Uno Port to Naoshima Ferry Guide: Complete Timetable, Fares & Transfer Tips

Connecting the mainland of Okayama Prefecture to the world-famous “Art Island,” the ferry journey from Uno Port to Naoshima is the shortest, most frequent, and most popular maritime crossing on the Seto Inland Sea.

Whether you are traveling from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka via Okayama Station, Uno Port serves as the primary gateway for international visitors venturing to Naoshima’s architectural wonders and contemporary art installations.

Navigating ferry terminals, selecting the right arrival port on Naoshima, and coordinating your train-to-boat connection can feel confusing if it is your first time. This complete transfer guide provides everything you need to know: full timetables in easy-to-read tables, current ticket prices, step-by-step terminal navigation, and local travel advice curated by the expert team at Finding Naoshima.

At a Glance: Key Route Information

Two primary ferry routes connect Uno Port with Naoshima, operated by Shikoku Kisen:

Route Option	Vessel Type	Travel Time	Adult One-Way Fare	Departure Frequency	Best Destination For
Uno ➔ Miyanoura Port	Car Ferry	~20 mins	¥370	~13 departures / day	Main Gateway: Rental bikes, town buses, Red Pumpkin
Uno ➔ Miyanoura Port	Passenger Speedboat	~15 mins	¥370	~4 departures / day	Quick connection, catching early museum slots
Uno ➔ Honmura Port	Passenger Speedboat	~20 mins	¥370	~5 departures / day	Art House Project: Direct access to Honmura village

Finding Naoshima Local Tip:

Miyanoura Port is Naoshima’s main hub where you will find electric bike rentals, coin lockers, and the main town bus terminal. Honmura Port is a smaller dock located right in the heart of the Art House Project district on the east side of the island.

Complete Uno Port to Naoshima Timetable

Schedules are operated by Shikoku Kisen and run regularly throughout the year. Always verify departure times during peak holiday seasons and festival periods.

1. From Uno Port to Naoshima

Uno Port ➔ Miyanoura Port (Car Ferry)

• Travel Time: Approx. 20 minutes
• Vehicle Boarding: ✅ Passengers | ✅ Bicycles & Motorbikes | ✅ Cars
• Best for: Return trips to Uno Port for foot passengers, cyclists, and vehicle drivers.

Departure (Uno Port)	Arrival (Miyanoura Port)	Travel Notes & Recommendations
06:10	06:30	Early morning departure; ideal for beating peak tourist crowds.
06:30	06:50	Connects smoothly with the 07:03 Town Bus to Honmura & Tsutsujiso.
07:20	07:40	Connects with the 07:41 Town Bus; great for early morning arrivals.
08:22	08:42	Highly Recommended: Perfectly connects with the 09:06 Town Bus to catch 09:30/10:00 museum opening slots.
09:22	09:42	Popular Morning Ferry: Connects with the 10:00 Town Bus to Honmura & Tsutsujiso.
11:00	11:20	Connects with the 11:25 Town Bus; ideal for midday arrivals and lunch in Miyanoura.
12:15	12:35	Connects with the 12:40 Town Bus; great for afternoon art exploring.
14:25	14:45	Connects with the 14:48 Town Bus; perfect for late afternoon museum visits.
15:30	15:50	Popular Evening Ferry: Connects with the 15:53 Town Bus to Honmura or hotel check-ins.
16:30	16:50	Connects with the 16:53 Town Bus; ideal for evening accommodation arrivals.
17:05	17:25	Connects with the 17:30 Town Bus; great for dinner and evening stays on Naoshima.
18:53	19:13	Connects with the 19:15 Town Bus; night arrival service.
20:25	20:45	Final Car Ferry of the Day: Connects with the final 20:45 Town Bus.

