Encounter Western masterpieces at a historic art museum, then take a boat to an art island in the Seto Inland Sea . This is a itinerary starting from Okayama Momotaro Airport, visiting Naoshima , known for its contemporary art, and the Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki .
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Okayama Prefecture is located in the Center of Western Japan and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It's conveniently located halfway between famous tourist destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima! It's also the gateway to Shikoku via the Seto. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Okayama," and the fruits that are sun-drenched in the warm climate of the Setouchi are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-class tourist spots, including Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which boasts history, culture, and art!
On the first day, we'll take a ferry from Uno Port in Tamano City , Okayama Prefecture, and visit the Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House Museum on Naoshima. On the second day, we'll admire famous paintings in Kurashiki, a town known for its beautiful white-walled Kurashiki . On the final day, we'll enjoy Japanese gardens, Okayama Castle , and the works of Takehisa Yumeji in Okayama City .
You can get around using public transportation such as JR trains, local buses, and ferries.
Trip duration: 2 nights, 3 days
Main modes of transportation: Airport shuttle bus, JR train, local bus, tram, ferry, walking
Accommodation area: 1st night - Tamano City(around Uno Port) / 2nd night - Okayama City
*This tour assumes travelers arriving at Okayama Momotaro Airport by around 9:00 AM on the first day. Since sightseeing time on Naoshima will vary depending on your flight and transportation connections, please check the timetable and museum reservation status in advance.
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Table of Contents
- Day 1 | From Okayama Momotaro Airport to Naoshima. Contemporary art blending into the Seto Inland Sea.
- Day 2 | Ohara Museum of Art and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Experience Western art and historic townscapes.
- Day 3 | Yumeji Art Museum, Okayama Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle. Enjoy the beauty and history of Okayama.
- Things to check before your trip
Day 1 | From Okayama Momotaro Airport to Naoshima. Contemporary art blending into the Seto Inland Sea.
From Okayama Momotaro Airport to Uno Port| Heading to Naoshima by JR train and ferry
Upon arrival at Okayama Momotaro Airport, take the airport shuttle bus to JR Okayama Station. The journey to the west exit of Okayama Station takes approximately 30 minutes.
From Okayama Station, take the JR Uno Line (Uno Minato Line) to Uno Station. In addition to direct trains, you can also transfer to a train bound for Uno at Chayamachi Station. The journey time varies depending on the train and transfer time, but it should take approximately one hour.
Upon arriving at Uno Station, it's about a 3-minute walk to Uno Port. From there, you'll board a Shikoku Kisen ferry and arrive at Miyanoura Port on Naoshima in about 20 minutes.
Since the number of ferry services is limited, it is recommended to check the departure times in advance and head to Uno Port with plenty of time to spare.
Access: Okayama Momotaro Airport → Okayama Station West Exit (approx. 30 minutes by airport shuttle bus) → Uno Station (approx. 50-57 minutes on the JR Uno Line, transfer at Chayamachi Station if necessary) → Uno Port(approx. 3 minutes on foot) → Naoshima/Miyanoura Port (approx. 20 minutes by ferry)
Other access:
Fixed-rate taxi: Another option is to take a direct taxi from Okayama Momotaro Airport to Uno Port. The one-way fare for a standard car is under 16,600 yen, and advance reservations are required. This is convenient for group travel or if you want to reduce the number of transfers from the airport.
Local bus: Ryobi Bus also operates from Okayama Station towards Uno Station. The journey takes approximately 62-64 minutes. Compare the JR timetable and choose the method that is most convenient for you.
Recommended ferry: Departs Uno Port at 12:15 PM → Arrives Miyanoura Port at 12:35 PM
*This course assumes you will be taking the ferry departing from Uno Port at 12:15. Please check the connecting JR train times and the time needed to prepare for boarding in advance.
Okayama Airport
From Miyanoura Port to the Chichu Art Museum
Upon arriving at Miyanoura Port, take the Naoshima Town Bus bound for "Tsutsuji-so" from bus stop number 2 at the port.
After about 12-16 minutes, you will arrive at the final stop, "Tsutsuji-so." Here, you will transfer to the Benesse Art Site Naoshima free shuttle bus and head to the "Chichu Art Museum Ticket Center."
The shuttle bus ride takes approximately 7 minutes. The museum is about a 5-minute walk from the ticket center.
It's best to allow 40-60 minutes, including bus transfer time, to get from Miyanoura Port to the Chichu Art Museum. During peak hours, it may take even longer.
