10-Day Kanazawa → Naoshima Itinerary — Autumn 2026 - Japan Design & Art Islands Journey

22:30

Arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Aim to arrive 2.5 hours before the 01:15 departure. International check-in desks for Japan-bound flights are typically busiest after midnight; use online check-in and have your passport and any Japan entry documents ready.

📍 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, USA

23:45

Clear security and settle into the international departures terminal

The Alaska Lounge (accessible with certain credit cards) or the United Club near Gates N are good options for a quiet pre-flight hour. Grab a light snack and hydrate well before boarding — it's a ~9.5-hour flight.

📍 SEA International Terminal, Concourse A/B

01:15

Depart Seattle on overnight transpacific flight to Tokyo Haneda

Once airborne, set your watch to Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9) immediately to begin adjusting your body clock. Accept the meal service, then prioritize sleep over screens — every hour of rest now pays dividends on arrival day.

📍 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Gate (per boarding pass)

03:00

In-flight rest block — sleep and reset

Use an eye mask, neck pillow, and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Aim for at least 5–6 hours of sleep; the cabin will dim and the crew will keep service quiet during this window.

📍 En route over the North Pacific

07:15

Arrival at Tokyo Haneda Airport

The flight arrives at 07:15 JST. Proceed through immigration and customs; Haneda's international terminal is efficient but allow 60–75 minutes for the full entry process. Collect luggage and head to the JR East Travel Service Center near arrivals to activate your JR Pass if not already done.

📍 Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), Terminal 3 International Arrivals, Tokyo, Japan

08:30

Transfer to Shinagawa Station via Keikyu Airport Line

The Keikyu Line runs directly from Haneda to Shinagawa in about 13 minutes and is covered by IC card (Suica/Pasmo) — not the JR Pass. Purchase a Suica at the airport convenience kiosk if you don't already have one.

📍 Keikyu Airport Line, Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station, Tokyo, Japan

09:00

Light breakfast at Shinagawa Station

Grab a hot breakfast at one of the station's café or bakery stalls — Freshness Burger, Pronto, or a Japanese tamago sando counter all work well. Keep it quick; you want to make the next available Kagayaki shinkansen.

📍 Shinagawa Station Ecute dining concourse, Tokyo, Japan

09:30

Board the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki or Hakutaka) from Tokyo Station

Take the JR Yamanote Line one stop from Shinagawa to Tokyo Station. The fastest Kagayaki service reaches Kanazawa in about 2 hours 30 minutes; the JR Pass covers the full fare. Reserve seats in advance — window seats on the right (D/E side) offer views of the Japan Alps.

📍 Tokyo Station, Hokuriku Shinkansen platforms (22–23), Tokyo, Japan

12:15

Arrival at Kanazawa Station — check in luggage and orient

Hotel Intergate Kanazawa is a short walk or taxi from the station's East Exit. Rooms may not be ready until 15:00; leave heavy bags at the hotel's luggage storage and head out light. Pick up a free city map at the tourist information counter inside the Motenashi Dome.

📍 Kanazawa Station, Kanazawa, Japan

13:00

Lunch at Kanazawa Station area — Omicho-style bowl or ramen

The station complex's basement food hall has solid options including kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl) featuring local Noto ingredients — a low-key preview of Kanazawa's food culture without committing to a full restaurant sit-down on a tired travel day.

📍 Forus Mall or Kanazawa Hyakubangai (station complex), Kanazawa, Japan

14:30

Hotel check-in and freshen up — Hotel Intergate Kanazawa

Rooms are typically available by 15:00. The hotel has a comfortable lounge with local sake and snacks available in the evening — worth knowing for later. Take 30–45 minutes to shower and rest before heading out.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa, Kanazawa, Japan

16:30

Gentle evening stroll through Korinbo district

Korinbo is Kanazawa's relaxed downtown hub — walkable from the hotel via a 15-minute taxi or the Kanazawa Loop Bus (100 yen flat fare). Wander the covered Tatemachi shopping arcade and the open plaza around Korinbo 109; the area is lively at dusk and easy to navigate without a plan.

