Okayama to Naoshima: JR Pass, Train & Ferry Guide
To get from Okayama to Naoshima, take the JR Uno Line to Uno (about 50 minutes), walk to Uno Port (about 5 minutes), then take the ferry to Miyanoura (about 20 minutes).
The ferry is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and the adult fare is ¥370. Here is the full route, with first and last boats, what the pass does and does not cover, and a sample day plan. Ferry and pass details were checked on the official sites on 5 November 2026.
The Route in Four Steps
- Okayama Station to Uno Station on the JR Uno Line. The operator’s access page gives about 50 minutes. Some trains run straight through, and others need a change at Chayamachi, according to third-party guides, so check the board at Okayama.
- Walk from Uno Station to Uno Port, about 5 minutes.
- Buy a ticket at the Uno ferry ticket counter. Reservations are not accepted, and boarding is first come, first served.
- Ferry to Miyanoura, Naoshima, about 20 minutes.
For the Uno side in more detail, see our Uno Port to Naoshima ferry guide and the Uno Port travel guide.
Ferry Timetable (Uno ⇄ Miyanoura)
The operator, Shikoku Kisen, says the car-ferry timetable is the same all year, including holiday periods.
| Direction | Departures |
|---|---|
| Uno → Miyanoura | 06:10, 06:30, 07:20, 08:22, 09:22, 11:00, 12:15, 14:25, 15:30, 16:30, 17:05, 18:53, 20:25 |
| Miyanoura → Uno | 06:00, 06:40, 07:50, 08:52, 09:52, 11:10, 12:45, 14:55, 16:02, 16:35, 17:35, 19:02, 20:25 |
- Adult fare: ¥370 one way. Child (6–12): ¥190.
- Tickets: the ferry counter sells from 5:30 to 20:25.
- Payment: credit cards are accepted at ticket machines only. Passenger boats are cash only.
- Late-night passenger boat: a surcharge applies (adult ¥730 one way, cash only) on the 00:35 Uno departure and the 00:15 Miyanoura departure.
Timetables can change, so check the operator’s page before you travel.
Finding Naoshima Note: The last ferry from Miyanoura to Uno is at 20:25, but your real deadline is earlier. Museums stop admitting visitors in the afternoon (Chichu at 16:00, for example, per our ticket guide). Plan the museum, then the boat, in that order.
What the Japan Rail Pass Covers on This Route
| Segment | Covered by the JR Pass? |
|---|---|
| Shinkansen (Hikari, Kodama, Sakura) to Okayama | Yes |
| Shinkansen Nozomi and Mizuho to Okayama | No, unless you buy the separate Nozomi/Mizuho ticket with your pass |
| JR Uno Line, Okayama–Uno | Yes, as a JR local line (see note below) |
| Ferry Uno–Miyanoura (Shikoku Kisen) | No |
| Naoshima Town Bus | No |
The official Japan Rail Pass site says Nozomi and Mizuho trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are not covered. A separate Nozomi/Mizuho ticket can be bought only together with a valid pass, and it must be bought before boarding. The official pass page says all JR local trains are covered with some exceptions, and it does not name the Uno Line separately, so treat Uno Line coverage as following the general rule and keep your pass handy at the gate.
The only JR ferry covered by the pass is the Miyajima ferry, so the Uno boat is a cash or card fare.
Finding Naoshima Note: Don’t buy a Japan Rail Pass just for this trip. The JR part is a short local ride of about 50 minutes, and the ferry is outside the pass anyway. A pass makes sense only if you are already traveling on JR trains across several cities. If you are, use it for the Shinkansen to Okayama and pay the ferry separately.
A Sample Day Trip from Okayama
This is a planning outline, not a guarantee. Check train times on the day.
- Early: Okayama → Uno (about 50 minutes) → walk to the port.
- Morning ferry to Miyanoura (about 20 minutes). Leave large bags in the Miyanoura lockers, which the operator lists as 26 large, 12 medium and 18 small (see our locker guide).
- Late morning: Honmura and the Art House Project, or a pre-booked museum.
- Afternoon: Chichu, Lee Ufan or Benesse House, depending on your tickets. Benesse museum entry is for a specific date and time, so book ahead.
- Late afternoon: return to Miyanoura with a buffer, then the ferry to Uno and the JR train back to Okayama.
For getting around, see our e-bike rental guide and the Naoshima town bus guide. If you are deciding between a day trip and a stay, our guide to how many days you need lays out the trade-offs.
Check Before You Go This Winter
Chichu Art Museum is closed from January 12 to March 19, 2027, and most other Naoshima museums close from January 12 to 18. See our winter closures guide before you plan a day trip in that window.
Okayama or Takamatsu: Which Side to Use?
Both work. Okayama, via Uno, is the shorter ferry (about 20 minutes). Takamatsu has its own ferry and more to do before or after, which our Takamatsu Port guide covers. If you are arriving from Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka, see how to get to Naoshima from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
FAQ
Does the Japan Rail Pass cover the Naoshima ferry? No. The Uno–Miyanoura ferry is run by Shikoku Kisen, which is outside the pass.
How long is the ferry from Uno to Naoshima? About 20 minutes on the car ferry, and about 15 minutes on the passenger boat.
Can I reserve the ferry? No. The operator says it does not take boarding reservations.
Can I pay by IC card? We could not find IC card acceptance stated on the operator’s pages. Carry cash, since passenger boats and many island services are cash only.
Ferry fares, times and JR Pass rules checked on the official Shikoku Kisen and Japan Rail Pass sites on 5 November 2026. Okayama–Uno train times and fares were not available from an official source, so check JR West on the day.