Designed for art lovers and curious travellers seeking for a unique cultural immersion journey with visits to outdoor art galleries. Explore Japan through a creative lens and discover the story of the Setouchi Art Islands.
Beyond the iconic Naoshima and Teshima, you’ll venture to lesser-known art islands such as Inujima, Shodoshima, Megijima, and Ogijima, uncovering a world of inspiration far from the usual tourist trail. Perfect for individuals or small groups, this experience blends culture, creativity, and discovery in the most unexpected settings.
The core premise of the Setouchi Art Festival is revitalization through art. For decades, these rural islands in Seto Inland Sea suffered from severe depopulation as youth migrated to major cities in search for better economic success. Launched in 2010, the Setouchi Triennale takes place once every three years and uses site-specific art installations, architecture, and performances to breathe new life into the region.
Rather than confining art to indoor art galleries, international and local artists transform abandoned homes, schools, and natural landscapes into permanent and temporary exhibition spaces. This unique approach actively reconnects contemporary culture with traditional island life, turning a declining industrial region into a global cultural hub while restoring pride and economic vitality to the local island communities.
This is a private tour, crafted exclusively for you and your group for a more intimate and flexible experience. The itinerary can be fully tailored to your preferences—simply let us know your interests, and we’ll personalise it for you.
Trip Details
Enquire now to begin your journey through Japan’s most inspiring art islands.
Private arrangement price from SGD 4,800 per person (Min 2 to go)
Daily departure
Arrive in Kansai International Airport. Then into a private vehicle for a transfer to a hotel recommended by us in the city. Use this day to rest up or take some time to explore Osaka.
Spend a day exploring Okayama, beginning with a ride on the iconic Shinkansen. In Okayama, marvel at the beauty of Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, known for its carefully curated landscapes and seasonal blooms. Then, stroll through the Bikan Historical Quarter, to see Edo-period merchant houses and canals that hold a deep history with folk craft and business. A visit here reveals the creativity and craftsmanship that continue to shape Japan's identity. Spend the night at Uno Port.
Board a ferry to Inujima, a small island home to a population of 30 people. Inujima is known for its innovative art installations that merge contemporary creativity with the remains of a historic copper refinery. Throughout the day, explore the island’s Art House Project, where abandoned buildings have been transformed into captivating art spaces. From Inujima, take a ferry to Teshima and enjoy an overnight stay on the island.
Spend the day on Teshima. Visit the Teshima Art Museum, where the interplay of light, water, and space creates a dynamic sensory experience. Other installations scattered across the island, each revealing a unique perspective on the relationship between art and daily life. In the evening, transfer to Takamatsu for an overnight stay.
Take the ferry from Takamatsu to Naoshima, the most renowned of Japan’s art islands, celebrated for its art museums, outdoor installations, and minimal architecture by Tadao Ando. Wander through the Art House Project, where traditional homes have been transformed into unique artistic expressions. Admire the famous pumpkin sculpture by Yayoi Kusama before returning to Takamatsu, having spent the day experiencing works by some of the world’s most renowned artists.
Two islands in one day. Begin the day by taking a ferry to Ogijima, a small island known for its charming village of narrow alleys overlooking the sea. See art such as colorful murals and sculptures, while discovering the island's unique character. Later, head to Megijima, often associated with the legend of Momotaro, and visit its mysterious caves and see outdoor art exhibits against the backdrop of the Seto Inland Sea. This day provides a chance to see how art breathes new life into these small island communities. End the day back at Takamatsu.
Take a break from island hopping and spend the day in Takamatsu, where the art experience continues with a visit to Ritsurin Garden, a renowned historical landscape garden that showcases Japanese design with natural beauty. Visit Shikoku Village, an open-air museum that showcases traditional rural architecture from across the region. Then wander through the Isamu Noguchi Garden, a space where the renowned artist’s sculptural works are harmoniously integrated with nature.
Take a ferry from Takamatsu to Shodoshima, the largest of the Triennale venues, and explore its vast landscapes, including terraced rice fields, a majestic gorge, and beautiful sunset spots. See how the island is famous for its olives, somen noodles, and soy sauce aged in wooden vats. Afterward, we return to Takamatsu for a final evening before you depart the next day.
Every journey has a final destination, but an art-infused pilgrimage through Japan changes the way you look at the world. You have a few options to head home. We recommend catching a domestic flight out from Takamatsu Airport to Tokyo's Narita Airport.
As you prepare for your departure, take a moment to look back on what you’ve experienced. We are glad you picked our private tour to embrace slow, intentional travel—discovering that Japan’s most breathtaking galleries aren't always housed in grand city buildings, but are woven directly into its rural landscapes, coastal communities, and ancestral heritage.