📍 Korinbo, central Kanazawa, Japan

18:00

Dinner in Korinbo — izakaya or local kaiseki-lite

Kanazawa is famous for its seafood and regional cuisine; look for a local izakaya serving jibuni (duck stew) or crab dishes — Katamachi Street just south of Korinbo has a dense cluster of options. Reservations are not essential for mid-range izakaya on a Wednesday evening, but walking in before 18:30 helps secure a table.

📍 Korinbo/Katamachi dining area, Kanazawa, Japan

19:30

Evening wind-down — return to hotel

Keep the evening short; jet lag after a transpacific crossing is real and tomorrow is a full, energetic day. The hotel's sake lounge is a pleasant, low-effort way to end the night without leaving the building.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa, Kanazawa, Japan

07:30

Breakfast at Hotel Intergate Kanazawa

The hotel serves a Japanese-style breakfast featuring local ingredients including Kaga vegetables and fresh fish — fuel up properly before a long day on foot.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa, Kanazawa

08:30

Kenrokuen Garden — morning opening walk

Arrive right at opening (07:00–18:00 in October, last entry 17:30) to beat tour groups; the low morning light is spectacular on the iconic Kotoji lantern and the central pond. Admission ¥320 at the gate — no reservation needed.

📍 Kenrokuen, 1 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa

10:00

Kanazawa Castle Park

Enter via the Ishikawa-mon gate directly from Kenrokuen — the two sites share a boundary, making the transition seamless. The Hishi Yagura turret interior is open for self-guided exploration and rewards the climb with rooftop views over the city.

📍 Kanazawa Castle, 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa

11:15

Kanazawa Castle Museum and Gyokusen'inmaru Garden

This intimate sub-garden on the castle's south slope is far less visited than Kenrokuen and showcases classical Kaga garden design; a separate ¥310 ticket covers entry. Allow 30–40 minutes for a relaxed loop.

📍 Gyokusen'inmaru Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park

12:15

Lunch at a teishoku restaurant near Korinbo

The streets between the castle and Nagamachi are lined with small lunch spots serving Kaga-ryori set meals — look for handwritten lunch-special boards outside. Kaga-miso soup and simmered local vegetables are the regional staples to try.

📍 Korinbo district, central Kanazawa

13:30

Nagamachi Samurai District — wandering the earthen-walled lanes

The district is freely walkable at any time; the preserved mud-and-stone walls (dobei) and narrow canals are best explored without a map — intentional wandering is the experience. Arrive before 15:00 to also visit the Nomura Clan Samurai House interior (entry ¥550, closes 17:00).

📍 Nagamachi, Kanazawa

14:00

Nomura Clan Samurai House (Nomura-ke)

One of the few samurai residences open inside, with an original tatami reception hall and a small garden considered one of Japan's finest intimate garden compositions. Allow about 45 minutes.

📍 1-3-32 Nagamachi, Kanazawa

15:15

Walk north through Katamachi to Higashi Chaya

The 20-minute walk northeast passes through the lively Katamachi bar and shopping street — a good moment to duck into a konbini or grab a canned coffee before the geisha district.

📍 Route from Nagamachi to Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa

15:45

Higashi Chaya Geisha Teahouse District — free exploration and Shima Ochaya

The preserved Edo-period streetscape is freely walkable; for interior access, Shima Ochaya (¥750) is the only original ochaya open to visitors, with intact ozashiki banquet rooms and geisha artefacts. The district's gold-leaf craft shops and matcha cafés are best browsed before they close around 17:00–17:30.

📍 Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa

17:15

Matcha and wagashi at a Higashi Chaya café

Several small tea rooms in the district serve seasonal wagashi sweets with ceremonial matcha — a natural close to the afternoon. No reservation needed; most close by 17:30 so don't linger too long at the ochaya.

📍 Higashi Chaya district, Kanazawa

18:30

Dinner in the Katamachi area — Kaga cuisine

Katamachi offers the densest concentration of mid-range restaurants specializing in Kaga-ryori; dishes to look for include ji-dako octopus, jibu-ni duck stew, and grilled nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch). Reservations for high-quality spots are recommended — ask Hotel Intergate concierge to book on your behalf in the morning.

