Explore Naoshima & Okayama: 3 Day Art Tour with Stay at Ryokan ROKA

As part of the Setouchi Triennale 2025, eight art museums across Kagawa, Okayama, and Hyogo Prefectures will showcase contemporary Japanese artists. This tour visits two museums in Okayama Prefecture and the Naoshima New Museum.

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Ryobi Tours Co., Ltd.

Since our founding in 1971, we have been handling domestic and international travel for over 50 years, and in recent years have expanded our inbound business to include tourists visiting Japan. In particular, our inbound business not only involves arranging accommodation and transportation throughout Japan, mainly in the Seto Inland Sea area, but also arranging international exchange events such as company inspections, medical checkups, and school visits by partnering with medical institutions and local governments, providing excitement and joy to foreign visitors visitors to Japan. Ryobi Tours Co., Ltd. General Website : https://www.ryobi-tours.jp/ Recruitment type package tour Friends Pack https://friendspack.jp/ Setouchi Triennale Official Tourhttps ://ryobi.gr.jp/setouchi-artfest/

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Table of Contents
3-Day Art Experience: Okayama Museums and Naoshima Highlights
Travel Itinerary
Basic tour information (departure date, price, important points, etc.)
Inquiry & Reservation

3-Day Art Experience: Okayama Museums and Naoshima Highlights

This tour visits two museums in Okayama and Naoshima, with three nights and two stays. The Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art features an exhibition by Yuichi Hirako, winner of the “Mr. I Award” for emerging artists in Okayama. At the Ohara Museum of Art, enjoy a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Yasumasa Morimura, set in Yurinso, the historic villa of the Ohara family.

Naoshima is a renowned hub for contemporary art. Take your time exploring the island’s many works, including the famous Chichu Art Museum, designed by Tadao Ando. Ideal for first-time visitors, this relaxed tour includes commentary, allowing you to fully enjoy art harmonized with Setouchi’s natural beauty.

Find out more about this tour

Travel Itinerary

Day 1

JR Osaka Station + (Shinkansen) + JR Okayama Station - Ohara Museum of Art (visit), Kurashiki Historical Quarter (lunch and free time to explore) - Okayama Korakuen Garden - Okayama(dinner and overnight stay)

Begin your journey in Okayama’s Bikan Historical Quarter, a popular tourist spot. Stroll along traditional waterways and willow-lined streets while reflecting on the art tour ahead.

The afternoon began with a visit to the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan’s first private museum dedicated to Western art. Founded in 1930 by Kurashiki businessman Ohara Magosaburo to honor painter Kojima Torajiro, the museum houses works carefully collected during Torajiro’s travels abroad. Highlights include masterpieces by El Greco, Gauguin, Monet, Matisse, and others, marking the beginning of the Ohara Museum’s celebrated collection.

Ohara Museum of Art (image)

This solo exhibition by contemporary artist Yasumasa Morimura is held at Yurinso, a unique Western-style villa originally built for the Ohara family that blends Japanese and Western elements. Born in 1951, Morimura reinterprets famous masterpieces in a self-portrait style, creating new works that bridge himself and the original art. The exhibition combines Yurinso’s historic architecture with modern reinterpretations, incorporating the museum’s history and collection as a central theme.

Ohara Museum of Art (guided tour image)

After visiting the Ohara Museum of Art, we head to Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens. Built by the Ikeda clan, feudal lords of Okayama, it offers a peaceful strolling experience. The first night is spent in Okayama City.

[Accommodation] Okayama Okayama (Standard Twin 32m²)

Okayama Korakuen (image)

[Accommodation] Okayama Okayama (exterior image)

Day 2

Hotel (breakfast) - Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art (visit) - Uno Port - (ferry) - Miyanoura Port - Miyanoura (lunch) - Art House Project (visit na11B Kadoya, na12B Go'o Shrine, etc.)...na27B Naoshima New Museum (visit) - Naoshima(dinner and overnight stay)

The day begins at the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, which collects and exhibits works related to Okayama and hosts dynamic exhibitions and workshops. The museum aims to connect the past, present, and future, as well as Okayama with the world through art and culture. On this visit, you’ll see an exhibition by Hirako Yuichi, the 13th recipient of the “Mr. I Award” for emerging artists.

Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art (image)

Hirako Yuichi studied painting in London and creates a wide range of works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and installations. His art explores the coexistence of plants and humans and the ambiguities and questions that arise in this relationship.

Afterwards, we will head to Naoshima via Uno Port, where we will take our time to appreciate art facilities in the Honmura area of the island, such as the Art House Project and the Naoshima New Museum of Art.

na27B Architecture: Tadao Ando "Naoshima New Art Museum" ⓒTadao Ando Architect & Associates

[Accommodation] Naoshima Ryokan Rokasumi (Deluxe Suite 56m²)

[Accommodation] Naoshima Ryokan Rokasumi (exterior image)

Day 3

Ryokan (breakfast) - na25B Valley Gallery...na20B Lee Ufan Museum (visit) - na19B Benesse House Museum (visit and lunch) - na21B Chichu Art Museum (visit) - Miyanoura Port - (ferry) - Uno Port - JR Okayama Station around 16:30 + (Shinkansen) + JR Osaka Station around 17:35

On the final day, visit Naoshima’s Benesse area, home to the island’s most iconic art sites: Benesse House Museum, Valley Gear Rally, Lee Ufan Museum, and Chichu Art Museum. After a guided introduction, enjoy free time to explore the exhibits, offering a true experience of immersing yourself in art.

na19B Architecture: Tadao Ando "Benesse House Museum"

na21B Art: Claude Monet, James Turrell, Walter de Maria, Architecture: Tadao Ando "Chichu Art Museum" Photo by Seiichi Ohsawa

*Regarding the itinerary marks above, "++" indicates travel by Shinkansen, "-" indicates travel by bus, "~" indicates travel by boat, and "..." indicates travel on foot.

Book this tour

Basic tour information (departure date, price, important points, etc.)

Travel departure date

Friday, October 10, 2025

Travel fee

230,000 to 290,000 yen (adult, per person)

・Twin room for 2 people: 230,000 yen for adults

・One person per room: 290,000 yen per adult (single use or single room)

・Same amount for children

Where to Meet

Meet at 8:20 in front of the Shinkansen Chuo Exit ticket gate at JR Osaka Station

Meet at 9:40 in front of the Shinkansen ticket gate at JR Okayama Station

Minimum number of participants

7 people

If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the event will be cancelled.

・A decision on whether or not to proceed will be made at least three weeks before the trip departure date, and customers who have applied will be notified.

Precautions

・Food provided on tours may not be able to accommodate food allergies.

For more information, please contact the following details.

・Please note that the accompanying tour guide will be English-speaking.

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel the travel contract at any time by paying the following cancellation fee.

Up to 21 days in advance: Free

15 to 20 days before: 20% of the tour price

7 to 2 days before: 30% of the tour price

The day before...40% of the travel fee

On the day (before the trip begins): 50% of the trip price

On the day (after the trip has started)...100% of the trip price

Inquiry & Reservation

Make a reservation here

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Ryobi Tours Co., Ltd. Friends Pack

Ryobi Building 7F, 6-1 Nishiki Town , Okayama City , Okayama Prefecture Kita Ward

Email: fp@ryobi-tours.jp

Written by

Ryobi Tours Co., Ltd.

Okayama

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