Enjoy a smooth journey to Naoshima Art Island on a 1 day bus tour covering major highlights like Benesse House Museum and Honmura. Travel conveniently with Shinkansen access from major cities or join from Okayama, fully guided by an English speaking expert.
Options
From Kyoto with Shinkansen Tickets
From Osaka with Shinkansen Tickets
From Hiroshima with Shinkansen Tickets
From Okayama
The Highlight
- Discover Naoshima the world famous art island on a hassle free day trip
- Includes round trip Shinkansen tickets to Okayama for Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima departures
- Our staff will be available at Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, or Hiroshima Station to assist you with boarding the Shinkansen smoothly (Please note they will not accompany you on the train journey)
- Meet your tour guide directly at Okayama Station for the Okayama departure plan
- Explore Benesse House Museum and Valley Gallery while admiring Yayoi Kusama iconic Yellow Pumpkin
- Enjoy free time in Honmura and capture photos at Red Pumpkin and Naoshima Pavilion before returning
The Experience
IMPORTANT NOTICE: OPTIONAL VISIT TO CHICHU ART MUSEUM ・Free time is available in the Benesse Area from 1:00 PM to 3:25 PM (includes Benesse House Museum, Valley Gallery, and time for lunch at your own expense). ・Chichu Art Museum tickets are NOT included in this tour. ・If you wish to visit during free time, please book online in advance via the official website (account registration required). Early booking is strongly recommended as tickets sell out quickly. ・Recommended Entry Slot: 14:30
＜An Unforgettable Journey to Japan’s Art Island＞ Depart hassle-free with Shinkansen access from Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, or Hiroshima, or join us directly at Okayama Station. Travel comfortably to Naoshima by dedicated bus and public ferry, fully accompanied by our English-speaking guide for a stress-free day trip.
・Honmura Area and House Project Stroll through a charming seaside village filled with traditional wooden houses and narrow, picturesque alleys. In this area, you will find the Art House Project—a unique initiative transforming vacant traditional houses and temples into art spaces—as well as the newly opened Naoshima New Museum of Art. Please note that admission tickets to these sites are not included in the tour price. If you wish to explore inside these spaces, tickets can be purchased online on the day of the tour by creating an official Benesse account in advance (please note that certain sites require advance reservation).
Operating hours for Art House Project sites: Haisha, Kadoya, Ishibashi: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Go'o Shrine, Gokaisho: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM / 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
・Yayoi Kusama Yellow Pumpkin Visit one of the most celebrated icons of modern art positioned dramatically on a pier against the Seto Inland Sea. Take unforgettable photos with this world-famous polka-dot masterpiece before heading to the Benesse Area.
・Benesse House Museum, Valley Gallery, and Free Lunch Time Discover an extraordinary fusion of world-class contemporary art and beautiful coastal nature. Enjoy included entry to inspiring indoor and outdoor museum exhibits seamlessly integrated into the natural seaside landscape at Benesse House Museum and Valley Gallery. During your stay in this area, you will also have free time to enjoy lunch at the museum cafe at your own expense.
For guests wishing to visit the Chichu Art Museum independently during free time, please see the Important Notice above.
・Red Pumpkin and Naoshima Pavilion Conclude your island adventure near Miyanoura Port with striking interactive art installations. Walk inside the famous hollow Red Pumpkin and admire the white geometric mesh structure of Naoshima Pavilion before heading back.
※The itinerary is subject to minor changes due to traffic, weather, or operational reasons. ※Due to traffic or other reasons, the duration of visits at each destination may be shortened, and arrival times may be delayed.
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
Itinerary
- 08:00Meet our staff at Kyoto Station (Shinkansen departs at 8:26 AM)
- 08:15Meet our staff at Shin-Osaka Station (Shinkansen departs at 8:41 AM)
- 08:15Meet our staff at Hiroshima Station (Shinkansen departs at 8:43 AM)
- Arrive at Okayama Station (9:19 AM for Hiroshima departure / 9:25 AM for Kyoto and Shin-Osaka departure)
- 09:20Meet your tour guide at Okayama Station (Shinkansen Ticket Gate on 2nd Floor)
- 09:40Travel from Okayama Station to Uno Port by dedicated bus, then take the public ferry to Naoshima Miyanoura Port (Ferry fee is included / 60 minutes)
- Honmura Area exploration（40 minutes） Stroll through the historic village (Art House Project & Naoshima New Museum of Art nearby; tickets not included). Tickets can be bought online on the day via an official Benesse account (some sites require advance booking).
- Yellow Pumpkin, Benesse Area & Free Lunch Time（170 minutes） Photo stop at Yellow Pumpkin, then visit Benesse House Museum & Valley Gallery (admission included). Free time for lunch at your own expense. Optional: Visit Chichu Art Museum via free shuttle bus (tickets not included; advance booking for 14:30 slot recommended).
- Miyanoura Port Area: Red Pumpkin, Naoshima Pavilion, and shopping (25 minutes)
- 16:35Return transfer to Okayama Station by public ferry and dedicated bus (Ferry fee is included / 85 minutes)
- 18:00Arrive at Okayama Station (End of tour for Okayama departure plan)
- Board the Shinkansen at Okayama Station (6:40 PM for Shin-Osaka and Kyoto / 6:47 PM for Hiroshima)
- 19:23Arrive at Hiroshima Station
- 19:28Arrive at Shin-Osaka Station
- 19:43Arrive at Kyoto Station
Price Details
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
- This is not a private tour, you will enjoy the tour with other guests together.
- We might cancel the tour if we do not have at least 20 participants by 1 month before the scheduled departure.
- Please note that wheelchair is not accessible.
- This tour involves a lot of walking. If you have trouble walking, we advise you not to book this tour.
Important Booking Information
Customer Guidelines:
- Please arrive at the meeting location 15 minutes prior to the departure time.
- IMPORTANT: The bus will depart according to the schedule and will not wait for late arrivals.
- The schedule is subject to change without prior notice.
- Due to traffic or other reasons, the duration of visits at each destination may be shortened, and arrival times may be delayed.
- Refunds will not be provided if you fail to arrive at the meeting location on time (no show).
- In the event of a natural disaster, such as a typhoon, the tour will be canceled, and a full refund will be issued.
- Wearing your seatbelt is mandatory while the bus is in motion due to legal regulations.
- Please personally take responsibility for your valuables.
- We can accommodate your luggage and keep it in the bus luggage compartment during the tour.
Note: These guidelines are provided to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Thank you for your cooperation.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 11 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 8 ~ 10 day(s) of departure, will charge 20%
- Cancel during 2 ~ 7 day(s) of departure, will charge 30%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on activities date, Non-refundable (0% refund)
