Naoshima and Shodoshima from Takamatsu: Ferries, Getting Around and How to Plan Each Island

Quick answer: Both islands are easy day trips by ferry from Takamatsu, but do them on separate days. On Naoshima, see Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkins and the art museums. On Shodoshima, visit the Olive Park and the Kankakei Gorge. On both islands, buses are infrequent, so check your return ferry time first and plan around the bus timetable.

I’ve been to both islands by ferry from Takamatsu and got around by bus and bicycle. They’re very different: Naoshima is about contemporary art, Shodoshima is a big, green island of olives, mountains and soy sauce.

Ferries from Takamatsu

Fares as of October 2026. High-speed boats carry passengers only. Check the operators’ timetables before you go.

The ferry terminals are a short walk from JR Takamatsu Station.

My #1 tip: check your return ferry before you leave. Sailings are not frequent, especially in the evening, and missing the last boat means an unplanned night on the island.

Don’t try to do both islands in one day. There’s no convenient direct connection that leaves enough time for either. Give each its own day.

Naoshima: the art island

Naoshima became world-famous for contemporary art museums and outdoor works built into the landscape.

What I’d see

• Yayoi Kusama’s Yellow Pumpkin — the polka-dot pumpkin on the end of an old pier, probably the most photographed artwork in Japan.
• Red Pumpkin — her second pumpkin, right by Miyaura Port where the ferry arrives. You can step inside it.
• Benesse House Museum — a museum and hotel designed by Tadao Ando, overlooking the sea, with art inside and outdoors.

Also on Naoshima

• Chichu Art Museum — another Ando building, mostly underground, with works by Claude Monet, James Turrell and Walter De Maria. Timed tickets must be booked in advance. See Naoshima’s Art Museums for how to book and which to see.
• Art House Project — old houses in the Honmura district turned into art installations. For more art islands, see Teshima, Ogijima and Megijima.

Getting around Naoshima

The island is small. Buses link the port, the town and the museum area, but they’re infrequent and can be full in busy seasons. Renting a bicycle (e-bikes are worth it for the hills) gives you much more freedom.

Note: many museums on Naoshima are closed on Mondays. Check before you plan your day.

Shodoshima: olives, mountains and soy sauce

Shodoshima is much bigger than Naoshima, with mountains, a long coastline and a Mediterranean feel thanks to its olive groves. For a full island guide, see Shodoshima.

What I’d see

• Shodoshima Olive Park — olive groves, a white Greek-style windmill on the hill overlooking the sea, and olive-themed food and souvenirs. A popular photo spot: borrow a broom and “fly” like a witch.
• Kankakei Gorge — one of Japan’s most beautiful gorges, with a ropeway gliding over rugged rock formations. Spectacular in autumn leaves (around November).

Also on Shodoshima

• Angel Road — a sandbar that appears at low tide and connects small islands off Tonosho. Check the tide table; it’s only walkable for a few hours around low tide.
• Soy sauce district (Hishio no Sato) — old soy sauce breweries and their wooden barrels, plus the island’s somen noodles.

Getting around Shodoshima

The island is big and hilly. Buses run around the island, but services are infrequent, so check the timetable and plan your day around it. For more flexibility, consider renting a car on the island or bringing one on the car ferry.

Where to stay

Takamatsu works well as a base for day trips to both islands.

Staying on Naoshima (including Benesse House) or Shodoshima lets you avoid the ferry rush and enjoy the islands in the evening, but rooms are limited, so book well ahead.

FAQ

Can I visit Naoshima and Shodoshima in one day? Not comfortably. Give each island its own day.

Do I need to book the ferry? Generally no; buy tickets at the terminal. On busy days, arrive early.

Bike or bus? On Naoshima, a bike (ideally electric). On Shodoshima, bus or car, because distances are longer.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.