📍 Katamachi dining district, Kanazawa

20:30

Return to Hotel Intergate Kanazawa — rest

The hotel is within a 10-minute taxi or 20-minute walk from Katamachi. Tomorrow's anchor activities — the 21st Century Museum and gold-leaf workshops — open no earlier than 10:00, so a proper rest tonight sets you up well.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa, Kanazawa

08:00

Breakfast at hotel or nearby café

The hotel's morning set is a reliable option; alternatively, try a local kissaten (Japanese-style café) along Katamachi for a light Japanese breakfast before the day's walking.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa or Café nearby, Kanazawa

09:30

Arrive at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (SANAA building)

The museum opens at 09:30 — arrive right at opening to beat school groups; the free '交流ゾーン' (Exchange Zone) is always open, but reserve tickets for the paid Collection/Exhibition Zone online in advance, as same-day tickets can sell out.

📍 1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa

09:30

Explore the 21st Century Museum — permanent collection and signature works

Don't miss Leandro Erlich's 'Swimming Pool' — peer down through the glass floor from above and, if timed windows allow, enter the underwater chamber; plan at least 90 minutes for the paid zone to absorb the elliptical SANAA architecture itself.

📍 1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa

11:30

Walk to Higashi Chaya district for gold-leaf workshop

The walk passes through the historic center; stroll via Hashiba-cho for a preview of preserved machiya townhouses before reaching the teahouse quarter.

📍 Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa (approx. 15-min walk northeast of the museum)

12:00

Gold-leaf workshop experience at Hakuichi or Kaikado Kanazawa studio

Hakuichi's Higashi Chaya workshop (open from ~10:00) offers 30–60 min hands-on lacquerware or accessory gilding sessions — book at least a day ahead online; Kanazawa produces 99% of Japan's gold leaf, making this a uniquely local craft.

📍 Higashi Chaya district, Kanazawa

13:15

Lunch in Higashi Chaya district

Try Kaikaro's ground-floor café for matcha sweets, or Pâtisserie Yanagida for gold-dusted confections; savory options like soba or kaiseki-lite bento are available at small restaurants lining Chaya-dori.

📍 Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa

14:30

Transit to D.T. Suzuki Museum

The museum is tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood — a taxi (~¥900) is the easiest option if legs are tiring; the museum closes at 17:00 so arriving by 14:30 allows unhurried time.

📍 3-4-20 Honda-machi, Kanazawa (approx. 20-min walk or short taxi from Higashi Chaya)

14:50

D.T. Suzuki Museum — Water Mirror Garden and contemplative galleries

Yoshio Taniguchi's meditative building honors Zen philosopher D.T. Suzuki; the outdoor Water Mirror Garden is the emotional core — sit in silence at the reflecting pool for at least 15 minutes, the way the design intends. No photography inside the main hall.

📍 3-4-20 Honda-machi, Kanazawa

16:15

Slow walk back toward Katamachi / Korinbo area

This 25-minute walk transitions you back to the city center through quiet side streets; use it as intentional decompression time after the museum's contemplative atmosphere.

📍 Central Kanazawa, between Honda-machi and Katamachi

17:00

Browse Kanazawa's craft shops and design galleries near Korinbo

The area around Korinbo 109 has curated design and craft boutiques — a good place to pick up gold-leaf stationery, Kenzan ceramics, or lacquerware at leisure before dinner.

📍 Korinbo / Tatemachi area, Kanazawa

19:00

Dinner at a Kanazawa izakaya or kaiseki restaurant

Kanazawa's local specialties — crab (kani), nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), and Kaga vegetables — are at their peak in October; a reservation at a mid-range kaiseki or seafood izakaya in Katamachi is strongly recommended, book the evening before if possible.

📍 Katamachi dining district, Kanazawa

20:30

Return to Hotel Intergate Kanazawa and evening rest

The hotel is a short walk or taxi from Katamachi; end the day early to preserve energy for the remaining days of discovery in Kanazawa.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa, Kanazawa

21:00

Optional: Hotel onsen or bath and wind-down

Hotel Intergate Kanazawa features a public bath floor — a Japanese soak before bed is an ideal close to a day spent between art, craft, and contemplation.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa

08:00

Breakfast at Omicho Market

Arrive early when the market is freshest and least crowded. Several small stalls and counters serve rice bowls topped with local seafood — look for kaisen-don at stands near the main entrance. No reservations needed; most counters open by 08:00.

