Takamatsu makes an ideal base for taking day trips to the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima in the Seto Inland Sea. Ferry tickets can be purchased at the port on the morning of travel without advance booking, with early boats departing around 7:20 AM. Pack snacks before leaving the mainland, as convenience stores on both islands are extremely limited. On Naoshima, pick up a physical bus timetable at the port information center, as digital map schedules are not always accurate. Local buses require cash as IC transit cards are not accepted, though bicycle rentals are also available at the port.
Most popular museum entry slots on Naoshima sell out quickly and require booking well in advance on the Benesse website. Major highlights include Tadao Ando's Benesse House Museum, the subterranean Chichu Art Museum, Hiroshi Sugimoto's Glass Tea House, and Yayoi Kusama's famous red and yellow pumpkin sculptures. Before catching the return ferry, visit the Naoshima Bathhouse near the terminal, a fully functioning public bath decorated with colorful mosaics and unique artwork. The standard ferry back to Takamatsu departs at 5:00 PM, with a final high-speed boat option at 7:00 PM.
Teshima is roughly a 35-minute boat ride from Takamatsu. Island buses hold only 28 passengers and run approximately every two hours, so line up immediately upon landing or rent a bicycle at the port. Highlights include a wind chime installation set deep in the forest, the vibrant Teshima Yokoo House built inside a traditional home, and the Teshima Art Museum, where visitors remove their shoes to sit inside a massive, open-air concrete shell overlooking rice fields and the ocean. Check opening days in advance, as several smaller galleries on Teshima only open on weekends.
Guide adapted from Sol Life's video "Solo Trip to Japan's Art Islands | Naoshima & Teshima | 2-Day Itinerary (with No Bikes)."