Access: Miyanoura Port → Tsutsuji-so (approx. 12-16 minutes by town bus) → Chichu Art Museum Ticket Center (approx. 7 minutes by free shuttle bus) → Chichu Art Museum (approx. 5 minutes on foot)
Other access options: Rental bicycles are available around Miyanoura Port. However, there are hills in the museum area, and bicycles are restricted within the grounds of Benesse Art Site Naoshima. For first-time visitors, using the town bus and free shuttle bus is recommended.
Uno Port
Chichu Art Museum | A space where natural light and artworks become one.
The first place you should visit on Naoshima is the Chichu Art Museum, designed by architect Tadao Ando.
To avoid spoiling the landscape of the Seto Inland Sea, the museum is largely buried underground and permanently houses works by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria.
The way the artwork looks changes depending on the natural light, and the architecture itself becomes part of the viewing experience.
Estimated stay time: Approximately 90 minutes
Note: The Chichu Art Museum operates on an online reservation system with specific date and time slots. For this tour, aim for a reservation slot around 14:00-15:00, and be sure to check the connections with local transportation before making your reservation.
*The Chichu Art Museum is scheduled to be closed for extended maintenance from January 12th to March 19th, 2027. Additionally, other museums and art facilities on Naoshima may experience temporary closures or exhibition changes. Please check the official opening calendar before your trip.
Benesse House Museum | Coexistence of Art, Architecture, and Nature
Next, we went to the Benesse House Museum.
From the Chichu Art Museum, head back towards the ticket center and take the free shuttle bus to "Benesse House Museum-shita". The bus ride is only a few minutes, but the buses run infrequently, so be sure to check the timetable beforehand.
This facility, designed by Tadao Ando, combines an art museum and a hotel, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate contemporary art. Beyond the artworks themselves, the seamless integration of the architecture with the Seto Inland Sea landscape is a major highlight.
There are also outdoor artworks scattered throughout the area, allowing you to experience art while strolling along the coast.
The Benesse House Museum is usually open until 9:00 PM, making it a relatively easy place to visit even if you're sightseeing on Naoshima in the afternoon.
Access: Chichu Art Museum Ticket Center → Benesse House Museum (free shuttle bus) → Museum (walk)
Estimated stay time: Approximately 60 minutes
*Please note that while Benesse House Museum is usually open until 9:00 PM, the free shuttle buses and town buses on the island stop operating earlier. Be sure to check the island bus connections by working backward from the departure time of the ferry back to Uno Port.
Seaside Art | Enjoy it with the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea
Before or after visiting the art museum, be sure to stop by the surrounding outdoor art installations as well.
Around the Benesse House Museum, you'll find art installations that blend seamlessly with the Seto Seto Inland Sea landscape, such as Yayoi Kusama's "Pumpkin."
One of the unique charms of Naoshima is strolling along the coast while enjoying the scenery where nature and artwork harmonize.
Estimated stay time: approximately 20-30 minutes
*Please note that viewing conditions for outdoor artworks may vary depending on the time of day, season, maintenance, etc. Please also pay attention to the time of sunset.
If you have time | Motomura House Project
Naoshima has contemporary art scattered throughout, not just in the museum area.
In the Honmura area, there is the "Art House Project," which incorporates contemporary art into a traditional village. At "Kadoya," one of the houses in the project, you can experience the relationship between island life and art through artwork that makes use of old buildings.
If you plan to visit, take the town bus bound for "Tsutsuji-so" from Miyanoura Port and get off at "Nokyo-mae" (Agricultural Cooperative). The bus ride from the port takes approximately 6-8 minutes.
However, "Kadoya" usually closes at 4:30 PM. Depending on your arrival time and museum reservation times, you may not be able to visit it during this afternoon Naoshima sightseeing trip. Consider visiting if you arrive in Naoshima on an earlier flight or if you can adjust your viewing time at other museums such as the Chichu Art Museum.
Access: Miyanoura Port → Agricultural Cooperative (approx. 6-8 minutes by town bus) → Art House Project (on foot)
Estimated stay time: approximately 20-40 minutes
Take a ferry to Uno Port| Stay overnight in Tamano City
After finishing our art appreciation on Naoshima, we'll take the town bus back to Miyanoura Port.
From the museum area, take the free shuttle bus to "Tsutsuji-so" and transfer to the town bus bound for "Miyanoura Port".
Let's take a ferry in the evening or later to return to Uno Port. On this itinerary, you can also take the ferry that departs Miyanoura Port at 19:02 and arrives at Uno Port at 19:22.
Upon arriving at Uno Port, head to your hotel in Tamano City. There are also outdoor art installations scattered around Uno Port, so if you have time the next morning, you can enjoy a stroll around.