📍 Omicho Market (Omicho Ichiba), central Kanazawa

09:00

Leisurely wander through Omicho Market stalls

Spend unhurried time browsing the 170-plus stalls selling Kaga vegetables, snow crab, sweet shrimp, and pickled delicacies. This is a working neighborhood market, so brief, polite interaction with vendors is welcome; photographing food stalls is generally fine if you ask first.

📍 Omicho Market, central Kanazawa

10:15

Stroll to Nishi Chaya District

The walk through Teramachi gives a quiet, local-feeling transition between sites. Nishi Chaya is Kanazawa's smallest and most serene geisha district — far fewer tourists than Higashi Chaya, making it ideal for a gentle morning.

📍 Nishi Chaya District, western Kanazawa (approx. 20-min walk or short taxi from Omicho)

10:30

Explore Nishi Chaya District and Nishi Chaya Shiryokan

The small Nishi Chaya Shiryokan exhibition hall opens at 09:30 and displays original ozashiki geisha-room furnishings — a rare, intimate look at the district's past. The surrounding preserved machiya townhouse streets are excellent for slow photography.

📍 Nishi Chaya District and Nishi Chaya Shiryokan (free admission)

11:30

Walk through Teramachi Temple District toward Myoryu-ji

The Teramachi district strings together over 60 temples along a gentle hillside. It's a 10-minute walk from Nishi Chaya and serves as a natural approach to Myoryu-ji — take your time on the stone-paved lanes.

📍 Teramachi (Temple Town), southwestern Kanazawa

12:00

Guided tour of Myoryu-ji (Ninja Temple)

Advance reservations are mandatory — book by phone or through your hotel at least a day ahead. Tours run on a fixed Japanese-language schedule (with printed English explanations) and last about 40 minutes; the hidden chambers, trap doors, and secret staircases reward attentive exploration.

📍 Myoryu-ji, 1-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa

13:00

Lunch at a local soba restaurant near Teramachi

Several small soba and udon shops line the streets just outside the temple district. Look for the lunch set menus (teishoku) — typically a bowl, small sides, and pickles — which are finished by 14:00 when many close for the afternoon.

📍 Teramachi neighborhood, near Myoryu-ji

14:15

Afternoon rest and slow café stop in Teramachi or back near the hotel

October afternoons in Kanazawa can be mild and slightly overcast — a good moment to decompress over matcha or coffee before the evening. This is intentional downtime before tomorrow's long travel day; keep this block unscheduled.

📍 Teramachi or Korinbo area, central Kanazawa

16:00

Return to Hotel Intergate Kanazawa to repack and prepare for departure

Tomorrow's transit to Naoshima is a multi-leg journey requiring an early start. Use this time to settle the bill, confirm train departure times, and organize luggage. The hotel front desk can arrange a taxi for the following morning if needed.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa, Kanazawa

18:30

Farewell dinner in the Katamachi entertainment district

Katamachi offers a compact range of izakayas and small restaurants perfect for a relaxed final Kanazawa meal — try local specialties like Kaga cuisine (jibuni duck stew) or fresh sushi. No reservations necessary for most izakayas; arrive before 19:00 for easy seating.

📍 Katamachi district, central Kanazawa (10-min walk from hotel)

07:00

Breakfast and checkout from Hotel Intergate Kanazawa

Settle your bill the night before to keep morning smooth. Grab the hotel's breakfast if open by 07:00, or pick up an onigiri and coffee at the convenience store adjacent to Kanazawa Station — a five-minute walk.

📍 Hotel Intergate Kanazawa, Kanazawa

07:45

Board the limited express Thunderbird toward Osaka/Maibara, then transfer to shinkansen toward Okayama

The fastest routing runs Kanazawa → Maibara (Thunderbird, ~75 min) → Okayama (Nozomi shinkansen, ~75 min); confirm your reserved seats via JR Pass the evening before. Luggage forwarding (takuhaibin) to your Naoshima accommodation is an excellent option — ship bags from a konbini near the hotel the prior evening so you travel light today.

