Stunning Art! Setouchi Triennale 2022: Highlights, Access, and Tickets

Celebrating Art and Nature at the Setouchi Triennale 2022

Teshima Island scenery

The Setouchi Triennale 2022 will be held from April 14 until November 6, 2022.

This a festival of modern art is being held on the twelve islands and two ports of the Seto Inland Sea in Kagawa and Okayama. Since 2010, the festival has been held triennially, with 2022 being its fifth opening.

The event is held in areas like Shodoshima, a popular resort destination, and Naoshima, an art island home to works by renowned artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Tadao Ando.

However, one of the best parts of the Setouchi Triennale is the opportunity to experience the islands' nature and history, try local food, and interact with the residents--all through the art!

*The islands and ports where the festival is located may differ by the year. For further information, please refer to the Setouchi Triennale website.

3 Reasons to Visit the Setouchi Triennale

You can enjoy more than two hundred different works of art at the Setouchi Triennale. The following is a list of three great qualities of this festival.

*The pieces introduced in this article include past works.

1. Experience the Nature of the Islands

Kanako Nakashima, "Transition House," 2013. Photo courtesy of Kimito Takahashi

Waves caressing the beachhead, trees swaying in the breeze, the sun coloring the sky as it rises and sets are part of the stunning natural landscape of the Setouchi Islands. The artwork at the Setouchi Triennale will invite you to explore the island nature.

One example is "Transition House"on Takamijima. Rays of sunlight spill through the holes in the walls and ceiling onto the floor. The lights change with the seasons and weather, making every visit unique.

"Transition House" and other pieces will transport you into an alternate dimension, and they may even change the way you experience the world around you.

2. Encounter Island Culture

Yodogawa Technique, "Child Chinu - the Black Sea Bream of Uno," 2016. *Child variant of the original Chinu artwork created in 2010. Photo courtesy of Yasushi Ichikawa

"Child Chinu - the Black Sea Bream of Uno" is a landmark piece of Uno Port in Okayama Prefecture. From afar, the structure appears simply as a cute and colorful fish. However, upon close inspection, you will see that it is composed entirely of waste products.

"Child Chinu" is an example of artists incorporating elements found in the daily lives of residents into their pieces.

The art is not limited to non-interactive structures. On Naoshima is "I ♥ YU", a public bath full of art. Meanwhile, visit Megijima to appreciate a hair salon and a laundromat transformed by art called "Little Shops on the Island."

These facilities are open to the public--guests can take a bath or get a haircut. Locals also frequent these places, so you might make some new friends during your visit!

3. Enjoy Local Food

Ryo Abe, "Shima Kitchen," 2010. Photo Courtesy of Osamu Nakamura

The Setouchi Islands are famous for dishes using local seafood and produce. As such, food is another essential element in making the most out of your visit to the festival. You will find a whole host of restaurants in the area.

One example is Shima Kitchen on Teshima. Founded in 2010 to bring people together through the use of food and art, this restaurant set in a traditional Japanese home, and is loved by locals and those from out of town.

Restoring the Island

An artist working together with island residents (Awashima Island, 2019)

When you think of art, you may imagine a painting you silently admire inside a museum.

However, behind the Setouchi Triennale is a strong desire from artists and locals to revitalize the islands, faced with issues brought upon by a declining population. It is this passion that inspires the idiosyncratic artworks of the festival.

Seasons of the Setouchi Triennale

The Setouchi Triennale 2022 is held for three separate seasons.

The eastern islands of Shodoshima, Naoshima, Teshima, Inujima, Ogijima, Megijima, and Oshima, are open through all three festival seasons. On the other hand, Takamijima, Honjima, Awashima, and Ibukijima are only accessible during the fall season. Shamijima limited to the spring.

For information on where each island is located, please refer to the Setouchi Triennale website.

"Ibuki Tree" by Takashi Kuribayashi (2019)

With famous art pieces on Naoshima and Teshima, the eastern islands are recommended for first-time visitors. On the other hand, the western islands also have a unique appeal. For instance, the "Ibuki Tree," a work created on the island of Ibukijima gathered a lot of attention at the Setouchi Triennale 2019. This work celebrates life while being inspired by local traditions.

