Naoshima Art Tour with a former Benesse House staff member

Do you know the real Naoshima? Many people come to see the yellow pumpkins and the Museum of Art in the Ground, but that's just a small part of Naoshima's charm. This tour will take you to three special spots that are not mentioned in typical guidebooks. We plan to offer bus tours during the summer season from June to September. This is a private experience led by a former Benesse House Museum staff member, who has received the highest 5-star rating for 10 consecutive groups.

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Listing highlights

What you’ll do

This experience is hosted in Japanese and English.

5.0 out of 5 stars, from 10 reviews

, 3 weeks ago

We had a wonderful time with Nobu during our visit to Naoshima. We were traveling with our 15-year-old son, and Nobu made a special effort to keep him engaged and involved throughout the tour. He arranged three bicycles for us, which made it easy and enjoyable to explore the island at our own pace. Nobu was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared plenty of interesting information about Naoshima and its attractions. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a memorable and well-organized tour of the island..

Pallavi

India

, May 2026

Nobu is kind of a guide you will remember for life. He's truly in love with Naoshima and created a very special tour, highlighting hidden art gems. Nobu's enthusiasm and his personal stories make you connect to the island on another level, bringing not only the art closer, but also the people & nature of Naoshima. Nobu was very easy to make arrangements with as he catered to our preferred date & time. He was also super kind to give some travel suggestions on how to arrive to Naoshima, which made it more enjoyable for us and more special. Wishing Nobu all the best with his tours and hope to join one of them again! NB: don't forget to ask Nobu for his social media, so Naoshima can stay with you for much longer :)

Irina

London, United Kingdom

, May 2026

I had a wonderful time with Nobu on Naoshima. It is a very special place but as a non-Japanese speaker travelling alone, I had a lot of questions but no one to ask. With Nobu we went to some unique places and I got to ask so many questions. He is a really kind, polite and thoughtful guide and although he says his English is not good it is more than good enough! The tour doesnt include any of the main museums (though he knows a lot about them if you have questions) but just enjoying the island with someone who is familiar with the history of the art there. He takes you to spots that you may not have otherwise known about and explains their significance (none of our stops were things I'd read online or in the guides). He also very much indulged my need to stop and take photos of the cute cats of the island! I would 1000% recommend this experience if you want to spent a few hours learning more about Naoshima itself.

Elisabeth

Sydney, Australia

, April 2026

Nobu offers a truly unique and enriching experience on Naoshima. His insights go outside of what another guide could provide, shaped by the impressive passion and research he has devoted to understanding the intent, history, and deeper meaning behind some of the island’s artworks that aren’t immediately visible or commonly highlighted. Nobu came thoroughly prepared with books, a presentation, binoculars, and even a bike for guests to use for free (not electric and you can choose to go by bus, but the exercise was good with a nice view). He also continued to answer questions after the tour and even offered advice on visiting nearby Teshima. While there was a slight language barrier, using a translation app made communication smooth and allowed for meaningful, in-depth discussions. He also has personal relationships with some of the artists featured on the island, adding another layer of authenticity to the tour. You will certainly leave having learned something new!

Alana

Paris, France

Upcoming availability

Where we’ll meet

実際の集合場所は「ミヤノウラ港」です。地図に表示されている場所は参考地点です。私は出発前に、ミヤノウラ港での待ち合わせ方法を分かりやすくお知らせします。日本の夏は大変暑いため、夏季期間中は移動にバスを使用します。（自転車での移動は、涼しくなった季節に再開します。）また、夏の直島を快適に歩いていただけるよう、私の方で日傘をご用意する予定です。直射日光を避けながら、一緒に島のアートを巡りましょう。出発前に移動の手順を説明しますので、安心してご参加ください。

761-3110, Kagawa, Naoshima, Kagawa District, Japan

About me

I previously worked as a museum attendant at the Naoshima Art Museum, where I had the opportunity to explain the artworks and their background to visitors in an accessible manner. Through this experience, I developed a strong interest in explaining art, architecture, and local culture. After living in Malaysia and Thailand for several years, I returned to Japan with a renewed appreciation for the scenery and culture of the Setouchi region, and a desire to share its charms with the world. Currently, I am carefully introducing the "stories not in the guidebook" that remain in Naoshima and Takamatsu, based on the knowledge and materials I have learned in my work. I can also handle basic communication in English, so customers from overseas can participate with confidence. I will share the stories of the Seto Inland Sea region in an accessible way. Check out my Instagram @naoshima_vibes_nobu for more guest memories and glimpses of daily island life!

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