Major city · Japan
Naoshima直島
Go for one night, two if you want both Chichu and the Art House Project without rushing. Skip Mondays: most museums close.
Naoshima is a 3,000-person island in the Seto Inland Sea, administered by Kagawa Prefecture but reached by ferry from Uno on Honshu or Takamatsu on Shikoku. It is a contemporary-art destination: Tadao Ando museums, the Art House Project in Honmura village, and outdoor works including the two gourds. One night covers the core; two nights lets you see both villages and the museums without a ferry-clock rush. Book beds and museum tickets before you travel.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Mondays (museums closed), mid-August, typhoon season Sep
- Airports
- TAK · OKJ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Naoshima110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Naoshima, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe; the real risks are the ferry timetable, Monday closures and heat on the hill walk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTAK Takamatsu Airport (Bus to Takamatsu port, then ferry to Miyanoura, about 1 h 30 min total).
- Getting aroundThe island is small and hilly: Miyanoura port to Chichu is about 30 min on foot, Miyanoura to Honmura about 30 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a light lunchMany kitchens close early.¥600–1,200 (≈ US$5–9)
- Metro or bus rideTown bus ride¥100 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketChichu Art Museum entry¥2,060 (≈ US$14)
- Budget bedGuesthouse dormitory bed, a night, per person¥2,500 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in a guesthouse, a night, per room¥10,000 (≈ US$70)
- High-end bedPrivate room in a guesthouse, a night, per room¥16,000 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TAK Takamatsu Airport (Bus to Takamatsu port, then ferry to Miyanoura, about 1 h 30 min total) · OKJ Okayama Airport (Bus to Okayama station, train to Uno, then ferry; about 2 h 30 min total)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Aug–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Naoshima: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The island is small and hilly: Miyanoura port to Chichu is about 30 min on foot, Miyanoura to Honmura about 30 min. Rent a bicycle (about ¥500/day push, ¥1,000/day electric) or use the town bus (¥100, timed to ferries, not frequent). The Benesse House shuttle links the southern sights about every 30 min; check the current timetable.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Teshima
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Ferry from Miyanoura or Honmura, about 20–30 min
Teshima Art Museum and a quieter island; check the day's sailings first.
Takamatsu
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Ferry from Miyanoura, about 50 min–1 h
Ritsurin Garden and the port's noodle shops; an easy onward base.
Shodoshima
overnightDoor to door: 2–3 h
Ferry via Takamatsu or a seasonal direct sailing
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Kotohira
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Ferry to Takamatsu, then JR to Kotohira
The shrine steps are a full half day; combine with a Takamatsu night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Miyanoura
Main port; guesthouses, the bath house, 7-Eleven and the 24 h ferry link. Best for a one-night trip with bags.
Honmura
Art House Project village on the east side; quieter, closer to the Ando Museum and the eastern ferry pier.
Benesse / Tsutsuji-so
South coast near the museums; Benesse House hotel and the yurt lodges. Few shops, so eat where you sleep.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–9,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥9,000–15,000 (≈ US$65–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in a guesthouse1 × 1 night × ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Ferry Uno → Miyanoura, both ways2 × ¥600 | ¥1,200 |
| Town bus, one day2 × ¥200 | ¥400 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × ¥500 | ¥1,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,760 |
| Trip total≈ ¥20,680 per person per day, bed included | ¥41,360≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yen; ferry and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chichu Art Museum entry | ¥2,060 (≈ US$14) |
| Benesse House Museum entry | ¥1,030 (≈ US$7) |
| Art House Project, six housesKinza is separate at ¥510 | ¥1,030 (≈ US$7) |
| Naoshima Bath House I ♥ Yu | ¥510 (≈ US$4) adult |
| Town bus ride | ¥100 (≈ under US$1) |
| Coffee or a light lunchMany kitchens close early. | ¥600–1,200 (≈ US$5–9) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most museums and the Art House Project close on Mondays and on the day after a public holiday: plan around it.
- Museum tickets are dated or timed at busy periods and Chichu tickets are bought at a separate ticket centre about 50 m away: check the official site before you sail.
- Many guesthouses and shops take cash only and close early; carry yen and eat before 19:00.Many guesthouses and shops take cash only and close early; carry yen and eat before 7:00 PM.
- Last ferries leave in the early evening: confirm the day's timetable at the port, not from memory.
- The road from Miyanoura up to Chichu is a steady climb; an electric bike or the bus saves the walk.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Naoshima直島
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies on the island; most are in Tokyo, with consulates in Osaka. US citizens: consulate-general in Osaka (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Uno → Miyanoura: about ¥300 (≈ US$3), 15–20 min
- Ferry Takamatsu → Miyanoura: about ¥520 (≈ US$4), 50 min–1 h
- Town bus, Miyanoura → Tsutsuji-so: ¥100 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Ferries are the only way on and off; confirm the last sailing before you book a bed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Naoshima. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Mondays (museums closed), mid-August, typhoon season Sep · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract: last sailings from Miyanoura and Honmura field-checked, plus a Takamatsu fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Miyanoura, Honmura, Chichu/Benesse, Tsutsuji-so.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Chichu, Benesse House Museum, Lee Ufan, Art House Project, I ♥ Yu) and eat pages with last orders.
- Monday and holiday-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.