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Naoshima Island is Japan’s artwork sanctuary! This small island, nestled between Hiroshima and Kyoto, is a worldwide sensation because of its unimaginable assortment of recent artwork museums, distinctive structure, and putting sculptures (together with the long-lasting yellow pumpkin!). You may need even seen the island featured in Condé Nast Traveler as a “must-visit” vacation spot! And after the excitement surrounding the 2019 Setouchi Triennale Up to date Artwork Pageant, Naoshima’s recognition exploded.
A few of Noashima’s most well-known artwork contains the immediately recognizable Pink and Yellow Pumpkins by the legendary Yayoi Kusama. Past these well-known items, you’ll discover fascinating museums just like the Chichu Artwork Museum and the Benesse Home Museum. However Naoshima provides extra than simply artwork; it’s a spot of pure magnificence, with gorgeous seashores, rolling mountains, and a captivating city.
Attending to this island paradise in Japan is an journey in itself! Since Naoshima doesn’t have an airport, your journey begins with a scenic ferry journey. Ferries depart from a number of ports, carrying you to one among Naoshima’s two harbors. On this article, we’ll information you thru the varied methods to achieve this charming island, so let’s go!
Tips on how to get to Naoshima Island
There are two foremost methods to get to Naoshima: by taking the prepare to Okayama after which by boat, or by taking a flight or prepare to Takamatsu after which by boat. Each choices have execs and cons relying on the way you prioritize price range, time, and scenic views.
The most well-liked means is from Okayama and taking the ferry from Uno Port. Common ferry service is out there from the Uno Port to the Miyanoura Port, the primary gateway on Naoshima. From Uno Port, it solely takes 20 minutes by ferry to get to Naoshima Island.
However preserve studying as a result of we’ll define all of the choices so you may select the perfect one for you!
Through Okayama Station – The Least expensive Choice
1. Tips on how to get to Okayama Station
From Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya or Tokyo (cities east of Okayama)
All aboard the Shinkansen (bullet prepare)! Except you journey immediately from Osaka, you need to change trains at Shin-Osaka. From Shin-Osaka Station, you may journey to Okayama Station, and it’ll take about 50 minutes by Nozomi, Mizuho, or Sakura and 70 minutes by Hikari.
You’ll be able to verify estimated route occasions within the desk under for the totally different bullet trains you may take from the cities east of Okayama:
| Bullet Prepare Routes | Time |
| From Shin-Osaka to Okayama | -about 50 minutes (Nozomi, Mizuho, or Sakura) -about 70 minutes (Hikari or Kodama) |
| From Kyoto to Okayama | -about 60 minutes (Nozomi) -more than 60 minutes (Hikari to Shin-Osaka and Sakura from Shin-Osaka/Shin-Kobe) -about 90 minutes (Hikari) |
| From Nagoya to Okayama | -about 100 minutes (Nozomi) -more than 110 minutes (Hikari to Shin-Osaka and Sakura from Shin-Osaka/Shin-Kobe) -about 130 minutes (Hikari) |
| From Shin-Yokohama to Okayama | -about 180 minutes (Nozomi) -more than 220 minutes (Hikari to Shin-Osaka and Sakura from Shin-Osaka/Shin-Kobe) -about 250 minutes (Hikari) |
| From Tokyo to Okayama | -about 200 minutes (Nozomi) -more than 230 minutes (Hikari to Shin-Osaka and Sakura from Shin-Osaka/Shin-Kobe) -about 260 minutes (by Hikari) |
From Hiroshima or Hakata (cities west of Okayama)
In the event you come from Hiroshima or any space west from Okayama, your finest guess can be taking a bullet prepare.
You’ll be able to verify estimated route occasions within the desk under for the totally different bullet trains you may take from the cities west of Okayama:
| Bullet Prepare Routes | Time |
| From Hiroshima to Okayama | -about 40 minutes (Nozomi, Mizuho, or Sakura) -more than 70 minutes (Hikari or Kodama) |
| From Hakata to Okayama | -about 110 minutes (Nozomi, Mizuho, or Sakura) -more than 160 minutes (Hikari or Kodama) |
2. Okayama station to Uno Port
There are two methods to get to Uno Port:
Take the JR prepare to Uno Station and stroll to Uno Port
Need to save somewhat cash attending to Uno Port? The JR prepare is your finest guess, particularly you probably have a Japan Rail Go! From Okayama Station, hop on the JR Uno Line. Generally it’s a direct journey to Uno Station, however different occasions you would possibly have to switch at Chayamachi Station so ensure to verify the schedule. When you arrive at Uno Station, it’s a simple 5-minute stroll to the port.
Prices ¥590
Journey time approx. 50-60 min.
Take Ryobi Categorical Bus from Okayama to Uno Port
The opposite means is taking the Ryobi Categorical Bus from Okayama Station to Uno Port. Simply head to bus cease quantity 2 on the station and hop on!
