How to Get to Naoshima from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Okayama

Naoshima lies in the Seto Inland Sea between Kagawa and Okayama prefectures, with no bridge to the island, so everyone boards a boat. That is part of the charm, as the crossing passes small islands and freighters on calm water. There are two main gateways, Uno on the Okayama side and Takamatsu on the Kagawa side, and the choice depends on the city you are sleeping in and where you go next.

The fastest route w skrócie

1. Ride the shinkansen to Okayama Station.
2. Change to the JR Uno Line for Uno Station, roughly an hour including waiting.
3. Walk to Uno Port, which is close to the station.
4. Board the boat to Miyanoura or Honmura, taking roughly 20 minutes.

From Tokyo

Tokyo to Okayama by shinkansen takes roughly three and a half hours, so it makes sense to spend a night in Okayama or Takamatsu before crossing rather than rushing a same-day round trip. The other route is to fly from Tokyo to Takamatsu Airport in Kagawa and take a bus into the city. This suits anyone avoiding a long train ride, but compare the ticket prices and total time of both routes for your dates.

From Osaka and Kyoto

From Shin-Osaka to Okayama by shinkansen takes roughly an hour or a little less, and from Kyoto a little more, so a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto is possible. The day is long, though, because you still need the Uno Line and the boat, so it suits early risers. For more comfort, sleep a night in Okayama or Takamatsu, or on the island itself.

From airports and nearby cities

From Takamatsu Airport, take the bus into Takamatsu and walk or transfer to Takamatsu Port. From Okayama Airport, take the bus to Okayama Station and then the Uno Line. From Hiroshima, the shinkansen reaches Okayama in a fairly short time. If you stay in Takamatsu there is no need to go to Okayama at all, because the port is close to the station; the ordinary ferry to Miyanoura takes roughly an hour or a little under, and faster boats may run at some times.

Train vs bus vs rental car

In short, train and ferry suit nearly everyone. A rental car is useful only if you are continuing around the region, and you should not try to take it across, as that is unnecessary and costly.

Passes and tickets

A JR pass covering the shinkansen can save money on long trips from Tokyo or Osaka, and some cover the Uno Line, but not always the boat to the island. Regional passes for the Okayama and Kagawa area are sold to visitors in certain forms, and their conditions, prices and valid areas change often, so check the JR and ferry operators' official sites. Before buying, add up the real tickets in your plan and compare with the pass price, since light travel may not pay off.

Luggage and booking

• Boat tickets are generally bought at the pier, but in holiday periods arrive early so you do not miss the sailing.
• Leave large bags in lockers at Okayama or Takamatsu station and travel light to the island.
• If staying on the island, ask the property about luggage from the pier, as the island bus may be awkward with large bags.
• Boats can be suspended in typhoon weather, so keep a backup plan and check operator notices before you set out.

Switching from the shinkansen to the Uno Line and then to a boat has points where it is easy to slip, such as picking the wrong platform or not knowing when the next boat leaves. Mobile data lets you check on the spot. An eSIM installed before the flight is ready as soon as you arrive in Japan.

Zobacz pakiety eSIM na Japonię

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