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
- 09:03 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop [Meet]
- 09:06 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop
- by town bus
- 09:20 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
- 09:25 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
- by Benesse bus
- 09:32 Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop
- 10:00 ~11:00 Chichu Art Museum
- on foot
- 11:15~11:50 Lee Ufan Museum & Valley Gallery
- 11:54 Lee Ufan Museum Bus Stop
- by Benesse bus
- 11:58 Sugimoto Hiroshi Gallery Bus Stop
- 12:00~12:30 Sugimoto Hiroshi Gallery
- 12:30~13:10 visit a several outdoor artworks such as “Yellow Pumpkin” near Benesse House Museum
- on foot
- 13:15~14:05 Benesse House Museum (including lunch at the cafe)
- 14:14 Benesse House Museum Bus Stop
- by Benesse bus
- 14:17 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
- 14:23 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
- by town bus (special delivery)
- 14:30 Nokyomae Bus Stop
- 14:35~15:50 House Art Project (Ishibashi, Haisha, Gokaisho, Minamidera:15:20～15:40,Kadoya)
- 15:56 Nokyomae Bus Stop
- by town bus
- 16:03 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop
- 16:05~16:30 Explanation about how to tour Teshima Island of tomorrow at Miyanoura Port Terminal)
- 16:30 Miyanoura Port [Say goodbye]
What Is a Private Naoshima Art Island Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. During their stay in Japan, they planned to travel from Tokyo to Takamatsu, then Naoshima, Teshima, Uno, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, back to Tokyo, then Kyoto, Osaka, Asia for a few days, and back to Tokyo before returning home. They visited Naoshima because of their interest in art. Although Teshima was a tight fit in their schedule, they very much wanted to see it as well. They planned to meet up with someone studying in Tokyo during this trip. The day before the tour, the guests had already visited the Naoshima New Museum of Art, the I Love Yu bathhouse, the Red Pumpkin, and the Naoshima Pavilion on their own, which gave us some extra flexibility the following day. Before parting, I explained how to get around Teshima the next day, including the ticket office, the ticket sales start time, and the high-speed boat boarding area. The guests listened very attentively to my guiding, and it was a pleasure to guide them.
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 / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture～Tsutsujiso / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture | 100JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Tsutsujiso / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture～Nokyomae / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture | 100JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Nokyomae / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture～Miyanoura Port / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture | 100JPY |
| Total | 300JPY | ||
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!