Naoshima(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Naoshima Town, the premier art-focused hotel is Art Hotel Naoshima, housed in a renovated old clinic near the Benesse Art Site Naoshima. Each room features rotating installations by local and international artists, and guests receive curated access to nearby landmarks like Lee Ufan Museum and Tadao Ando’s Chichu Art Museum. The hotel also hosts artist talks and evening light projections on the sea, offering immersive experiences tied to the Setouchi Triennale. Rooms with ocean views provide breathtaking sunrises over the Inland Sea—perfect for photography and reflection.

The best area for accommodations in Naoshima Town is Honmura (Main Village), located just steps from the Naoshima Ferry Terminal and Benesse House Museum. This district hosts boutique stays like Art Hotel Naoshima and Museum Inn Honmura, all within walking distance of key cultural sites such as Lee Ufan Museum and Itochu Warehouse Art Space. The area blends quiet residential charm with easy access to art, dining, and nature, making it ideal for travelers seeking an authentic, tranquil base to explore the island’s artistic soul.

Must-visit art attractions on Naoshima Island include: Lee Ufan Museum, dedicated to the Korean minimalist artist’s site-specific works; Benesse House Museum, a luxury hotel-gallery hybrid showcasing contemporary art; Tadao Ando’s Chichu Art Museum, famed for its serene, light-filled galleries housing Monet’s water lilies; and Sculpture Park by Berthold Huber, featuring massive metallic installations blending with the coastal landscape. Each venue exemplifies the fusion of architecture, nature, and art central to the Setouchi Triennale experience.

Overnight visitors to Naoshima can enjoy unique cultural experiences such as attending artist-led workshops at Art Hotel Naoshima, including traditional Japanese paper lantern making using local washi. Nighttime light projection tours across the Inland Sea create mesmerizing visuals on water and cliffs during the Setouchi Triennale. Some guesthouses offer local farm-to-table dinners featuring fresh seafood and organic vegetables from Shikoku, often paired with storytelling about regional sustainability—deepening connections between art, food, and community.

Yes, Naoshima Island offers several family-friendly accommodations. Art Hotel Naoshima provides spacious family rooms with children’s art kits and safe outdoor courtyards. Honmura Homestay Villas feature private cottages with kitchenettes and gardens, perfect for longer stays. Many venues offer kids’ scavenger hunts to find hidden sculptures around the island. Ferry services include child-friendly seating, and all major art sites have wheelchair access and nursing rooms—ensuring a stress-free, enriching experience for families.

To reach Naoshima Island from Takamatsu City, take a ferry from Takamatsu Port to Naoshima Terminal, a 30-minute ride with multiple daily departures. Tickets can be purchased at the port or through the JR Takamatsu Station Tourist Information Center. Upon arrival, rent an electric bicycle to explore the island or walk to nearby art sites. Some hotels, like Art Hotel Naoshima, offer complimentary shuttle services from the dock—ideal for travelers with luggage.

The Setouchi Triennale is held every three years, with the most recent edition in 2022 and the next scheduled for 2025. During this event, Naoshima transforms into a dynamic open-air gallery with temporary installations by global artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami. Even outside festival periods, permanent exhibitions remain open at venues like Lee Ufan Museum and Chichu Art Museum. Visiting in spring or autumn offers mild weather and fewer crowds, ideal for deep immersion in art and nature.

Local specialties in Naoshima include Sanuki Udon (made with locally milled buckwheat flour), fresh Seto Inland Sea sea urchin rice bowls, and Naoshima Tangerines—sweet and juicy, perfect as souvenirs. Try them at Honmura Soba Restaurant, a former farmhouse turned rustic eatery with seasonal menus emphasizing “one local ingredient per day.” Some art hotels also offer artist-themed tasting events, where dishes are inspired by artworks, blending culinary art with visual storytelling.

Hotel prices on Naoshima Island vary from ¥8,000 to ¥15,000 JPY (~$50–$95 USD) per night for standard guesthouses and boutique hotels like Art Hotel Naoshima. Premium art-hotel experiences can cost ¥18,000–¥30,000 JPY. Prices rise 20% during peak season (April–June, September–November) and surge further during the Setouchi Triennale. HopeGoo 3 months in advance is recommended, and many hotels offer bundled packages including ferry tickets and guided tours—offering better value for long-term visitors.

Best photo spots on Naoshima Island include the Lee Ufan Museum's white concrete structures and ethereal light corridors; Berthold Huber Sculpture Park, where massive metal forms reflect dramatically on the sea surface; and Tadao Ando’s Chichu Art Museum garden, with its precise stone paths and water mirrors. The Itochu Warehouse Art Space’s red-brick façade and glass dome also make striking backdrops. Visit early morning or late afternoon for soft, golden lighting that enhances the interplay between architecture, nature, and shadow—perfect for artistic compositions.