The Setouchi Triennale (commonly known as Seto Triennale), one of Japan's leading contemporary Setouchi Triennale Seto Naikai. Many of these islands belong to Kagawa Prefecture, but in fact there are many recommended islands that are more convenient to access from the Honshu side of Okayama Prefecture.
2025.05.15-
Table of Contents
- Art islands accessible from Okayama Prefecture(Honshu)
- [Popular] Access to Naoshima and Teshima Island: Enjoy art and nature
- Access to Inujima: A mecca for contemporary art: Art nestled in silence
- [Island of Olives and Art] Access to Shodoshima(Tonosho Port): A fusion of rich nature and art
- [Autumn-only art experience] Access to the Hon Island: Island scenery overlooking the Seto
- Conclusion: Tips for enjoying the Setouchi Triennale even more
- Location of the introduced spots (map)
[Setouchi Triennale 2025 Event Period]
Spring: April 18th (Friday) - May 25th (Sunday)
Summer: August 1st (Friday) to August 31st (Sunday)
Autumn: October 3rd (Friday) to November 9th (Sunday)
Art islands accessible from Okayama Prefecture(Honshu)
Among the many islands that serve as venues for the Setouchi Triennale, the main islands (and ports) that can be accessed directly by boat from the Honshu side of Okayama Prefecture are listed below.
With the exception of Inujima(Okayama City), all of these art spots are located in Kagawa Prefecture. Some people may be surprised to find that there are surprisingly many islands you can get to from Okayama!
Naoshima(from Uno Port) - Dotted with world-famous artworks, including Yayoi Kusama's "Yellow Pumpkin."
Teshima Island(from Uno Port ) - A museum with a water drop motif and artworks that combine nature and art.
Inujima(from Hoden Port and Kyobashi Port) - An island where history and art coexist, including an art museum built on the site of a former smelter.
Shodoshima(from Okayama Port and Uno Port) - Olive fields and beautiful coastlines spread out, and there are many artworks that make use of nature.
Hon Island(from Kojima Tourist Port) - A place associated with the Shiwaku Navy, where historical streets and modern art blend together (only during the autumn session).
Now let's take a closer look at how to access these fascinating islands, starting from JR Okayama Station.
[Popular] Access to Naoshima and Teshima Island: Enjoy art and nature
The main gateway to Naoshima and Teshima Island , two of the most popular sites in the Setouchi Triennale , is Uno Port in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture . The route from Uno Uno Port is more convenient in terms of travel time and number of boat trips than accessing from Takamatsu Port (Kagawa Prefecture ).
① From JR Okayama Station to Uno Port: Access by train
To get from JR Okayama Station to Uno Port, take the JR Seto(Okayama- Chayamachi) and the JR Uno Minato Line (Chayamachi - Uno).
◆ Fare: 590 yen for adults, 290 yen for children (as of April 2025)
Depending on the time of day, there are direct trains to JR Uno Station, but the basic route is to take the "Marine Liner Rapid" to JR Chayamachi Station and then transfer to a local train bound for JR Uno Station. The transfer at JR Chayamachi Station is relatively smooth, even with large luggage, as the platforms are adjacent to each other. The journey takes about an hour.
There is a general information desk for the Setouchi Triennale inside JR Uno Station. Here you can purchase and exchange your art festival passport (it can also be purchased and exchanged on each island).
② From Uno Port to Naoshima and Teshima Island: Ferry Trip
The ferry terminal for Uno Port is about a 3-minute walk south of JR Uno Station. From here, board the ferry bound for Naoshima(Miyanoura Port) and Teshima Island(Ieura Port, Karato Port).
Important point : As we will explain later, ferries and passenger ships bound for Teshima Island also have services to Shodoshima(Tonosho Port), so they can also be used to access Shodoshima. Please note that the boarding points may differ depending on the type of ship.
To Naoshima(Miyaura, Honmura): Shikoku Kisen operates ferries and passenger ships (high-speed boats). It takes about 20 minutes by ferry to Miyaura Port.
◆Fare: Ferry/passenger boat: 300 yen for adults, 150 yen for children
The passenger ship can access Honmura Port on Naoshima directly, which is not served by ferries, making it convenient for touring the art works in the Honmura area, including the Art House Project and the Naoshima New Museum of Art, which will open after the spring session.
To Teshima Island(Ieura, Karato): Shodoshima Teshima Island Ferry operates ferries and passenger boats (high-speed boats). The ferry takes about 40 minutes to Ieura Port and about 1 hour to Karato Port.
◆Fare: Ferry/passenger ship
・To Ieura Port: 780 yen for adults, 390 yen for children
・To Karato Port: 1,050 yen for adults, 530 yen for children
The passenger boat pier at Uno Port is located about a 5-minute walk Higashi from the ferry terminal. Passenger boats have a smaller capacity than ferries, so we recommend lining up early. On the other hand, it has the advantage of being a shorter journey time.
For the latest fares and timetables, please check the official website of the Setouchi Triennale, or the websites of Naoshima(Shikoku Kisen) and Teshima Island(Shodoshima Teshima Island Ferry).
Access to Inujima: A mecca for contemporary art: Art nestled in silence
Inujima , the only inhabited island Okayama City , is served by regular ferries from Hoden Port in Higashi Ward, Okayama City.
On weekends and holidays during the Setouchi Triennale , you can also access the area directly by boat from the center of Okayama City using the Kyobashi Cruise, which departs from Kyobashi Port on the Asahikawa riverbed.