Access: Tsutsuji-so → Miyanoura Port (approx. 12-16 minutes by town bus) → Uno Port(approx. 20 minutes by ferry)
Accommodation: Around Uno Port and Tamano City
Day 2 | Ohara Museum of Art and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Experience Western art and historic townscapes.
From Uno Port to Kurashiki| Heading to the Bikan Historical Quarter by JR train
In the morning, we leave our hotel near Uno Port and walk to JR Uno Station.
From Uno Station, take the JR Uno Line (Uno Minato Line) to Okayama Station. A direct train to Okayama Station takes approximately 50-57 minutes. Depending on the time of day, you may need to transfer to a train bound for Okayama at Chayamachi Station.
At Okayama Station, transfer to the JR Sanyo Main Line bound for Kurashiki/ Fukuyama. The journey from Okayama Station to Kurashiki Station takes approximately 17 minutes.
Allow approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes for the journey from Uno Station to Kurashiki Station, including transfer time.
Upon arriving at Kurashiki Station, head out the South Exit and proceed along Kurashiki Chuo. You will arrive at the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter in about 15 minutes on foot.
Access: Uno Station → Okayama Station (JR Uno Line, approximately 50-57 minutes, transfer at Chayamachi Station if necessary) → Kurashiki Station (JR Sanyo Main Line, approximately 17 minutes) → Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter(approximately 15 minutes on foot)
Other access options: You can also travel from Tamano City to Kurashiki by taxi or rental car. The drive from the Uno Port area to the center of Kurashiki City takes approximately 50-60 minutes. Travel time may vary depending on traffic conditions.
Ohara Museum of Art| Encountering World Masterpieces in Kurashiki
Located in the heart of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, the Ohara Museum of Art is Japan's first private art museum, primarily focusing on Western art, and opened in 1930.
The collection, born from the activities of businessman Magosaburo Ohara and painter Kojima Kojima, includes a wide range of works, from masterpieces of Western art to modern and contemporary Japanese art and crafts.
To fully appreciate the historical architecture and works of art, it's recommended to allocate 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours for your visit.
Access: Located within the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter(approximately 15 minutes on foot from the south exit of Kurashiki Station). Estimated stay: 90-120 minutes.
* The Ohara Museum of Art has different opening hours depending on the season. In particular, from December to February, it closes at 3:00 PM (last entry at 2:30 PM), so considering the travel time from the Uno Port area to Kurashiki, it is recommended to visit in the morning.
Ohara Museum of Art
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter| Discover culture while strolling through the townscape
After visiting the art museum, let's take a stroll along the Kurashiki.
With storehouses that retain the atmosphere of the Edo period, and shops and cafes housed in historic buildings, you can experience the town's culture as it is passed down through generations in modern life.
The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter also has restaurants where you can enjoy local Okayama cuisine and ingredients from the Setouchi. Take your time strolling around, enjoying lunch or a break at a cafe. After sightseeing, travel from JR Kurashiki Station to Okayama Station and stay overnight in Okayama City.
Estimated stay duration: 90-120 minutes. Accommodation: Kurashiki City.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
From Kurashiki to Okayama City| Overnight stay to prepare for sightseeing the next day
After finishing sightseeing in Kurashiki , take the Sanyo Main Line train bound for Okayama from JR Kurashiki Station.
You will arrive at Okayama Station in approximately 17 minutes. There are many accommodations and restaurants around the station, making it convenient to start sightseeing in Okayama City the next morning.
For dinner, I recommend dining in Okayama City and enjoying local Okayama cuisine and ingredients.
Access: Kurashiki Station → Okayama Station (JR Sanyo Main Line, approximately 17 minutes)
Accommodation: Okayama City
Hotel Granvia Okayama
Day 3 | Yumeji Art Museum, Okayama Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle. Enjoy the beauty and history of Okayama.
From Okayama Station to Yumeji Art Museum
In the morning, we will leave our hotel in Okayama City and head to the Yumeji Art Museum.
From Okayama Station, take the Okayama Electric Railway Bus Route 18 bound for Fujiwara Danchi from bus stop number 1 at the Korakuen Exit (East Exit) bus terminal.
You will arrive at "Horaibashi/ Yumeji Art Museum" in about 15 minutes. The museum is just a short walk from the bus stop.
Access: From Okayama Station East Exit Platform 1 → Horai Bridge/ Yumeji Art Museum(approx. 15 minutes by Okayama Electric Railway bus) → Yumeji Art Museum(short walk)
Other access:
Tram + Walking: Take the tram bound for Mount Higashiyama from Okayama Station tram stop for about 5 minutes and get off at Shiroshita tram stop. From there, it's about a 15-minute walk to the museum.
