Naoshima - island living and cafés
Seto Inland Sea
Boat access to the island and cruising on the Seto Inland Sea
Water transport is the only way to reach Naoshima. Regular ferryboats are available from Takamatsu Port of Kagawa Pref. and Uno Port of Okayama Pref. In Naoshima, there are two ports: Miyaura Port (which is larger) and Honmura Port. Nine round-trip services per day connect Takamatsu Port and Miyaura Port. Speedboats take about 30 minutes to Naoshima while the regular ferry takes an hour for a one-way trip. While you don’t have to make reservations for ferry tickets, it’s a good idea to check the service schedule in advance and wait for the boat at the port 30 minutes before departure. On the island, bus services and rental bicycles are available. However, since island geography is not flat, you need some stamina if you choose a rental bike.
Use local cafés for a break between art exhibition tours
The island is well-known for Benesse Art Site Naoshima. If you want a change of pace from enjoying the artworks, just take a break at one of the small cafés run by islanders. You may be able to meet residents and learn more about the island lifestyle. Honmura and Miyanoura areas in particular offer a good selection of cafés. For instance, we recommend Cafe Salon “Naka-Oku” — run like a “hideaway” at an old-fashioned house — and Aisunao, where you can enjoy a healthy lunch featuring steamed sprouted brown rice.
Get to know local culture in depth at guesthouses
Naoshima offers a number of guesthouses that are clean and reasonably priced. Guesthouse “Roji To Akari” is a self-catering accommodation operated by Mr. Kobayashi, who is also the owner of Cafe Salon “Naka-Oku.” This place offers an ideal opportunity to become familiar with the islanders’ lifestyle.
For reference
Cafe Salon “Naka-Oku”
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- Address
- 1167 Nakaoku, Honmura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa Pref.
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- Tel
- 087-892-3887
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- Open
- • Lunch: 11:30-15:00
• Dinner: 17:30-21:00
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- Holiday
- Tuesday
Aisunao
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- Address
- 761-1 Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa Pref.
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- Tel
- 087-892-3830
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- Open
- 11:00-17:30 (11:00-17:00 during winter)
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- Holiday
- irregular
Guesthouse “Roji To Akari”
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- Address
- 729 Honmura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa Pref.
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- Tel
- 080-3058-3887
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- Holiday
- Tuesday and other days
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- Price
- one night stay per person in dormitory: 3,200 yen (4,000 yen during peak tourist seasons)
Access
- Approx. 40 minutes by Kotoden Bus from Takamatsu Airport to Takamatsu Station. 5-minute walk from the station to Takamatsu Port. 30 minutes by high-speed vessel or 1 hour by ferry from Takamatsu Port to Miyaura Port. Town bus or rental bicycle is recommended from Miyaura Port to various venues.
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- http://www.benesse-artsite.jp/en/access/map_naoshima.html
- Access to the Takamatsu Airport
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- From Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) - 1 hour and 15 minutes
- From Naha Airport - 1 hour and 55 minutes