A fast tip: these buses can replenish, so arriving somewhat early to snag a seat is a good suggestion. And tremendous essential – be sure to’re getting on the categorical bus. There’s a common bus that additionally goes to Uno Port, nevertheless it takes a for much longer route, including about half-hour to your journey time.
Prices ¥660
Journey time approx. 60 min.
3. Uno Port to Naoshima Island
Naoshima has two public ferry ports on the island: Miyanoura and Honmura. The primary port for vacationers in Naoshima is Miyanoura. From Uno Port, you may take a 20 minute ferry journey or a 15 minute pace boat journey operated by Shikoku Kisen. The very best factor is that they’re each priced the identical, so you may take whichever one you favor!
Prices ¥300 (a method)
Travelling time approx. 15-20 min.
Examine the ferry and pace boat timetable right here
Additional data:
- On the pace boat, generally you would possibly wrestle to search out sufficient house in your baggage.
- It’s a 5 min. stroll from ticket heart to boarding piers for the pace boat.
- There are two ports in Naoshima. Miyanoura Port and Honmura Port.
Honmura Port is way smaller port than Miyanoura Port and is positioned in Honmura, the middle of Naoshima, near Artwork Home Undertaking. Nevertheless, the port itself is so small and primarily for residents. We suggest you’re taking the boat to Miyanoura Port, particularly if it’s your first time in Naoshima.
Through Takamatsu – The Comfy Means
1. Fly to Takamatsu Airport
From Tokyo: You’ll be able to catch a airplane from Haneda or Narita Airport to Takamatsu Airport and go to Takamatsu Port from there immediately. There are greater than 10 flights working each day from Haneda and some extra from Narita. The flight takes about 1 hour and can set you again wherever from ¥5,000-¥20,000 one-way.
From Okinawa: there is only one flight from Okinawa’s Naha Airport to Takamatsu Airport per day. The flight takes roughly 2 hours.
From Overseas: There are a number of direct worldwide flights to Takamatsu Airport too, these embrace cities like Hong Kong, Taipei, or Seoul.
2. Takamatsu Airport to Takamatsu Port
After getting off the airplane, you may take an Airport Limousine Bus (operated by Kotoden Bus) to Takamatsu Station and from there stroll a couple of minutes to Takamatsu Port.
Prices ¥1000
Travelling time approx. 65 min.
Examine the timetable right here
Various: Journey to Takamatsu Port by prepare
Another choice for reaching Takamatsu Port from Tokyo, Kyoto or different cities, is taking the prepare. That is in all probability your only option while you maintain a Japan Rail Go or while you journey from Kyoto. Consider it or not, many individuals take pleasure in this manner probably the most due to the superb sea views. Nevertheless, it takes a bit longer. Your journey plan would appear like this:
- Take the bullet prepare to Okayama.
- From Okayama take the Marine Liner categorical certain for Takamatsu.
- From Takamatsu station stroll a couple of minutes to Takamutsu Port.
3. Takamatsu Port to Naoshima Island
There are fewer companies working from Takamatsu Port in comparison with Uno Port, however you may take a ferry or pace boat operated by Shikoku Kisen to go to Miyanoura Port in Naoshima.
Ferry prices ¥520 (a method)
Journey time approx. 50 min.
Speedboat prices ¥1,220 (a method)
Journey time approx. 25 min.
Examine each timetables right here
Travelling Round on Naoshima Island
To take pleasure in all the great that Naoshima Island has to supply, we suggest you spend no less than 1 night time on the island. Despite the fact that the island is just 5 km throughout, there’s a lot to see and on this means you’ll be able to see the whole lot and discover the island on a relaxed tempo. There are a number of methods of getting across the island, there are busses, taxi’s, or you may hire a bicycle or make your means round on foot. As talked about earlier than Naoshima is just about 5 km throughout so it’s comparatively simple to discover.
By Bus
Naoshima’s museums and artwork installations are positioned on the southern a part of the island. From Miyanoura Port one or two buses per hour depart for Tsutsuji-so (the museum space), making a brief cease at Nokyo-mae, the place the Artwork Home Undertaking / ANDO MUSEUM are positioned. The drive from Miyanoura Port to Tsutsuji-so takes about quarter-hour and the ticket will prices you ¥100.
From Tsutsuji-so bus cease you may catch a free shuttle bus to the Benesse Home, the Lee Ufan Museum and the Chichu Artwork Museum.
By Bicycle
Our suggestion is to hire a bicycle, this manner you may cowl much more floor simply. There are a lot of rental retailers simply throughout from Miyanoura ferry pier, renting out each pedal bicycles in addition to electrical bicycles. Rental prices shall be roughly ¥500 (pedal bicycle) to ¥1,500 (electrical bicycle) for the complete day. There are a number of hills you’ll encounter throughout your journey to Naoshima, so we propose splurging for an electrical bike!
By now you will have a good suggestion of easy methods to plan you journey to the particular up to date artwork island of Naoshima. Will you add a visit to this particular island to your journey plans? In case you have any inquiry about Naoshima, please contact us. We’re glad that can assist you make your journey to Japan even higher!
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