30-5:00pm (Last entry 4:30pm)・Apr-Sep 10:00am-5:00pm・Oct-Feb 10:00am-4:00pm (Last entry 3:30pm)、Mar-Nov Closed Tue・Dec-Feb Closed Tue-Thu） | |
| 14 min | Moving | From〈Teshima Yokoo House〉to〈Needle Factory〉【Walk】 |
| Appreciation | 〈Needle Factory〉(10:30am-4:30pm、Closing days are fluid) | |
| 12 min | Moving | From Teshima Community Center to Ieura Port【Car】 |
| Rental car return | ||
| 4:17pm-4:39pm（22 min） | Moving | Teshima Ieura Port→Naoshima Miyaura Port【Ferry・LAST!!!】 |
| 10 min | Moving | Head to Benesse House East Gate and park around 'Naoshima Rest House "Tsutsuji-so" Lodge'【Car】 |
| 5 min | Moving | From "Tsutsuji-so" station to "Benesse House Museum" station【Private shuttle】 |
| Appreciation | 《Benesse House Museum》（8:00am-9:00pm (Last entry 8:00pm)、Open every day) | |
| 5 min | Moving | Return to "Tsutsuji-so" station【Private shuttle】 |
| Appreciation | 《Pumpkin》 by Yayoi Kusama |
Please check the official website for the latest information.
Ferry
Official Site：Shikoku Kisen
Naoshima (Miyaura)-Teshima (Ieura)-Inujima Route
Teshima Art Museum
Official site：Benesse House ’Teshima Art Museum'
Location：Teshima-Karato area
Address：607 Teshima-Karabitsu, Dojo-cho, Shodo-gun, Kagawa
Tel: 0879-68-3555
Hours: Mar-Sep 10:00am-5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm), Oct-Feb 10:00am-4:00pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Closed: Tuesdays (Mar-Nov), Tuesdays through Thursdays (Dec-Feb)
Tickets: Teshima Art Museum Online Ticket
Les Archives du Cœur
Official site：Benesse House 'Les Archives du Cœur'
Location：Teshima-Karabitsu area
Address: 2801-1 Teshima-Karabitsu, Dojo-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa
Tel: 0879-68-3555 (Teshima Art Museum)
Hours: Mar-Sep 10:00am-5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm), Oct-Feb 10:00am-4:00pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Closed: Tuesdays (Mar-Nov), Tuesdays through Thursdays (Dec-Feb)
Tickets: On-site on the day of admission
Teshima Yokoo House
Official site：Benesse House 'Teshima Yokoo House'
Location：Teshima Ieura area
Address: 2359 Ieura, Teshima, Dojo-cho, Shodo-gun, Kagawa
Tel: 0879-68-3555 (Teshima Art Museum)
Hours: March 10:00am-11:30am / 12:30-5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm), Apr-Sep 10:00am-5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm), Oct-Feb 10:00am-4:00pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Closed: Tuesdays (Mar-Nov), Tuesdays through Thursdays (Dec-Feb)
Tickets: On-site on the day of admission
Needle Factory
Official site：Benesse House 'Needle Factory'
Location：Teshima Ieura area
Address：1841-2, Nakamura, Ieura, Teshima, Dojo-cho, Shodo-gun, Kagawa
Tel: 0879-68-3555 (Teshima Art Museum)
Hours: 10:30am-4:30pm
Closed: Open daily, closed on weekends and holidays. Check the official website.
Tickets: On-site on the day of admission
Benesse House Museum
Official site: Benesse House Museum
Location：Naoshima, Benesse House, East Gate side
Address：Kotodanchi, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa *Take a private shuttle from "Tsutsuji-so" station.
