Naoshima・ A New Way to Experience the " Teshima"! Make the Most of Uno Port Report to Prepare for Island Travel

Uno Port, located in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, is about a 3-minute walk from the ticket gates at JR Uno Station. It is widely known as the gateway to the “Art Islands,” such as Naoshimaand Teshima. It is also close to Naoshimaand Teshima, making it a place that island residents use on a daily basis.
But the harbor’s appeal doesn’t stop there. In recent years, stylish cafes and restaurants have opened, and the number of lodging options has increased, transforming it into a charming harbor town that greatly enhances the travel experience.

There are several ways to get to Uno Port.

◆If you take the limited-express bus (departing from the bus terminal in front of Okayama Station), you’ll arrive in the area around Uno Port in about 50 minutes.
◆If you’re traveling by train, take the JR Uno Minato Line.

Get off at “Chayamachi Station,” an intermediate station on the JR Seto Ohashi Line (Rapid Marine Liner) connecting Okayama Station and Takamatsu Station, then transfer to the JR Uno Minato Line to arrive at Uno Station in 25 minutes.
There are also direct trains on the Uno Minato Line from Okayama Station to Uno. Since they run infrequently, you’ll need to check the schedule, but the trip takes about 50 minutes with no transfers.

No matter which route you choose, as soon as you step off the train at Uno Station, you’ll see the ocean—and that location alone makes you feel like your journey has already begun.

Here’s an important point to keep in mind at Uno Port: the boarding areas for ferries and small passenger boats are different.
You’ll reach the ferry terminal immediately after exiting the ticket gates at Uno Station and heading straight ahead. You can board the ferry with your car, and tickets can be purchased on the spot. It’s an easy route to follow.

On the other hand, the passenger ship terminal is located on the left as you face the sea, about 400 meters from the ferry terminal. Although it’s only a 5- to 6-minute walk, it’s not uncommon to see travelers who’ve gone to the wrong terminal dragging their suitcases and running at full speed.

If we match the destinations with the types of ships, the results are as follows.

◆ Naoshima・To Miyaura Port (the main port where “Aka Kabocha” and bike rental shops are located) → Both ferries and passenger boats are available
◆ Naoshima・To Motomura Port (for those heading to the Motomura area, home to the New Museum of Art Naoshimaand Art House Project) → Passenger boats only
◆ To Teshima& Shodoshima→ Both ferries and passenger boats are available

Before you leave, be sure to check “which port on the island you’re heading to” and “what time the boat departs and from which pier.” This is the first step to making the most of Uno Port.

When heading to Uno Station or the harbor area, it’s best to aim to arrive about one hour before your scheduled departure time, if possible. It’s a good idea to allow plenty of time to check the boarding pier and purchase your ticket in advance.
Ideally, you should arrive at the boarding pier at least 15 minutes before departure. This will give you some leeway in case you go to the wrong pier by mistake. During busy periods, there may be lines, so be sure to arrive early.

Even if you arrive an hour early, you’ll hardly ever find yourself with too much time on your hands.
At Uno Station, you can shop for souvenirs or enjoy a cup of coffee or soft-serve ice cream. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes within walking distance of the port, so you can fuel up before your island adventure.
What’s more, with many works of art scattered throughout the area—including the Uno Station building itself—strolling around and admiring them will only heighten your excitement for your island getaway.
Before you know it, an hour will have flown by as you stroll around and take photos.

During peak travel seasons—such as long weekends and summer vacation—or events like the Setouchi International Art Festival, when crowds are expected, it’s common for all restaurants on the island to be fully booked or sold out…
That’s why we recommend the following strategies: “Eat at Uno Port before crossing to the island,” or “ Naoshima, return from Miyaura Port to Uno Port for lunch.” The area around Uno Port offers a wide variety of dining options, ranging from chain restaurants to popular spots that require reservations.

For example, on days when it’s likely to be crowded, if you make a reservation in advance at a restaurant near Uno Port and have an early lunch before heading to the island, you’ll significantly reduce the anxiety and stress of worrying that you might miss out on lunch there. Since there are many popular restaurants, we recommend checking their hours and reservation availability in advance.

Also, if you find yourself on the island and all the places are full and you can’t get in, one option is to head back to Uno Port for lunch. NaoshimaThe ferry ride from Miyaura Port to Uno Port takes about 15 to 20 minutes, with ferries running about once an hour… When you think about it, in terms of both time and cost, it’s pretty much the same as getting around the island by bus. Ferries are relatively less crowded during lunchtime compared to the morning or evening, so you can easily return to the island after lunch.
Once you can use the ferry just as easily as you would a train or bus, you’ll surely be a pro at island travel!

Once you arrive on the island, cash is generally the primary form of payment. There are convenience stores and ATMs near Uno Port, so it’s a good idea to get some cash before heading to the island.(Please note that while there are convenience stores at Naoshimaand Shodoshima, there is no convenience store at Teshima!)
In addition, many shops around Uno Port are closed on Mondays. This is because their schedules align with the closing days of the art facility at Naoshima, so if you plan to stop by Uno Port on a Monday, we recommend checking the business hours in advance.

Uno Port is dotted with a variety of attractions—from art to cuisine—all set against the atmosphere of a port town. It’s sure to add a rich touch to both the beginning and end of your journey. If you’re traveling to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, be sure to set aside some time in your itinerary to enjoy Uno Port itself.