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
- (Kaji)
- 08:12 Takamatsu Port
- by ferry
- 09:02 Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)
- (Catherine De Jonghe & 1 Adult)
- 07:11 JR Osaka
- by Shinkansen
- 07:55 JR Okayama
- 08:05 JR Okayama
- by taxi
- 09:00 Uno Port
- 09:22 Uno Port
- by ferry
- 09:42 Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)
- 09:44 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop [Meet]
- (Catherine De Jonghe & 1 Adult and Kaji)
- 10:00 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop
- by town bus
- 10:14 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
- 10:30 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
- by Benesse bus
- 10:35 Lee Ufan Museum Bus Stop
- 10:40~11:45 Lee Ufan Museum & Valley Gallery
- on foot
- 12:00 ~14:00 Chichu Art Museum (including lunch at the café in the museum)
- 14:10 Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop
- by Benesse bus
- 14:14 Benesse House Museum Bus Stop
- 14:20~15:45 Benesse House Museum and Outdoor Art Works (including “Yellow Pumpkin”)
- 15:50 Tustsujiso Bus Stop
- 16:03 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop
- Outdoor Art Works (including “Red Pumpkin”)
- 16:20[Say goodbye]
- (Catherine De Jonghe & 1 Adult)
- 16:35 Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)
- by ferry
- 16:55 Uno Port
- 17:00 Uno Port
- by taxi
- 18:00 JR Okayama Sta.
- 18:58 JR Okayama Sta.
- by Shinkansen Nozomi 54
- 19:43 JR Shin-Osaka Sta.
- (Kaji)
- 17:00 Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)
- by ferry
- 18:00 Takamatsu Port
What Is a Private Guided Day Tour of Naoshima Art Island Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from Europe on Naoshima Art Island. One of the guests was very kind, cheerful, and fun to be around. I had reserved a taxi at JR Okayama Station and even showed the pickup location on a map, but they ended up taking a different taxi to Uno Port. Fortunately, no cancellation issue arose. When I asked why they hadn't taken the reserved taxi, they said their mind went blank upon arriving at Okayama Station and they simply forgot. I found their easygoing and lighthearted nature quite charming. Another of the guests loved art very much and knew almost all of the artists on Naoshima, which surprised me. They toured the works with great enthusiasm. They described Lee Ufan, whom many guests generally show little interest in, as a minimalist, and were very moved. The two got along wonderfully. From May, they planned to travel to Naoshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Tokyo, and I felt honored that they chose to include Naoshima. On the way back, they contacted me via a messaging app to let me know that boarding the reserved taxi from Uno Port to JR Okayama Station went smoothly. It was a truly enjoyable day of guiding.
Click here for more details: Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Miyanoura Port～Tsutsujiso | 100JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Tsutsujiso～Miyanoura Port | 100JPY |
| Total | 200JPY | ||
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
2Pippin2
Tripadvisor review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A day to remember
Perfect day! Our tour guide, Kaji,
added so…
Apr 19, 2026
2Pippin2
Tripadvisor review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A day to remember
Perfect day! Our tour guide, Kaji,
added so much valuable information and guidance. It was a rewarding experience and
one we will remember fondly.
Oct 23, 2025
C
Calli_C
This was a great day tour…
Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
This was a great day…
Oct 23, 2025
C
Calli_C
This was a great day tour…
Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
This was a great day tour to explore Naoshima. Our guide was very knowledgeable about
the area and provided additional history of the area where he grew up. He also was very
thoughtful and helped us figure out how to get to the island from Osaka.
Oct 12, 2025
Vanessa_A
Lovely day on Naoshima Island
Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
It was great to relax and leave…
Oct 12, 2025
Vanessa_A
Lovely day on Naoshima Island
Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
It was great to relax and leave the organising of our day on Naoshima to our very
experienced guide,Kaji. He speaks excellent English and tailored the day very well to our
needs. We had a lot of fun with him!
Jun 1, 2025
Pamela_F
Highly recommend the half…
Viator review: Okayama Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Highly recommend the half day tour and our…
Jun 1, 2025
Pamela_F
Highly recommend the half…
Viator review: Okayama Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Highly recommend the half day tour and our wonderful guide, Hisao Kaji. He
accommodated our requests and was very knowledgeable with excellent English. Thank
you Hisao!