Naoshima Island (Seto Inland Sea): where to eat, stay, and what to see

Luke's Table

Location: Miyanoura Port (ferry terminal)

Address: Japan, 〒761-3110 Kagawa, Kagawa District, Naoshima, ３７１８−５６ マイロッジ直島

Luke's Table is a French-Japanese fusion restaurant inside My Lodge Naoshima, serving locally sourced Seto Inland Sea cuisine with ocean views.

Good points:

- Located inside My Lodge Naoshima, near Miyanoura port, with Seto Inland Sea views.

- Menu follows a 'Setouchi slow food' concept using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

- Fresh seafood from the surrounding inland sea features prominently on the menu.

- Serves both breakfast and dinner; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

- Dinner requires advance reservation and runs from 18:00 to around 20:30.

For visitors: Book your dinner reservation well in advance, as the restaurant fills up and even hotel guests may be turned away without one.

My Lodge Naoshima

Location: Uno Station

Address: 3718-56, Naoshima, Kagawa District, Kagawa 761-3110, Japan

A hillside boutique lodge on Naoshima Island with sweeping Seto Inland Sea views from all rooms.

Good points:

- All 16 rooms offer ocean views from a scenic hillside location.

- Designed using a MUJI house concept, furnished throughout with MUJI oak furniture.

- On-site restaurant Luke's Table serves French-Japanese fusion using local Setouchi ingredients.

- Located approximately 8–10 minutes on foot from Miyanoura Port ferry terminal.

- Bicycle rental and luggage delivery services available to ease island sightseeing.

For visitors: Arrive via ferry to Miyanoura Port and use the lodge's luggage delivery or bicycle rental service to explore Naoshima's famous art sites comfortably.

Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin

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

Yayoi Kusama's iconic yellow pumpkin sculpture sits on a pier on Naoshima, Japan's celebrated 'art island' in the Seto Inland Sea.

Good points:

- A bold yellow, black-dotted pumpkin sculpture by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.

- Originally installed in 1994, it has been a beloved symbol of Naoshima ever since.

- The current sculpture is a rebuilt replacement, with its shell made 10% thicker for durability.

- It sits on a pier contrasting dramatically against the blue sea, perfect for photos.

- Naoshima is known as an 'art island' and is home to three modern and contemporary art museums.

For visitors: Reach Naoshima via a short ferry ride, accessible from Okayama, which is about 50 minutes from Osaka by bullet train.