JP · Kagawa Prefecture · 34.46°N 133.98°E

naoshima

Art island in the Seto Inland Sea: Kusama's yellow pumpkin and Tadao Ando museums.

Best time
Spring and autumn for mild weather and easy cycling. The Setouchi Triennale art festival, held every three years, brings extra art and much bigger crowds.
How long
1 day, or 2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly to Kansai International (about 6.5 hours from KL). Take the shinkansen to Okayama (about 45 minutes from Shin-Osaka), local trains to Uno (about an hour), then the ferry to Miyanoura port (about 20 minutes). Ferries also run from Takamatsu.
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JP · Kagawa Prefecturenaoshima34.46°N 133.98°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Art island in the Seto Inland Sea: Kusama's yellow pumpkin and Tadao Ando museums.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingNaoshimaJP, Kagawa Prefecture
KLnaoshima
≈ 4,822 km from KL, as the crow flies
恵美須神社鳥居。琴弾地海水浴場。直島。香川県。

Photo: Japanexperterna.se · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small island in the Seto Inland Sea turned into an open-air art gallery by the Benesse group. You'll find Tadao Ando's concrete museums set into the hills, Yayoi Kusama's polka-dot pumpkins by the shore and old village houses turned into art projects.

Makan

  1. Sanuki udonIf you travel via Takamatsu, Kagawa's springy wheat noodles are the thing to eat.Map ↗
  2. Okayama fruitOkayama is famous for white peaches and muscat grapes in summer.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Chichu Art MuseumTadao Ando's museum built into the hillside, with Monet's Water Lilies and James Turrell light works.Map ↗
  2. Yellow PumpkinKusama's spotted pumpkin on a pier by the sea. There's a red one at Miyanoura port too.Map ↗
  3. Benesse House MuseumA museum and hotel by Ando, with art inside and out along the beach.Map ↗
  4. Art House ProjectOld houses and a shrine in Honmura village turned into art installations.Map ↗
  5. I Love YuA working public bathhouse that is also a wild, colourful art piece.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book Chichu Art Museum tickets online ahead. Entry is by timed slot.
  • Many museums close one day a week, usually Monday, so check before you plan your day.
  • The island is hilly and the buses are small. Rent an electric bike near the port.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.