Uno Port ➔ Miyanoura Port (Passenger Speedboat)

Departure (Uno Port)	Arrival (Miyanoura Port)	Travel Notes & Recommendations
13:30	13:45	Foot Passengers Only: Connects smoothly with the 13:57 Town Bus to Honmura & Tsutsujiso; quick 15-minute crossing.
22:30	22:45	Late-Night Service: No town bus connections available at this hour; walking or taxi to accommodation required.
◎ 00:35	00:50	*Overnight Service (Late-Night Extra Fare Applies): Strictly for late-night arrivals; no public transit running on the island.

Uno Port ➔ Honmura Port (Only Passenger Boat)

• Travel Time: Approx. 20 minutes
• Vehicle Boarding: ✅ Passengers ONLY | ❌ Bicycles NOT allowed | ❌ Cars NOT allowed
• Best for: Direct access to the Honmura District (Art House Project) without needing to transfer by bus from Miyanoura Port.

Departure (Uno Port)	Arrival (Honmura Port)	Travel Notes & Recommendations
07:25	07:45	Early Morning Arrival: Arrives directly in Honmura village before morning crowds.
11:55	12:15	Midday Direct Connection: Perfect for exploring the Art House Project or grabbing lunch in Honmura.
16:50	17:10	Late Afternoon Connection: Ideal for guests staying overnight at accommodations in the Honmura area.
17:45	18:05	Evening Arrival: Direct service to Honmura for dinner and evening stays.
18:35	18:55	Final Direct Service to Honmura: Last boat of the day operating on the Uno ➔ Honmura route.

Finding Naoshima Travel Tip:

Honmura Port drops you off right in the heart of the historic Art House Project district. Please note that bicycles, motorbikes, and cars are strictly prohibited on this route. If you have a vehicle or bicycle, you must use the Car Ferry to Miyanoura Port instead.

2. Return: Naoshima to Uno Port

Miyanoura Port ➔ Uno Port (Car Ferry)

• Travel Time: Approx. 20 minutes
• Vehicle Boarding: ✅ Passengers | ✅ Bicycles & Motorbikes | ✅ Cars
• Best for: Return trips to Uno Port for foot passengers, cyclists, and vehicle drivers.

Departure (Miyanoura Port)	Arrival (Uno Port)	Travel Notes & Recommendations
06:00	06:20	Early morning return departure; ideal for early train connections at Uno Station.
06:40	07:00	Early morning service for commuting or early transfers.
07:50	08:10	Morning return ferry; connects with morning JR trains from Uno Station.
08:52	09:12	Mid-morning return service.
09:52	10:12	Mid-morning return ferry.
11:10	11:30	Midday return connection.
12:45	13:05	Early afternoon return service.
14:55	15:15	Afternoon return ferry; ideal after exploring morning museum exhibits.
16:02	16:22	Popular Return Ferry: Connects with the 15:50 Town Bus arriving at Miyanoura Port from Tsutsujiso.
16:35	16:55	Popular Return Ferry: Connects with the 16:13 Town Bus arriving at Miyanoura Port.
17:35	17:55	Evening return connection; connects with the 17:00 Town Bus arriving at Miyanoura.
19:02	19:22	Late evening return ferry; connects with the 18:39 Town Bus.
20:25	20:45	Final Car Ferry of the Day to Uno: Last large vessel departure for cars, bikes, and foot passengers.

Finding Naoshima Travel Tip:

If you are returning a rental bicycle at Uno Port or driving a vehicle back to Okayama, make sure to catch one of these Car Ferry departures. Small passenger boats do not allow bicycles or vehicles onboard.

Miyanoura Port ➔ Uno Port (Passenger Speedboat)

• Travel Time: Approx. 15 minutes
• Vehicle Boarding: ✅ Passengers ONLY | ❌ Bicycles NOT allowed | ❌ Cars NOT allowed
• Best for: Foot passengers looking for quick return transfers, afternoon trips, or late-night returns to Uno.