Taxi: Approximately 10 minutes from Okayama Station to the art museum. Convenient if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with multiple people.
If you have a lot of luggage after checking out of your hotel, you can use the hotel's luggage storage service or coin lockers around Okayama Station to enjoy sightseeing without being burdened. Be sure to check the usage conditions and operating hours in advance.
Yumeji Art Museum| Takehisa Yumeji, an artist associated with Okayama
This museum houses the works of Takehisa Yumeji, a painter and poet from Okayama Prefecture, allowing visitors to experience the world of beautiful women and design that symbolizes Taisho Romanticism.
The red brick building is impressive, and it also houses a museum shop and a cafe.
Estimated stay time: approximately 45-60 minutes
Yumeji Local Art Museum Main Building
Okayama Korakuen Garden| The beauty of form that breathes life into a Japanese garden
You can walk from the Yumeji Art Museum to Okayama Korakuen Garden. From the museum, cross the Horai Bridge over the Asahikawa to the main gate of Okayama Korakuen Garden. It takes about 5-10 minutes on foot.
Stroll along the spacious lawns, ponds, and pathways, and enjoy the beauty of this Japanese garden, which has been preserved since the Edo period.
Okayama Korakuen Garden is considered one of Three Great Gardens of Japan, and visitors can enjoy the scenery of each season while strolling through the grounds.
Access: Yumeji Art Museum → Horai Bridge → Okayama Korakuen Garden Main Gate (approximately 5-10 minute walk)
Estimated stay time: Approximately 60 minutes
Okayama Korakuen Garden
Okayama Castle| Experience History and Traditional Culture
From Okayama Korakuen Garden, we headed to Okayama Castle , located on the opposite bank of the Asahikawa .
Exiting through the South Gate of Korakuen Garden and crossing the Tsukimi Bridge over the Asahikawa will take you to the Okayama Castle side. It takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to walk from the South Gate to the Okayama Castle keep.
Okayama Castle , also known as " Ujo (Crow Castle) " (Crow Castle) due to its black exterior, offers exhibits showcasing the castle's history.
Access: Okayama Korakuen Garden South Gate → Tsukimi Bridge → Okayama Castle(approximately 5-10 minute walk)
Estimated stay time: approximately 45-60 minutes
Okayama Castle【Ujo (Crow Castle)】
From Okayama Castle to Okayama Momotaro Airport
After visiting Okayama Castle, we will head to Okayama Momotaro Airport.
It's about a 10-minute walk from Okayama Castle to the "Shiroshita" tram stop. If you take the tram bound for "Okayama," you'll arrive at Okayama Station in about 5 minutes.
At Okayama Station, proceed through the station premises to the west exit and board the limousine bus bound for Okayama Momotaro Airport from platform 21. The journey to the airport takes approximately 30 minutes.
Recommended access: Okayama Castle → Shiroshita Tram Stop (approx. 10-minute walk) → Okayama(approx. 5-minute tram ride) → Okayama Station West Exit Platform 21 (walk) → Okayama Momotaro Airport(approx. 30-minute airport shuttle bus ride)
Other access:
Alternatively, you can take a local bus bound for Okayama Station from the "Prefectural Office" bus stop, which is about a 5-minute walk from Okayama Castle .
Taxi: You can also take a taxi directly from Okayama Castle to Okayama Station. Travel time varies depending on traffic conditions, so allow plenty of time for your journey.
Please allow ample time to travel to the airport before your flight departure. If you are taking an international flight, be sure to check the check-in time specified by your airline.
Things to check before your trip
For facilities that require timed entry reservations, such as the Chichu Art Museum, please arrange your tickets in advance.
Naoshima's town buses and free shuttle buses have limited service and capacity, so allow ample time for transfers.
Additionally, art facilities on Naoshima Naoshima, including the Chichu Art Museum, may have extended closures due to regular maintenance. Please check the official opening calendar in advance.
Ferry services may be cancelled or changed due to weather or sea conditions.
・On the JR Uno Line, some trains may be suspended due to equipment maintenance, etc. Please check the latest service information for your travel date.
If your flight departing from Okayama Momotaro Airport is early, you will need to adjust your itinerary to accommodate your flight schedule, such as reducing the number of sightseeing spots you plan to visit on the third day.
From world-famous paintings and contemporary art from the Setouchi to the beauty of Japanese gardens, enjoy a three-day journey through a diverse world of beauty, starting in Okayama.
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