We recommend visiting in fall for those seeking a deeper experience at the Setouchi Triennale!

Limited-Time Events and Artwork

"The seed is the ship" Project by Hibino Tatsuhiko (Awashima, 2019)

Around half of the art pieces will remain at their respective sites after the festival, so you can enjoy visiting the Setouchi Islands at any point in the future.

However, there are many events and pieces that can only be seen during the festival dates. For instance, at the previous edition of the Triennale, one of the artists created a ship for visitors to tour along the island shore.

In 2022, there will also be limited-time events and art pieces. Please check the official website of the Setouchi Triennale 2022 for details!

Hotels Where You Can Experience the Charm of Island Life

Picture courtesy of PR Times

We suggest staying overnight on the islands in order to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the area.

There are several hotels and accommodation facilities on the islands that host events related to the Setouchi Triennale. One of the facilities that is gathering much attention is Naoshima Ryokan ROKA, a contemporary ryokan scheduled to open in April 2022. They offer refined cuisine made with fish from the Seto Inland Sea. Moreover, visitors can enjoy art displays within this stylish ryokan!

Also on Naoshima, there is Benesse House, a hotel where visitors can leisurely enjoy nature and art. Another wonderful accommodation facility is Le Port Awashima where guests can enjoy the tranquil island atmosphere.

Access and Convenient Discount Passes

Uno Port

One of the most exciting parts about the Setouchi Triennale is that you get to travel by boat! Gazing out at the gentle waves of the Seto Inland Sea while traveling by ferry or boat is indeed a truly special experience.

The following table shows the destinations you can travel to from each port.

If you board a ferry from Takamatsu Port or Uno Port, you can purchase and use a Common Boarding Ticket (2,600 yen with tax), which allows unlimited ferry boat rides for three days!

A one-way trip from Takamatsu to each island costs between 500 and 700 yen. If you plan to visit more than two islands in three days, using the Common Boarding Ticket is much more convenient!

Digital Tickets Available! Setouchi Triennale Passes and Tickets

In order to see the art displays, you'll need tickets or the Setouchi Triennale passes.

We highly recommend the Three-Season Passport. This pass can be purchased for 5,000 yen (with tax) and gives you access to all the exhibits throughout the entire edition of Setouchi Triennale 2022.

There is also a Digital Passport for the Setouchi Triennale 2022 available as a smartphone application. The Digital Passport is available in five languages (English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean) and also includes discount coupons!

Visitors on a day trip can purchase Day Tickets (1,800 yen with tax). Please check the official ticket page of the Setouchi Triennale for details.

Official Guided Tours That Include Island Trips

From 3 Reasons to Go on an Official Tour at the Setouchi Triennale

If you wish to leisurely enjoy visiting the islands, we suggest taking part in an official guided tour that includes iland trips by chartered boats. You'll be accompanied by local guides who are well-acquainted with the area. The information they offer is a chance to get a deeper understanding of both the artwork on display and the charm of living on the Setouchi islands.

You can book a guided tour on the official website of the Setouchi Triennale.

Coin Lockers and Rental Bicycles

The Takamatsu Port area

Visiting the festival involves a fair amount of walking as the art pieces are scattered across each island.

Carrying large bags or luggage may make it difficult to get around. Therefore, make sure you either leave your bags at your hotel or use coin lockers.

For information on coin lockers, please refer to this Triennale page (Japanese). Alternatively, consider using the coin lockers at the JR Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port, which are listed on the official Takamatsu city website.

For getting around the islands, you can rent bicycles or use the community bus. Please see the Setouchi Triennale 2022 website for further information.

Due to fluctuating temperatures in spring and fall, remember to take a coat or a jacket with you. During the summer, remember to wear a hat, use sunscreen, and stay hydrated.

English-speaking staff members are present at the festival, but locals may not be as skilled at the language. Be sure to prepare in advance by learning basic phrases by reading these articles to help you with Japanese.

Main image: "A gift from the Sun" by Choi Jeonghwa (Shodoshima Island)