Phone: 087-892-3223
Hours: 8:00am-9:00pm (last entry 8:00pm)
Closed: Open every day
Ticket: Included in the Vally Gallery entrance fee (you can buy this ticket at Valley Gallery as well) *Available re-entry on same-day & next day
DAY 3
| Duration | Activity | Detaili |
| 9:30am | Get a one time ticket for 〈Minamidera〉 at "Honmura Lounge & Archive" (9:30am-4:30pm, Closed Mon) | |
| Appreciation | 〈Minamidera〉(10:00am-4:30pm (Last entry 4:15pm)、Closed Mon) | |
| Exploring・Appreciation | Exploring in Motomura are Highlights：〈ANDO MUSEUM〉〈The Naoshima Plan「Water」〉〈Naoshima Port Terminal SANNA〉〈Naoshima Town Hall〉〈Naoshima Hall〉 Art House Project：「Go'o Shrine」「Ishibashi」「Haisha」「Kadoya」 | |
| Moving | Head to Benesse House East Gate and park around 'Naoshima Rest House "Tsutsuji-so" Lodge'【Car】 | |
| 5 min | Moving | From "Tsutsuji-so" station to "Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors" station【Private shuttle】 |
| Appreciation | 《Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors》(11:00am-3:00pm (last entry 2:00pm)、Open every day) | |
| 5 min | Moving | Return to "Tsutsuji-so" station【Private shuttle】 |
| 10 min | Moving | Head to Miyaura Port【Car】 |
| 20 min | Moving | Naoshima Miyaura Port→Okayama Uno Port【Ferry】 |
Please check the official website for the latest information.
Art House Project - Minamidera
Official site：Benesse House 'Art House Project'
Location：Naoshima, Honmura area
Address：607, Teshima Karato, Dojo-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa
Hours: 10:00am-4:30pm (last entry 4:15pm)
Closed: Mondays
Tickets: Purchase a house project ticket at "Honmura Lounge & Archive" and get a one time ticket for "Minamidera" (no advance reservations)
Honmura Lounge & Archive
Location: Naoshima, Honmura area
Address: 850-2, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone: 087-840-8273
Business hours: 9:30am-4:30pm
Closed: Mondays
ANDO MUSEUM
Official site：Benesse House 'ANDO MUSEUM'
Location：Naoshima, Honmura area
Address: 736-2, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa
Tel: 087-892-3754 (Fukutake Foundation)
Hours: 10:00-13:00 / 14:00-16:30 (last entry 4:00pm)
Closed: Mondays
Tickets: On-site on the day
Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors
Official site: Benesse House 'Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors'
Location: Naoshima, Benesse House, East Gate side
Address：Kotodanchi, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa *Take a private shuttle from 'Tsutsuji-so' station
Hours: 11:00am-3:00pm (last entry 2:00pm)
Closed: Open every day
Tickets: Online ticket (Tea and sweets are included)
Naoshima & Teshima Tourism Information
How to visit Naoshima
Naoshima is reached by ferry from Uno in Okayama Prefecture or Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture.
◉ [Okayama Airport] → Limousine bus (approx. 30 minutes) → [Okayama Station] → JR Uno Line (approx. 50 minutes) → [Uno Station] → walk (approx. 5 minutes) → [Uno Port
◉ [Takamatsu Airport] → Limousine bus (approx. 40 min) → [Takamatsu Station] → Walk (approx. 5 min) → [Takamatsu (Sunport)]
Accommodation & Food
I stayed at a two-storied old private house called Hoshikuzu inn.
It includes 2 tatami rooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 bath, laundry & dryer, kitchen & dining room, living room, and a tatami room (2F).
The inn can be rented out for a flat rate of 30,000 yen for up to four people (overnight stay without meals).
Hoshikuzu Inn by Ougiya
Official site：Ougiya 'Hoshikuzu inn'
Location: Miyanoura area. 5 minute walk from Miyanoura Port. One minute walk to the nearest convenience store (7-Eleven).
Address: 1974-3 Miyanoura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone: 087-813-2533
In Naoshima, in the Honmura area, there is the Japanese restaurant "Aisunao" in an old private house and the Italian restaurant "Luke's Pizza&Grill". In the Miyanoura area, I recommend Japanese food such as sashimi.
In Teshima, we wanted to go to "Island Kitchen" but we didn't have time, so I ordered at the cafe of Teshima Art Museum and ate outside on the lawn while looking at the ocean.
Aisunao
Official website：Aisunao (No English website) *It has a guest house as well.
Location：Honmura Area
Address：761-1 Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa
Phone: 087-892-3830
For preparation
If you wish to visit during the Setouchi Triennale, please visit in 2025.
The facilities and artworks introduced here can be viewed even if the art festival is not in session.
However, please note that the artworks and facilities here are constantly changing, so please check for the latest information.
Art Setouchi Official Website
Benesse Art Site Official Website
Naoshima Travel Information Official Website
Teshima Tourism Navi Official Website
Guide books & maps
You can pick up printed version in Naoshima and Teshima as well.
