This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • (Tanya Donaghey & 1 adult and Kaji)
  • 09:03 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop [Meet]
  • 09:06 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop
  • by town bus
  • 09:20 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
  • visit “Yellow Pumpkin”
  • 10:05 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
  • by Benesse bus
  • 10:12 Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop
  • 10:15 ~11:15 Chichu Art Museum
  • 11:35 Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop
  • by Benesse bus
  • 11:37 Lee Ufan Museum Bus Stop
  • 11:40~12:30 Lee Ufan Museum & Valley Galary
  • on foot
  • 12:45~13:45 Benesse House Museum (including lunch)
  • 13:45~14:20 Benesse House Museum outdoor art works
  • 14:27 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
  • by town bus
  • 14:31 Momoyama Bus Stop
  • 14:40~15:30 Naoshima New Museum
  • on foot (just looking around several the House Art Project objects from outside)
  • 15:56 Nokyomae Bus Stop
  • by town bus
  • 16:03 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop
  • 16:05~16:20 Outdoor Art works (including the Red Pumpkin)
  • 16:20 Miyanoura Port [Say goodbye]

Tour Itinerary in Detail

From there the group visited Miyanoura Port Bus Stop at 09:06, Tsutsujiso Bus Stop at 09:20, Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop at 10:12, Chichu Art Museum at 10:15, Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop at 11:35, Lee Ufan Museum Bus Stop at 11:37, Lee Ufan Museum & Valley Galary at 11:40, Benesse House Museum (including lunch) at 12:45, Benesse House Museum outdoor art works at 13:45, Tsutsujiso Bus Stop at 14:27, Momoyama Bus Stop at 14:31, Naoshima New Museum at 14:40, Nokyomae Bus Stop at 15:56, Miyanoura Port Bus Stop at 16:03, Outdoor Art works (including the Red Pumpkin) at 16:05 and Miyanoura Port [Say goodbye] at 16:20.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Miyanoura Port/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture to Tsutsujiso/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture by bus (100JPY); Tsutsujiso/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture to Momoyama/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture by bus (100JPY); Nokyomae/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture to Miyanoura Port/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture by bus (100JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 300JPY per person.

What's a Private Day Tour of Naoshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Oceania. There was occasional light rain, but it was so minor that I could guide without an umbrella. The guests told me that Yayoi Kusama comes up in their context, and that they had come all the way to Naoshima because they really wanted to see the yellow pumpkin and the red pumpkin. On this trip they were traveling for a while, using Tokyo as a base to see places such as Mount Fuji, then coming to Naoshima, and afterward planning to sightsee in Osaka. They asked me about the areas in Japan that experience many earthquakes, so I gave a general explanation, and when I mentioned that there is concern about a Nankai earthquake in this region, they showed great interest. When I said that Naoshima and the Setouchi area have relatively few disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes due to the local geography, making it a comfortable place to live, they were convinced. The guests were friendly and cheerful, and I felt they were able to enjoy a full day on Naoshima.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusMiyanoura Port/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture~Tsutsujiso/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture100JPY
Section 2BusTsutsujiso/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture~Momoyama/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture100JPY
Section 3BusNokyomae/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture~Miyanoura Port/Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture100JPY
Total300JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Miyanoura Port Bus Stop, Tsutsujiso Bus Stop, Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop, Chichu Art Museum, Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop, Lee Ufan Museum Bus Stop, Lee Ufan Museum & Valley Galary, Benesse House Museum (including lunch), Benesse House Museum outdoor art works, Tsutsujiso Bus Stop, Momoyama Bus Stop, Naoshima New Museum, Nokyomae Bus Stop, Miyanoura Port Bus Stop, Outdoor Art works (including the Red Pumpkin) and Miyanoura Port [Say goodbye].

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 300JPY per person across 3 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.

Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?

Kaji is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?

Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kagawa itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.

Hello. My name is Hisao Kaji. I was born in 1945. I was raised in Takamatsu City from 3 years old. So, I have been living in Takamatsu for around 75 years. I believe I know Takamatsu City and the Kagawa prefecture area very well. If you come to Takamatsu, Kagawa I think you can enjoy your tour with me. I started a Government Licensed Guide in 2019. So, I have been a licensed guide for about 5 years. My favorite destinations are Naoshima, Teshima, Ritsurin Garden, the top of Mt. Yashima and so on. I always show you an itinerary about one month before your tour date, and I will accept any questions, other favorite places you want to visit. Communicating with you, I would like to accommodate your request for your tour. I always listen to NPR on the internet to know how the world is moving and improve my English. I like conversation based upon it with my life. I stayed in the USA for 8 months for a Power Systems Engineering Course conducted by General Electric in New York State when I was 28 years old. I sometimes talk about my memory of those days with the guests. I am very happy to guide tourists because I can see the guests become happy and enjoy themselves when I am guiding better. Nothing is more wonderful than that. I welcome your visit to Takamatsu City and Kagawa Prefecture. I believe you will have a pleasant time through my guide.

Apr 19, 2026
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A day to remember
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Lovely day on Naoshima Island
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