Departure (Miyanoura Port)	Arrival (Uno Port)	Travel Notes & Recommendations
13:55	14:10	Foot Passengers Only: Connects smoothly with the 13:26 / 13:54 Town Bus arriving at Miyanoura Port; quick 15-minute crossing.
21:15	21:30	Late-Night Return Service: Connects with the final 20:05 Town Bus arriving at Miyanoura; ideal for late dinner stays on the island.
◎ 00:15	00:30	*Overnight Return Service (Late-Night Extra Fare Applies): Strictly for late-night departures back to Uno Port.

Finding Naoshima Travel Tip:

The ◎ mark indicates that a late-night extra charge applies to the 00:15 departure. Please note that bicycles, motorbikes, and cars are strictly prohibited on all fast passenger boats.

Honmura Port ➔ Uno Port (Only Passenger Boat)

• Travel Time: Approx. 20 minutes
• Vehicle Boarding: ✅ Passengers ONLY | ❌ Bicycles NOT allowed | ❌ Cars NOT allowed
• Best for: Direct return trips to Uno Port straight from the Honmura District (Art House Project) without needing to head back to Miyanoura Port.

Departure (Honmura Port)	Arrival (Uno Port)	Travel Notes & Recommendations
06:45	07:05	Early Morning Service: Early return departure from Honmura to Uno Port.
07:55	08:15	Morning Return Departure: Connects with morning JR train services at Uno Station.
13:00	13:20	Midday Direct Service: Ideal for leaving Honmura after morning gallery tours or lunch in the village.
17:20	17:40	Late Afternoon Return: Perfect for returning directly after finishing afternoon Art House Project tours.
18:10	18:30	Final Direct Service from Honmura: Last boat of the day operating on the Honmura ➔ Uno route.

Ticket Prices & Fare Table

Purchasing ferry tickets at Uno Port is fast and simple using automated ticket vending machines or ticket counter staff.

1. Passenger Fares Table

Ticket Category	Car Ferry (One-Way)	Car Ferry (Round-Trip)	Passenger Speedboat (One-Way)
Adult (12+ years)	¥370	¥640	¥370
Child (6–11 years)	¥190	¥380	¥370
Infant (0–5 years)	Free	Free	Free

Note: Round-trip tickets are valid for 7 days.

2. Vehicles & Bicycle Fares (Car Ferry Only)

Vehicles, scooters, and bicycles are permitted only on the Car Ferry routes to Miyanoura Port.

Transport Type	One-Way Fare	Notes
Bicycle	¥330	Must purchase standard adult passenger ticket separately
Motorbike / Scooter (<125cc)	¥680	Must purchase standard adult passenger ticket separately
Motorbike (125cc+)	¥1,030	Must purchase standard adult passenger ticket separately
Compact Car (<4m)	¥2,390	Includes basic fare for 1 driver
Standard Car (<5m)	¥3,070	Includes basic fare for 1 driver

Step-by-Step: How to Transfer at Uno Port

Transferring from the train to the ferry at Uno Port is one of the easiest connections in Japan.

1. Arrive at JR Uno Station: Exit the train station through the main gates.
2. Walk to the Terminal: Follow the clear bilingual English/Japanese signage across the street toward the water (approx. a 5-minute flat walk).
3. Purchase Your Ticket: Enter the passenger terminal, locate the automated ticket machines (with English language options), and buy your ticket using Japanese Yen cash or major credit cards.
4. Board the Vessel: Line up at the designated boarding dock 10 to 15 minutes prior to departure. Show your ticket to the crew as you step aboard.

Heading to Miyanoura Port from Takamatsu? Read Our Complete Route Guide

While direct passenger boats to Honmura Port offer quick access to the eastern art village, the vast majority of ferries and high-speed boats from Takamatsu Port arrive at Miyanoura Port—Naoshima’s primary gateway and central transport hub.

We have put together a complete, step-by-step guide covering the Takamatsu-to-Miyanoura route—including detailed ferry vs. high-speed boat timetables, ticket prices, boarding location maps at Takamatsu Port, and transfer tips upon arrival.