① From JR Okayama Station to Hoden Port: Access by bus
The main way to get from JR Okayama Station to Hoden Port is by Ryobi Bus . Take the bus bound for Hoden Port from the bus terminal at the east exit of Okayama Station, and you will arrive at Hoden Port in about an hour.
◆ Fare: 880 yen for adults, 440 yen for children (as of April 2025)
Please check the bus timetable on the official Ryobi Bus website.
② From Hoden Port to Inujima: A short trip on a passenger ship
From Hoden Port to Inujima, it's a short 10-minute passenger boat ride.
◆Fare: 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for children (as of April 2025)
Please check the official website of the Setouchi Triennale website for information on boat timetables.
[Special Route] From central Okayama to Inujima: Kyobashi Cruise
The Okayama Kyobashi Cruise , which travels down the Asahikawa from Okayama city center and takes you directly to Inujima , is recommended for those looking for a special experience.
To get to Kyobashi Port, the boarding point, it is convenient to take the streetcar (Okayama Electric Tramway). Take the streetcar bound for Mount Higashiyama from the " Okayama " tram stop at the east exit of JR Okayama Station, and get off at the " Saidaiji" tram stop.
◆Fare: 140 yen for adults, 70 yen for children (as of April 2025)
Kyobashi Port is about a 5-minute walk Higashi along the tracks from Saidaiji tram stop, at the foot of Kyobashi Bridge over the Asahikawa.
◆Fare to Inujima: 2,000 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for children (as of April 2025)
This Kyobashi Cruise also has routes that go via Inujima to Teshima Island(Karato Port), so it is recommended for those who want to efficiently tour both Inujima and Teshima Island.
For boat timetables and other details, please check the official website of the Setouchi Triennale or the Okayama Kyobashi Cruise website.
[Island of Olives and Art] Access to Shodoshima(Tonosho Port): A fusion of rich nature and art
There are boat services to Shodoshima from various ports both inside and outside Okayama Prefecture, but if you are accessing from JR Okayama Station, it is most convenient to use the ferry bound for Shodoshima(Tonosho Port) from Okayama Okayama Port.
① From JR Okayama Station to Okayama Port: Access by bus
From the bus terminal at the east exit of JR Okayama Station, there is a Ryobi bus that departs according to the ferry time, making it very convenient. When you get off the bus, the ferry terminal at Shin Okayama Port is right in front of you.
◆Fare: 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for children (as of April 2025)
For a better deal, there is also the Kamome Bus Ticket, a combined bus and ferry ticket, which costs 1,500 yen for adults and 750 yen for children and can be purchased at the JR Okayama Station Bus Terminal General Information Desk.
② From Okayama Port to Shodoshima(Tonosho Port): A comfortable ferry trip
From Okayama Port, board a ferry and arrive at Shodoshima(Tonosho Port) in about 70 minutes.
◆Fare: 1,200 yen for adults, 600 yen for children (as of April 2025)
For bus and ferry timetables, please check the official website of the Setouchi Triennale or the Kokusai Ryobi Ferry website.
[Reference information] Access by train (JR) and ferry: via Uno Port
Another route to Shodoshima is from JR Okayama Station via Uno Port, and then take the previously introduced Shodoshima Teshima Island Ferry from Uno Port to Tonosho Port. This route is suitable for those who are heading to Shodoshima after stopping off around Uno Port or Teshima Island .
◆ Fare: 1,260 yen for adults, 630 yen for children (as of April 2025)
Please see the instructions for accessing Teshima Island for information on how to get there via this route.
[Autumn-only art experience] Access to the Hon Island: Island scenery overlooking the Seto
The Hon Island ( Marugame City , Kagawa Prefecture ), which will be the venue for the Setouchi Triennale autumn session (October 3rd to November 9th, 2025), can also be accessed directly from the Okayama Prefecture side.
① From JR Okayama Station to JR Kojima Station: Access by train
From JR Okayama Station to JR Kojima Station, the gateway to the Hon Island , take the JR Seto.
◆ Fare: 510 yen for adults, 250 yen for children (as of April 2025)
Although there are local trains operating at certain times of the day, the most convenient option is the Rapid Marine Liner (bound for Takamatsu), which runs every 30 minutes and takes you to JR Kojima Station in about 22 minutes.
When you arrive at JR Kojima Station, go out of the ticket gate and turn right. Once you exit the station, you will see a footbridge. Cross it and walk south for about 3 minutes, and you will see Kojima Tourist Port on your left.
② From Kojima Tourist Port to the Hon Island: A passenger ship journey under the Seto
It takes about 30 minutes to get from Kojima Tourist Port to the Hon Island by passenger ship (Mukujimaru Kaiun).
◆ Fare: 650 yen for adults, 320 yen for children (as of April 2025)
During your boat trip, you will pass under the Seto, one of the world's largest cable-stayed bridges, and the scenery is breathtaking. Don't miss it.
Please check the official website of the Setouchi Triennale or the Mukujimaru Kaiun website for information on boat timetables.
Conclusion: Tips for enjoying the Setouchi Triennale even more
One of the attractions of the Setouchi Triennale is thinking about the routes and means of transportation to the islands of Setouchi . It might be interesting to try out various ways of accessing the islands, just like playing a game. For example, choosing a different sea route on the way there and back, or traveling from Okayama Prefecture(Honshu) to Kagawa Prefecture(Shikoku) via several islands would be a great way to add variety.
During the Setouchi Triennale, access will be improved, including not only boat services to each island, but also special bus services to the ports where the boats depart and arrive. Before you go out, be sure to check the latest information on the official website.
So, enjoy your trip to the wonderful islands of Setouchi!
Location of the introduced spots (map)
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.