📍 Kanazawa Station, Kanazawa

10:30

Arrive Okayama Station — brief platform transfer to the local Uno Line

Follow signs to the Uno Line (Uno-ko platform); the local train to Uno takes about 50 minutes and runs roughly every 30 minutes. Grab a quick snack or coffee in the station if time allows — options thin out at Uno Port.

📍 Okayama Station, Okayama

11:30

Arrive Uno Port — board the Uno–Naoshima ferry

The Uno–Miyanoura (Naoshima) ferry takes about 20 minutes and runs frequently; buy your ticket (roughly ¥290) at the terminal window. The brightly painted Otomodachi ferry designs by Naoshima artists signal you've entered the art island world.

📍 Uno Port Ferry Terminal, Uno

12:00

Arrive Miyanoura Port, Naoshima — first impressions and Yayoi Kusama's Red Pumpkin

Kusama's polka-dot Red Pumpkin sculpture sits right at the port exit and is free to photograph and enter. Spend 10–15 minutes here; this is the island's welcome landmark and a great orientation moment.

📍 Miyanoura Port, Naoshima

12:30

Lunch at Café Salon Naka-Oku or a nearby port-side eatery in Miyanoura

Café Salon Naka-Oku serves light island lunches in a converted old house; no reservation needed for walk-ins at midday. Seafood curry and udon using local Seto Inland Sea ingredients are the highlights.

📍 Miyanoura village, Naoshima

13:30

Check in to accommodation and drop bags, then pick up the island bicycle or catch the island loop bus

Note that your booked hotel address references Takamatsu — confirm exact Naoshima property details and collect any instructions at the port information desk upon arrival. The island loop bus (¥100 per ride) connects Miyanoura, Honmura, and the Benesse Art Site; a rental bicycle (~¥500/day) gives you full freedom on this compact, hilly island.

📍 Megijima Ote no Yado / Naoshima accommodation base

14:30

Ride or bus south to Benesse Art Site — stroll the outdoor sculpture garden and shoreline path

The outdoor sculptures — including works by Richard Serra and Cai Guo-Qiang — are free to view along the coastal path. Late afternoon light on the Seto Inland Sea from this headland is exceptional; October's clear skies make this one of the year's best viewing windows.

📍 Benesse House outdoor sculpture area, southern Naoshima

16:00

Walk to Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin on the Benesse pier

The Yellow Pumpkin is the island's most iconic image and sits at the end of a small jetty overlooking the sea — free to visit and photograph. Arrive by 16:00–16:30 for the softer angled light; it draws crowds at golden hour so position early.

📍 Gotanji pier, southern Naoshima

17:00

Golden hour along the Benesse coastal path and quiet island decompression

Let the pace drop entirely — this is the island's invitation. The path between the Yellow Pumpkin and the outdoor sculpture garden is uncrowded in early evening and the Seto light is at its most cinematic. No agenda needed here.

📍 Benesse shoreline path, Naoshima

18:30

Return to Miyanoura or Honmura for dinner

Honmura has a small cluster of quiet restaurants serving locally caught fish; reservations are advisable for sit-down dining — ask your accommodation to book ahead. Alternatively, the Miyanoura port area has a handful of casual spots open to walk-ins.

📍 Honmura village or Miyanoura, Naoshima

20:00

Evening rest at accommodation — settle in for the full art days ahead

Naoshima goes quiet early; use the evening to review museum ticket reservations for tomorrow. Chichu Art Museum requires advance timed-entry booking online — confirm your slot for Day 7 tonight.

📍 Naoshima accommodation

08:00

Breakfast at Cafe Salon Naka-Oku or hotel

Many island eateries open at 8:00; if staying near the Benesse zone, the Benesse House café serves a simple morning set. Eat early — Chichu timed entry slots fill fast and you want to be at the gate by 09:30.

📍 Near Honmura or Benesse area, Naoshima

09:30

Arrive at Chichu Art Museum (entry and orientation)

Timed tickets must be reserved in advance at chichu.jp; the museum opens at 10:00 but queuing begins earlier. Remove shoes for the James Turrell 'Open Sky' room — allow your eyes 5–10 minutes to adjust for the full effect.