What to Pack: Naoshima Essentials

Packing for Naoshima is all about mobility and practicality. You will be transitioning from ferries to bicycles, local buses, and footpaths across museum grounds.

Clothing & Footwear

• Comfortable Walking Shoes: Non-negotiable. You will easily walk 10,000+ steps across uneven outdoor terrain, gravel paths, and polished museum galleries.
• Weather Layers: Sea breezes make ocean crossings cooler than mainland temperatures. Pack easy-to-remove layers.
• Rain Gear: A compact, foldable umbrella or packable rain shell.

Electronics & Practical Gear

• Portable Battery Pack: You will rely heavily on your phone for digital tickets, photo taking, and checking local bus schedules.
• Physical Cash (Japanese Yen): While major museums accept credit cards, small island cafes, bus fares (¥100 per ride), and local ticket kiosks require cash.
• Small Daypack: Leave heavy luggage at Takamatsu Station or your hotel. A lightweight backpack keeps your hands free while cycling or boarding the boat.

How to Get Around Naoshima Upon Arrival

Once your ferry docks at Miyanoura Port (宮浦港) on Naoshima, you have three primary ways to explore the island:

1. By Electric Bicycle (E-Bike)

• Why Choose It: Naoshima is deceptively hilly. An e-bike makes riding up the hills to Chichu Art Museum effortless.
• Where to Rent: Rental shops sit directly across the street from Miyanoura Ferry Terminal.
• Cost: Approximately ¥1,000 – ¥1,500 per day. Reserve upon arrival or book ahead during peak season.

2. By Town Bus & Benesse Art Site Free Shuttle Bus

• Route: Connects Miyanoura Port to the Honmura District (Art House Project) and Tsutsujiso (the shuttle transfer hub for Benesse House Museum and Lee Ufan Museum).
• Fare: Flat rate of ¥100 per adult (cash only).
• Tip: Buses align closely with arriving ferries, but space is limited. Step off the boat promptly if you plan to catch the bus!

Special Considerations for the Setouchi Triennale

The Setouchi Triennale is an incredible art festival held once every three years. If you’re visiting during the festival, these tips are even more critical.

• Book Everything in Advance: Museum tickets, accommodation, and even ferry tickets will sell out far in advance. Secure your spots online as soon as possible.
• Buy the Triennale Passport: This pass gives you access to a huge number of art installations across multiple islands. It’s a great value for anyone planning to visit more than one island.
• Be Flexible: Crowds can cause delays. Be prepared for longer waits for buses and ferries, and be patient. Don’t try to cram too much into one day.
• Use the Information Centers: The official Triennale information centers at Uno Port and Miyanoura Port are invaluable. They can provide real-time updates on art sites, transportation, and events.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use my JR Pass on the Uno to Naoshima ferry?

No. The ferries are operated by Shikoku Kisen, a private company. The JR Pass is not valid for ferry tickets. However, your JR Pass DOES cover the train ride on the JR Uno Line to JR Uno Station.

Do I need to book ferry tickets from Uno Port in advance?

No. Tickets for general foot passengers are sold at the port terminal on the day of travel, starting approximately 30 minutes before departure. Reservations are only required if you are bringing a vehicle (car).

What if I miss the last ferry back to Uno?

The last car ferry departs Naoshima (Miyanoura) at 20:25. If you miss it, you will either need to stay overnight on the island or hire an expensive private water taxi to take you back to the mainland. Always check the final departure time!

Experience Naoshima with Finding Naoshima

Navigating ferry docks and bus connections is just the first step of your island adventure. At Finding Naoshima, we help international travelers unlock the deepest cultural stories, architectural wonders, and hidden culinary gems across the Seto Inland Sea.

Whether you need private guided tours, customized itineraries, or recommendations for local seaside dining, explore our full suite of digital guides at Finding Naoshima to plan your trip!

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