Private Tour

Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

8 hours

Mobile ticket

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Naoshima!

Once a rural island on the verge of becoming a ghost town, Naoshima is now a world-class center for contemporary art due in large part to contributions from Japan's top architects, including museums, a boutique hotel, and bathhouse. The area features a captivating result of avant-garde blending with rural natural beauty.

On this tour you can visit 3 to 4 sites from the 'what to expect/itinerary list'. Please communicate with your guide post reservation about which sites you would like to see.

Bicycles cannot be used on this tour.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot. Bicycles cannot be used.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Naoshima area

Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list

Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses

Private vehicles. No Bicycles allowed.

You cannot combine multiple tour groups.

Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Art House Project

The tiny fishing village of Honmura, on the eastern edge of Naoshima, is home to the Art House Project, a collection of abandoned houses and workshops (as well as a temple and a shrine), that have been converted into venues and art installations by artists from Japan and around the world. The Art Houses are scattered throughout the village, within walking distance of one another. Intersperse your visits with a coffee break or lunch at one of the handful of charming cafes run by a mix of locals and transplants from cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

Admission Not Applicable

Chichu Art Museum

For many (myself included), Naoshima’s highlight is Tadao Ando’s stunning Chichu Art Museum. Much of the building is underground, and Ando designed it to let in an abundance of natural light that alters the appearance of the artwork it houses throughout the day. Chichu houses a small but impressive collection of works by artists including Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria. On most Friday and Saturday evenings, the museum also hosts the Open Sky Night Program, a special sunset viewing of James Turrell’s “Open Sky.”

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Pickup included

Reviews

4.83

30 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Setouchi Triennale Tour
GrandTour776398,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide Mika was really good. Super organised, so we got to see so much of the Setouchi Triennale. She really went above and beyond what we expected!
This was a great day tour...
Calli C,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
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.
Lovely day on Naoshima Island
Vanessa A,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
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!
Excellent day trip to Naoshima islsndy
travellingk0alas,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful day on Naoshima with Kaji. He was very organised, sent us several modified itineraries many weeks in advance, and even went to the train station several weeks before my arrival to help sort out a problem with my train ticket. His English is excellent and he communicated very clearly and reliably. He also had excellent knowledge of the art on Naoshima as well as the transport timetables. We had a lot of fun with him. Thank you Kaji!
Super guide
Trail29171590130,
May 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very friendly guide, helpful and the guidance was perfect towards timing. We have seen more than planned and we are very happy with that. Kaji is the best guide to Naoshima for us
How to make the best of Naoshima (with Ray)
466shinc,
May 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ray was an amazing guide for our day in Naoshima! She planned the timing for our visits to the art sites and museums and moved us along smoothly without us feeling rushed. She generously shared nuggets of interesting details and history about the artworks (extremely well researched and well prepared), and patiently answered our questions. Really appreciate her sincere efforts and positive energy. We had a most enjoyable and enriching experience! Highly recommended!!
Yoko was the best guide!...
Fahad A,
Mar 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Yoko was the best guide! We would have been totally lost without her and we maximized our whole day on the island. Don’t forget to bring cash and have fun spotting fun art and amazing architecture. Chichi museum was our favorite :)
An Fantastic Art Tour of Naoshima
886stanleyl,
Feb 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My guide Mari was friendly and very competent. She showed me all the interesting art works on the island Naoshima and explained who the artists were as well the history of the different galleries.I enjoyed the tour very much as she helped me appreciate the diversity of the art forms.I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to explore Naoshima.
Art and architecture of Naoshima
CathyG799,
Nov 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Mari is a highly experienced guide who understands Naoshima and Japanese art and architecture extremely well, from years of guiding, living in the area and interviewing the artists as a Journalist. Our day was well planned and tailored to our interests and Mari "went the extra mile" to ensure a really first-class experience. Thank you, Mari.
Very Fun and Cool
996shantalk,
Oct 31, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was such a fun experience and Yoko was a wonderful guide! Naoshima Island is not one to miss! All of the museums and exhibits around the island were wonderful and some exhibits I will remember forever.