📍 Chichu Art Museum, 3449-1 Naoshima, Kagawa

10:00

Explore Chichu Art Museum — Monet Water Lilies room, Turrell, and De Maria installations

Budget at least 90 minutes inside; the five Monet canvases occupy a white-marble chamber designed so natural light shifts the paintings throughout the day — morning light is particularly luminous. Photography is not permitted inside any gallery.

📍 Chichu Art Museum, Naoshima

11:45

Walk the Chichu Garden (Monet-inspired plantings) and pause at the overlook terrace

The small garden replicates plants from Monet's Giverny; the terrace beyond it offers a rare open view of the Seto Inland Sea — a quiet counterpoint to the buried interior you just left.

📍 Chichu Garden, adjacent to museum entrance

12:15

Lunch at Chichu Café or packed bentō on the museum terrace

The café serves light island-sourced sets (rice, grilled fish, vegetables); portions are modest, so order generously. Alternatively, buy a bentō the evening before from a Honmura shop if you prefer to eat outside at your own pace.

📍 Chichu Café, Chichu Art Museum grounds

13:15

Transit to Lee Ufan Museum by museum shuttle or foot path

The museums are roughly 10 minutes apart by the free island shuttle that runs between the Benesse cluster; check the posted timetable at Chichu's entrance before you leave. Walking the hillside path (15–20 min) is pleasant in October's mild temperatures.

📍 Lee Ufan Museum, 1390 Naoshima, Kagawa

13:30

Lee Ufan Museum — dialogues between stone, steel, and silence

Tadao Ando designed this semi-subterranean pavilion specifically around Lee Ufan's minimalist 'Relatum' works; allow 45–60 minutes and resist the urge to rush — the long pauses between objects are intentional. The final courtyard piece is best seen in afternoon light.

📍 Lee Ufan Museum, Naoshima

14:45

Transit to Benesse House Museum and grounds

A short walk or shuttle hop south from the Lee Ufan Museum; pick up a Benesse House site map at the entrance desk to navigate the outdoor sculpture trail efficiently.

📍 Benesse House Museum, 琴弾地, Naoshima

15:00

Benesse House Museum — permanent collection and building architecture

The building itself is an Ando work; the permanent collection mixes Bruce Nauman, Richard Long, and Japanese contemporary artists. Give 60–75 minutes to the interior galleries, then step out to the cliffside sculpture area before the light softens.

📍 Benesse House Museum, Naoshima

16:15

Outdoor sculpture walk along the Benesse cliffside and beach

Niki de Saint Phalle's large-scale works and George Rickey's kinetic steel pieces are scattered along the path above the sea — October afternoon light here is golden and ideal for unhurried looking. The trail loops back to the museum entrance in about 30 minutes.

📍 Benesse House outdoor sculpture trail, Naoshima

17:30

Sunset drinks at Benesse House Terrace Bar or the beach below

Non-overnight guests can access the terrace bar during opening hours; a beer or glass of local Kagawa sake while watching the Seto ferries move through the last light is a fitting close to the day's immersion in Ando's architecture.

📍 Benesse House Terrace or beach, Naoshima

19:00

Dinner in Honmura village

Restaurants like Shio (seafood) and the informal izakayas near the ferry pier are popular with island visitors; reservations are advisable for the smaller spots, especially on weekends. The island's specialties include fresh tai (sea bream) and Kagawa-style udon.

📍 Honmura district, Naoshima

07:30

Slow breakfast at or near Benesse House

October mornings on Naoshima are crisp and golden — eat outside if possible. Pick up a site map for the Art House Project at the café counter or visitor desk before heading out.

📍 Benesse House area or café near Miyanoura port

09:00

Cycle or walk to Honmura village

Rental bicycles are available near Miyanoura port for roughly ¥500–800/day — the flat coastal road to Honmura takes about 15 minutes by bike or 35 minutes on foot. Go early; Art House Project sites open at 10:00 and the Minamidera (James Turrell) slots fill fast.

