7 DAY JAPAN Tour: Setouchi Art Islands & Naoshima
Trip Introduction
Discover a different side of Japan on this 7-day journey through the Setouchi region, where contemporary art meets tranquil island landscapes.
Beginning in Osaka, travel to Okayama and onward to the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima, home to world-renowned museums, outdoor installations, and serene coastal scenery.
Blending architecture, creativity, and slow island life, this tour offers a refined cultural escape beyond Japan’s classic highlights.
Beginning in Osaka, travel to Okayama and onward to the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima, home to world-renowned museums, outdoor installations, and serene coastal scenery.
Blending architecture, creativity, and slow island life, this tour offers a refined cultural escape beyond Japan’s classic highlights.
Trip code: CBT250703
Itinerary
🥢 Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: osaka arrival (-)
Arrive in Osaka and Meet upon arrival, and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy free time to rest or explore the surrounding area at your own pace.
Overnight in Osaka.
Day 2: to Okayama and Naoshima (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out
Travel by train from Osaka to Okayama, then continue to Uno Port. Take a ferry to Naoshima, Japan’s world renowned contemporary art island.
Upon arrival, explore outdoor installations, seaside sculptures, and the island’s peaceful natural environment. You may also stroll through small coastal villages, visit local cafés, and enjoy panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. The island’s relaxed atmosphere offers a perfect introduction to the Setouchi art region.
Overnight on Naoshima or nearby.
Travel by train from Osaka to Okayama, then continue to Uno Port. Take a ferry to Naoshima, Japan’s world renowned contemporary art island.
Upon arrival, explore outdoor installations, seaside sculptures, and the island’s peaceful natural environment. You may also stroll through small coastal villages, visit local cafés, and enjoy panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. The island’s relaxed atmosphere offers a perfect introduction to the Setouchi art region.
Overnight on Naoshima or nearby.
Day 3: Naoshima Art Tour (B)
Hotel breakfast
Spend the full day exploring Naoshima’s world class contemporary art sites. Visit the Chichu Art Museum, an underground architectural masterpiece by Tadao Ando featuring works by Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria.
Continue to the Benesse House Museum, where art, architecture, and nature blend seamlessly along the coastline. Explore the Art House Project in Honmura village, where traditional homes have been transformed into immersive installations.
You will see Yayoi Kusama’s iconic artwork Pumpkin, located by the seaside within the Benesse Art Site. It is one of the most representative and beloved art landmarks on Naoshima Island.
Enjoy time walking or cycling around the island, discovering hidden sculptures and scenic viewpoints at your own pace.
Overnight on Naoshima or nearby.
Spend the full day exploring Naoshima’s world class contemporary art sites. Visit the Chichu Art Museum, an underground architectural masterpiece by Tadao Ando featuring works by Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria.
Continue to the Benesse House Museum, where art, architecture, and nature blend seamlessly along the coastline. Explore the Art House Project in Honmura village, where traditional homes have been transformed into immersive installations.
You will see Yayoi Kusama’s iconic artwork Pumpkin, located by the seaside within the Benesse Art Site. It is one of the most representative and beloved art landmarks on Naoshima Island.
Enjoy time walking or cycling around the island, discovering hidden sculptures and scenic viewpoints at your own pace.
Overnight on Naoshima or nearby.
Day 4: To teshima, and takamatsu (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out
Take a morning ferry to Teshima, another highlight of the Setouchi art region. Visit the iconic Teshima Art Museum, known for its organic, minimalist architecture that interacts beautifully with light, wind, and water. Explore additional installations scattered across the island’s peaceful villages and rice terraces. Enjoy the slow island atmosphere before taking an afternoon ferry to Takamatsu. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city’s waterfront or local dining scene.
Overnight in Takamatsu.
Take a morning ferry to Teshima, another highlight of the Setouchi art region. Visit the iconic Teshima Art Museum, known for its organic, minimalist architecture that interacts beautifully with light, wind, and water. Explore additional installations scattered across the island’s peaceful villages and rice terraces. Enjoy the slow island atmosphere before taking an afternoon ferry to Takamatsu. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city’s waterfront or local dining scene.
Overnight in Takamatsu.
Day 5: to osaka (B, D)
Hotel breakfast and check out
Free in the morning or enjoy an optional morning visit to Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan’s most beautiful and historic landscape gardens, featuring traditional teahouses, ponds, and manicured pine trees. Spend some time strolling through the peaceful grounds before returning to Takamatsu Station.
Take the train back to Osaka in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy free time exploring the city’s lively shopping streets, cafés, or local dining scene at your own pace.
Enjoy an authentic sumo experience in Oska with reserved seats and a traditional bento meal included. Watch professional wrestlers compete in the ring while learning about the history and rituals of Japan’s national sport. This experience offers a rare chance to witness the power, ceremony, and culture of sumo up close.
Highlights: Osaka Sumo experience
Overnight in Osaka..
Free in the morning or enjoy an optional morning visit to Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan’s most beautiful and historic landscape gardens, featuring traditional teahouses, ponds, and manicured pine trees. Spend some time strolling through the peaceful grounds before returning to Takamatsu Station.
Take the train back to Osaka in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy free time exploring the city’s lively shopping streets, cafés, or local dining scene at your own pace.
Enjoy an authentic sumo experience in Oska with reserved seats and a traditional bento meal included. Watch professional wrestlers compete in the ring while learning about the history and rituals of Japan’s national sport. This experience offers a rare chance to witness the power, ceremony, and culture of sumo up close.
Highlights: Osaka Sumo experience
Overnight in Osaka..
Day 6: osaka city tour (B)
Hotel breakfast.
Full day Osaka city tour begins the day with a visit to Osaka Castle, an iconic symbol of the city surrounded by expansive parkland. Continuing to Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s premier shopping district is filled with boutiques, department stores, and trendy shops. Walk to nearby Dotonbori, famous for its neon lights, giant billboards, and vibrant street food culture. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure—perfect for shopping, café hopping, or discovering Osaka’s modern urban charm.
Overnight in Osaka.
Overnight in Osaka.
Day 7: osaka departure (B)
Hotel breakfast and check-out.Transfer to Osaka Airport for your flight back home. (Trip Ends.)
tour details
tour Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Size of group
Daily departure, min. 2 (guaranteed)
accommodation
- 6 nights including daily hotel breakfast.
- Hotel accommodatíon: Deluxe or Boutique
- Featured Meals: 1 Traditional bento meal dinner in Osaka.
- Happy to arrange more culinary experiences upon request.
Internal transport
- High-Speed Train Shinkansen (Standard seats): Osaka → Takamatsu → Osaka
- Ferry ticket: Okayama → Naoshima → Teshima → Okayama
- Transfers: All airport and train station to hotel round-trip transfers by private vehicle.
sightseeing & Activities
- All mentioned tours, excursion.
- Includes: All first-entry admission tickets to sights, sumo wrestler competition experience
- Guide Service: Professional local English-speaking guide service in each city.
- Spanish, Italian, and German-speaking guides available upon request (may require an additional fee).
travel moments
General Information
Travel Style & Pace
This journey focuses on art, architecture, and island landscapes in Japan’s Setouchi region. The pace is relaxed, with time to explore museums and outdoor installations at leisure.
Island Logisstics & Transportation
Travel includes regional trains, local ferries, and short transfers between islands. Schedules may vary depending on weather and ferry operations.
Ideal For
Designed for culturally curious travelers, art and architecture enthusiasts, and repeat visitors to Japan seeking experiences beyond the classic highlights.
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