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Yellow pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama in Naoshima
OSAKA / KYOTO → NAOSHIMA · THE ISLAND OF ART

Naoshima, the island of art

Architecture by Tadao Ando and Yayoi Kusama's pumpkins facing the Seto Sea

A small island in the Seto Inland Sea turned into one of the most unique contemporary art destinations in the world: museums carved into the hill, traditional houses transformed into works of art, and Yayoi Kusama's pumpkins facing the water.

From Osaka or Kyoto · also possible from both cities
Approx. 1.5 hours · train + ferry to Naoshima
Option A
Full day from Osaka or Kyoto

Depart in the morning, ferry to the island, a tour of the museums and pumpkins of Kusama, and return the same day.

1
MIYANOURA PORT

Arrival in Naoshima

Depart by train from Osaka or Kyoto, with a ferry connection to the port of Miyanoura, in Naoshima. The Naoshima ferry itself, with its polka-dotted hull, is already a preview of the island's artistic spirit.

Approx. 1.5 hours from Osaka/Kyoto Recommended: leave early
Bus or bicycle to the south of the island
2
Interior of the Chichu Art Museum, with the sphere by Walter De Maria
CHICHU ART MUSEUM

Chichu Art Museum

Designed by Tadao Ando and built almost entirely underground so as not to disturb the landscape of the Seto Sea. Inside, natural light constantly changes the perception of works by Claude Monet, James Turrell and Walter De Maria — including the large black sphere that presides over the main room.

Early booking required Closed on Mondays
Short walk along the coast
3
Interior of the Benesse House Museum
BENESSE HOUSE MUSEUM

Benesse House Museum

The museum that gave rise to the entire Naoshima artistic project: a building-hotel designed by Ando where contemporary art, architecture and the landscape of the Inland Sea coexist without clear borders between them.

Art + architecture + landscape
Bus to the town of Honor
4
Go'o Shrine glass staircase, part of the Art House Project
ART HOUSE PROJECT

Art House Project — the town turned into a gallery

In the Honmura neighborhood, several abandoned traditional houses were transformed by different artists into permanent works of art. One of the most unique is the Go'o Shrine, where Hiroshi Sugimoto replaced a stone staircase with a glass one, connecting the shrine to an underground chamber.

Several construction houses in the same neighborhood Walking tour
Bus back to the south of the island
5
LEE UFAN MUSEUM

Lee Ufan Museum

Another collaboration between artist Lee Ufan and Tadao Ando: a space of stone, iron and concrete where emptiness and silence are as important as the sculptures themselves. A serene counterpoint after the visual intensity of the Art House Project.

Dialogue between stone, iron and space
Return to Miyanoura port
6
Yayoi Kusama's yellow pumpkin on the pier
YELLOW PUMPKIN

Kusama's yellow pumpkin

On a small pier jutting out into the Seto Sea, Yayoi Kusama's yellow pumpkin with black polka dots has become the undisputed symbol of Naoshima — and one of the most sought-after photos on the entire island.

The Naoshima icon
Short walk along the harbor
7
Yayoi Kusama red pumpkin at Naoshima port
RED PUMPKIN

Kusama's red pumpkin

Closer to the main port, its red sister welcomes those who arrive and says goodbye to those who leave the island. Unlike the yellow one, this pumpkin can be walked inside, through its circular openings.

You can enter inside
Ferry + train back to Osaka or Kyoto
8
OSAKA / KYOTO

Return the same day

Return ferry from Miyanoura and connecting train to Osaka or Kyoto, arriving in the city in the late afternoon or early evening.

Option B
Naoshima + Teshima + Kurashiki — 2 days, 1 night

The same artistic tour of Naoshima on the first day, with a night in the island's port. The next day, neighboring Teshima and the historic town of Kurashiki before returning to Osaka.

Day 1 — Naoshima
1
NAOSHIMA

The same route as Option A

Depart from Osaka or Kyoto, ferry to Naoshima, and the same circuit of museums and pumpkins: Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum, Art House Project, Lee Ufan Museum, the yellow pumpkin and the red pumpkin of Kusama.

Night in accommodation next to the Naoshima port
Day 2 — Teshima and Kurashiki
2
Panoramic view of the Seto Sea from Teshima
TESHIMA

Teshima — the neighboring island

A short ferry ride takes you to Teshima, known for its terraced agricultural landscapes and open views of the Seto Inland Sea — a calm, green contrast to the artistic intensity of Naoshima.

Short ferry from Naoshima
Ferry and train to Kurashiki, on the coast of Okayama
3
Kurashiki Historic District with Canal Boat Ride
KURASHIKI BIKAN

Kurashiki — the historic neighborhood

Old rice warehouses with white walls and dark tiles line a canal flanked by weeping willows. A traditional boat ride, rowed by a boatman, is the most leisurely way to explore this Edo-era merchant district.

Boat ride on the canal Shops and cafes in the old cellars
Train back to Osaka
4
OSAKA

Return to Osaka

Closing the two-day tour with the return by train to Osaka in the late afternoon.

Options and prices

The Naoshima tour can be done in the day, or combined with Teshima and Kurashiki on a two-day tour with one night on the island.

Option A
Naoshima — full day
USD525
per group (up to 5 people)
  • Private English-speaking guide, full day
  • Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum, Art House Project and Lee Ufan Museum
  • Yellow Pumpkin and Red Kusama Pumpkin
  • Client transportation (train, ferry, bus within the island)
  • Museum tickets and meals
Option B
Naoshima + Teshima + Kurashiki — 2 days, 1 night
USD899
per group (up to 5 people)
  • Private English-speaking guide, both days
  • Day 1: Full tour of Naoshima
  • Day 2: Teshima and the historic Kurashiki neighborhood
  • Accommodation in Naoshima (coordinated and billed separately)
  • Client transportation, museum tickets and meals
Note: Neither price includes the client's transportation costs (local train, ferry and bus) or entrance fees to the museums. In the combined option, accommodation in Naoshima is arranged as part of the service, but its cost is charged separately from the tour price.

Transparent price

One price for your entire group

TOTAL PRICE OF THE GROUP · NOT PER PERSON
You pay a single rate for all travelers in the group:

1 personUSD 414
2–5 peopleUS$525
6–10 peopleUS$599
11–15 peopleUS$725
16–20 peopleUSD 925

More than 20 people: request a quote. Payment is made in USD; Any amount in EUR is for reference only. Transportation, entrance fees and meals are not included unless expressly indicated.

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