📍 Honmura, Naoshima

09:30

Reserve timed entry for Minamidera (James Turrell – 'Backside of the Moon')

Purchase your Art House Project passport (¥1,050) here and immediately queue or register for the Minamidera time slot — only a handful of visitors enter per session. Booking on-site on the day is the only option; there is no advance online reservation.

📍 Art House Project ticket office, Honmura

10:00

Art House Project – Kadoya (Tatsuo Miyajima, 'Sea of Time '98')

A renovated traditional house filled with LED counters reflected in a shallow pool — the dim interior makes the light-work electric. Remove shoes at the entrance; the floor is dark and wet around the pool edge.

📍 Kadoya, Honmura

10:30

Art House Project – Gokaisho (Shinro Ohtake)

A layered, obsessive collage installation inside a restored meeting hall — allow 20 minutes to absorb the density of found objects and material. One of the more quietly overwhelming works on the island.

📍 Gokaisho, Honmura

11:00

Art House Project – Minamidera (James Turrell, 'Backside of the Moon')

Stand completely still for the first five minutes of total darkness — your eyes will eventually reveal Turrell's light field. Do not use your phone; the experience depends on absolute dark adaptation.

📍 Minamidera, Honmura

11:45

Art House Project – Haisha (Shinro Ohtake, 'Dreaming Tongue / Bokkon-Niwa')

A dentist's former home remade into a rambling exterior and interior sculpture — the Statue of Liberty emerging from the roof is the island's most playful landmark. Explore all three floors freely.

📍 Haisha, Honmura

12:30

Lunch at Café Salon Naka-Oku or Honmura Lounge

Honmura Lounge & Archive (near the Art House ticket office) serves light set lunches and local Kagawa ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere. No reservation needed; arrive by 12:30 to avoid the midday wait.

📍 Honmura village center

14:00

Ando Museum

Tadao Ando's smallest and most personal museum — he converted a 100-year-old wooden house and buried a concrete labyrinth beneath it. The contrast between the warm timber exterior and the cool subterranean concrete core is the whole argument. Roughly 30–45 minutes is the right amount of time here.

📍 Honmura, Naoshima (within walking distance of Art House sites)

15:15

Slow afternoon walk along the Honmura seafront

The afternoon light on the Seto Inland Sea in October is exceptionally warm — this stretch of coast between Honmura and Miyanoura rewards an unhurried 40-minute stroll. There is almost nothing to do here, which is entirely the point.

📍 Honmura waterfront path, Naoshima

17:30

Naoshima Bath 'I Love Yu' (Shinro Ohtake)

A fully functioning public bathhouse transformed into a chaotic, joyful art installation — bring a small towel or rent one at the entrance for ¥50. The bath opens at 14:00 on weekdays and 10:00 on weekends; entry is ¥660. Men's and women's sides are separated in the traditional sento manner.

📍 Near Miyanoura port, Naoshima

19:00

Dinner at restaurant near Miyanoura port

Shokudo Aisunao and a handful of small izakayas cluster near the port — fresh-caught fish from the Seto Inland Sea is the move. Portions are generous and service is unhurried; this is a good night to eat slowly and reflect.

📍 Miyanoura port area, Naoshima

06:30

Wake up and check out of Benesse House / island accommodation

Settle your bill the night before if possible. Pack light for the transit day — luggage storage is available at Okayama Station if you arrive with time to spare.

📍 Naoshima, Kagawa Prefecture

07:00

Final morning walk to the waterfront and Yellow Pumpkin pier

The Seto Inland Sea light is extraordinary at dawn with no crowds. A 20-minute walk is enough to say a quiet goodbye to the island before the ferry rush.

📍 Naoshima southern shore near Benesse ferry pier

08:00

Board the ferry from Miyanoura Port to Uno Port

Ferries run roughly every hour; the crossing takes about 20 minutes. Confirm the morning schedule at the port — the 08:00–08:20 departure gives comfortable margin for the Uno–Okayama bus connection.

📍 Miyanoura Port, Naoshima

08:20

Arrive Uno Port and board the direct bus to Okayama Station

The Shimoden bus departs Uno Port for Okayama Station in about 70–80 minutes. Buy tickets at the port kiosk; IC cards are not accepted on all Shimoden routes, so have yen ready.

