Naoshima art island: planning one day
You want the island with the famous museums, and do not want to arrive and find it closed.
Trains, roads and flights
Ferries to Naoshima and Miyajima
You want to see the islands, but a missed last ferry would turn a lovely day stressful.
Plan an island day backwards from the last ferry. Pick your base, check the current timetable for your date and leave a buffer, because a missed boat turns a lovely day into a stressful one.
How do ferries reach Naoshima?
Ferries to Naoshima leave from Uno on the Okayama side and from Takamatsu on the Shikoku side. Choose the port nearer your base.
Sailings change by season, so we check the current timetable and fare for your date. See Naoshima art island day and Okayama as a base for Shikoku and Naoshima.
How do you reach Miyajima?
Take the train to Miyajimaguchi and cross by ferry to the island. The crossing is short and runs often in the daytime. The last ferry back sets how long you can stay.
For tide and timing around the floating gate, read Miyajima tide and timing and Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka.
How do you plan around the last ferry?
Work backwards from the last return ferry, not forwards from breakfast.
- Find the last ferry back for your date.
- Leave a buffer of at least a few sailings.
- Place the must-see stop first and the optional stops last.
If the sea is rough or a boat is cancelled, you need a fallback. Keep your mainland hotel flexible, or plan a short overnight on the island.
How do you handle luggage?
Send large bags ahead to your next hotel by courier, or use a coin locker on the mainland. Carry only a day bag onto the ferry.
Read airport luggage forwarding to your hotel and coin lockers versus station storage. A luggage-free day is easier on children and elders.
What if the plan changes?
Weather and timetables change. Keep one flexible day in your trip, and confirm timetables on the morning of your island day.
Send us your base and date, and we plan the day backwards from the last boat, with a fallback.
Tell us your base and the day you want an island, and we will work backwards from the last ferry and plan the luggage so the day stays calm.
Keep planning
Shikoku, planned around your family
Shikoku feels quieter and less known, and you want to be sure the journey is worth it.
Sending luggage from the airport to your hotel
You land with heavy cases and tired children, and you would rather arrive with a day bag.
Coin lockers or staffed luggage storage
You have a big suitcase, a few free hours before check-in and no idea where to leave it.
Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka
You are based in Osaka and wonder whether Hiroshima is one long day or a night.
Miyajima: tide, ferry and timing
You have seen the floating gate in photos, and want to arrive at the right hour.
Questions travellers ask
Where do the ferries to Naoshima leave from?
Ferries to Naoshima leave from Uno on the Okayama side and from Takamatsu on the Shikoku side. Which port suits you depends on your base. We check the current timetable and fare on the day, since sailings change by season.
How do we reach Miyajima?
Take the train to Miyajimaguchi and cross by ferry to the island. The crossing is short, and sailings are frequent in daytime. Check the last ferry back, since that sets how long you can stay.
What if we miss the last ferry?
On a small island, you may have to stay overnight, which costs money and disrupts the next day. Work backwards from the last ferry, leave a buffer of at least a few sailings, and keep your accommodation flexible.
How do we manage luggage on an island day?
Send big bags ahead to the next hotel by courier, or use a coin locker on the mainland. Carry only a day bag onto the ferry. Ask us about luggage forwarding between your hotels.
Ready to shape your Japan trip?
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you hope to see. We will reply with ideas and a tailored quote.