The Ultimate Naoshima Travel Guide: Part 6

For most visitors to Naoshima, it all starts with where to stay. While many people are laser-focused on Benesse House, the original hotel on the island that is integrated with the museums, alternatives have increased explosively in recent years, so it’s worth considering your options.  

In general, accommodation on the island is more expensive for what you get than in the cities, though this is true for everything on an island. And the options, while diverse, are often in short supply, particularly if you are booking late.  If you require any special services such as transportation for you and/or your luggage, onsite restaurant/spa/etc, or if you have accessibility needs, book a room at Benesse House or Roka as early as possible.  (Some smaller guesthouses will pick you up at the port, but this is not common.)

Beyond Naoshima, there are some great options near the mainland ports that give you more flexibility and access to a wider variety of dinner options. And if you are staying longer than one night, you might consider spending a night on Teshima as well.

Hotels on Naoshima

Benesse House, the original luxury hotel that opened here in 1992, is the gold standard for service and amenities on Naoshima. Stunning sea views, late-night access to museum galleries, star Tadao Ando architecture, port-to-door shuttle service, on-site restaurants, and more—which goes some way toward explaining why it’s so difficult to get a room. The downsides? The rooms are pretty expensive, the interiors and restaurant menus are getting a bit dated, and you are on a remote end of the island, far from the village cafes and shops. Benesse House rooms are available six months ahead of time, and are often snapped up quickly. Don’t fret if a room isn’t available—cancellations are common as there is no payment required to make a reservation. Just keep checking back.

Roka is a luxury ryokan that opened on Naoshima in 2019. Their exquisite suites feature beautiful baths looking out to the forest, and dinner in their restaurant is an extended and delicious experience. Shuttle service is also provided, albeit more limited than Benesse House’s. Onsite massages and other amenities are available. Expect to pay handsomely for the experience.

Mandarin Oriental’s planned Naoshima boutique hotel is scheduled to open in summer 2027. Watch this space for more on that.

My Lodge Naoshima is a more budget-friendly hotel on the mountain near Miyanoura Port. Modern and light-filled rooms, friendly staff, and a nice onsite restaurant featuring Mediterranean-inspired fare using local ingredients. My Lodge also offers lodging in a growing collection of guesthouses and cottages. A steep uphill climb is required to reach the hotel, so it’s not recommended for travelers with accessibility needs.

Hotel Wright Style is another more economical hotel on the island, located midway between Honmura village and the museum area. Their annex features more apartment-style units with full kitchens. They’re connected to Regalo, an Italian restaurant.

Guesthouses on Naoshima

We really love Juju Kiseki House and Juju Art House, two beautiful whole-house rentals in a quiet part of Miyanoura, close to the supermarket and a 5-minute walk from the port. If you’re traveling with family, it’s nice to be able to make breakfast together before heading out on e-bikes to explore the island.

If you want someone else to make your breakfast, try Crow’s Nest, operated by our friends Jen and Ono, just a stone’s throw from Miyanoura Port. Comfortable rooms pair well with fun conversation with the hosts, and Ono’s signature french toast.

Bamboo Village is a lovely guesthouse on a quiet hillside overlooking Honmura village. Its private rooms (with bunk beds!) and shared common areas are great for budget-conscious travelers and—especially—larger groups (up to a dozen people) traveling together.

Tsumuya is another great whole-house rental with a fun retro vibe. The friendly proprietors can pick you up at the port, which is handy as it’s a bit out-of-the-way (though with easy access to the town bus).

Many other Naoshima guesthouses can be found on Booking.com.

Lodging at nearby ports

Uno Hotel is an excellent choice for visitors to Naoshima and Teshima—it’s located across the street from both Uno Port and Uno Station. A nice selection of rooms ranging from suites to shared dorm-style rooms offer something for everyone. Their onsite restaurants are also very popular with visitors.

Uno Port Inn is a fun lodging option, also across the street from Uno Port. It features simple, comfortable rooms above a cafe space with fresh baked goods and friendly staff who are happy to help you plan your island visit.

The Sadou Inn is a beautiful guesthouse and artist residency run by our friends Mel and Christian in Uno. A traditional home with just the right amount of western comforts.

JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu is a large hotel in Takamatsu, across the road from Takamatsu Port. If you are looking for more of a reasonably-priced, western-style hotel near Naoshima, this one fits the bill. Great service, standard hotel amenities, and close to restuarants and shopping. The JR Clement Inn next door is a good option as well.

Lodging on Teshima

Staying a night on Teshima allows you to see the beautiful island when nearly all of the visitors have left. If you have the chance, we definitely recommend it. Note that it is a bit difficult to get to Naoshima for a day trip while staying on Teshima, though not impossible.

Yui operates two gorgeously renovated traditional homes on Teshima.

Usagi House is a small guesthouse operated by Usaginingen, the island’s resident avant-garde performance troupe. Enjoy the unique amenities they’ve prepared to allow for a slow-paced, reflective engagement with Teshima.

The Inn at Teshima Espoir Park offers modern rooms with sea views. It’s located near Ieura Port, next to Umi no Restaurant. Nearby, Umitota is a thoughtfully designed vacation house on the seaside.

More accommodation options on Teshima can be found here.

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