📍 Uno Port, Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture

09:45

Arrive Okayama Station — breakfast and light exploration of the station precinct

The station's underground Ichibangai food hall has excellent local options: Okayama-style demi-katsu and fresh kibi dango. This is your best chance for a proper sit-down breakfast before the shinkansen leg.

📍 Okayama Station, Okayama City

11:00

Board the Nozomi or Hikari Shinkansen from Okayama to Tokyo Station

The Nozomi covers Okayama–Tokyo in roughly 3 hours 15 minutes. Reserve seats in advance on the JR Pass or Tokai website — window seats on the right side (D/E) offer Fuji views on clear October days.

📍 Okayama Station Shinkansen platforms

14:30

Arrive Tokyo Station — transfer to your hotel and check in

Allow 30–45 minutes to cross the city depending on your hotel's neighborhood. Use the Yamanote or Chuo Line from Tokyo Station; taxis are convenient if you have heavy bags after the island trip.

📍 Tokyo Station, Marunouchi, Tokyo

16:00

Rest and refresh at the hotel; repack for the overnight flight

Tonight is a pre-flight night — prioritize a shower, a proper meal, and an early bedtime over sightseeing. Confirm your Haneda departure time and set your alarm with airport transfer time built in.

📍 Your Tokyo hotel

18:30

Dinner near the hotel — a satisfying final Japanese meal

Opt for something grounding after a travel day: a good ramen-ya, a quiet izakaya, or a sushi counter. Avoid heavy alcohol before the overnight flight. Ask hotel staff for a nearby reservation-free recommendation.

📍 Neighborhood near your Tokyo hotel

20:30

Return to hotel, finalize packing, and rest before early Haneda departure

Haneda is well-connected by the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail; a 60-minute lead time from the hotel is typically sufficient, but confirm your terminal (T3 for most international departures) and any airline check-in cut-off requirements.

📍 Your Tokyo hotel

00:30

Final hotel checkout and transfer to Haneda Airport

Depart your hotel by 00:30 to reach Haneda comfortably for the 02:20 departure. The Tokyo Monorail runs until around midnight; confirm your transfer method (taxi or pre-booked car) in advance — a taxi from central Tokyo takes 30–45 minutes at this hour.

📍 Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), Tokyo, Japan

01:00

Check-in, bag drop, and international departure security

International departures at Haneda are smooth but allow a full 80 minutes before a 02:20 departure. Duty-free shops in the international terminal are open 24 hours — a last chance to pick up Japanese whisky or snacks for the flight home.

📍 Haneda Airport International Terminal, Tokyo, Japan

02:20

Departure: Flight from Tokyo Haneda to Seattle-Tacoma

Flight crosses the International Date Line westward, arriving Seattle the same calendar morning. Settle in early — the roughly 9-hour flight is a good opportunity to rest fully before landing.

📍 Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), Departure Gate — International Terminal

06:30

In-flight breakfast service and gentle wake-up

Most transpacific morning arrivals serve a full breakfast 2–3 hours before landing. Eat, freshen up, and adjust your watch to Pacific Time — Seattle is arriving soon.

📍 In flight over the North Pacific

09:52

Arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

US Customs and Border Protection processing can take 30–60 minutes; Global Entry holders use the expedited kiosks. Baggage claim for international flights is typically on the ground level of the main terminal.

📍 Seattle-Tacomo International Airport (SEA), Seattle, USA

11:15

Ground transfer home or to hotel — trip complete

Link Light Rail departs every 8–15 minutes from the airport's basement station and reaches downtown Seattle in about 40 minutes for ~$3. Rideshare pickup is on the third floor of the parking garage. Welcome home.

📍 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Arrivals Level

10-Day Kanazawa → Naoshima Itinerary — Autumn 2026 - Japan Design & Art Islands Journey

Day 1 — 2026-10-06

Day 2 — 2026-10-07

Day 3 — 2026-10-08

Day 4 — 2026-10-09

Day 5 — 2026-10-10

Day 6 — 2026-10-11

Day 7 — 2026-10-12

Day 8 — 2026-10-13

Day 9 — 2026-10-14

Day 10 — 2026-10-15

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