Essentials
- City
- Naoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Population
- Approximately 3,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 65 Mbps; Benesse House and major guesthouses offer stable fiber-optic Wi-Fi.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY. ATMs are available at the 7-Eleven near Miyanoura Port or the Post Office.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and of high quality.
- Power
- 100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (flat two-pin).
- SIM Card
- NTT Docomo or SoftBank; Ubigi or Airalo eSIMs are recommended as there are no dedicated SIM shops on-island.
- Banking for Expats
- Japan Post Bank (Yucho) for residents; Sony Bank or Revolut for nomads.
- Accommodation
- Art-focused stays like Benesse House (¥50,000+) or traditional Minshuku (¥6,000 - ¥10,000).
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Larger museums accept cards; small cafes and buses are strictly cash (JPY).
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options are limited; booking via local sites like 'Naoshima Ryokan Rokon' is common.
- Budget Accommodation
- Quaint & Cozy Naoshima or Little Plum (¥4,500/night for dorms).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Miyanoura Port for convenience/ferries or Honmura for the Art House Project.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Honmura district; quieter, more local feel with walking access to cafes.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Naoshima Colab (Miyanoura) - ¥2,000/day. Offers high-speed internet and quiet desks.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mikazuki Shoten (Miyanoura) - Excellent coffee and laptop-friendly seating for short bursts.
- Networking Events
- Limited; Setouchi Triennale volunteer meetups (Koebi-tai) are the best way to meet people.
- Social Events for Expats
- Informal gatherings at 'Little Plum' bar/diner in the evenings.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- None (Uber/Grab do not operate). Use local Naoshima Taxi (087-892-2051).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tsuru-chan (Miyanoura) - Electric bikes for ¥1,500/day; essential for the island's hills.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Gotanji Beach - Located near the Yellow Pumpkin; perfect for a sunset stroll.
- Top Regional Airline
- ANA or JAL flying into Takamatsu Airport (TAK).
- Top International Airline
- Cathay Pacific or Asiana (via Takamatsu) or major carriers via Osaka Kansai (KIX).
- Highway Access
- Seto-Chuo Expressway (via ferry to Uno/Takamatsu).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Miyanoura Port (Ferry terminal connecting to JR Uno Station).
- Public Transport Passes
- Island Bus: ¥100 flat fare per ride (cash only).
- Regional Travel
- Shikoku Kisen Ferry – ¥520 to Uno (20 mins) or ¥520 to Takamatsu (50 mins).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Naoshima Clinic (Primary Care). For emergencies, ferries transfer patients to Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Occasional sessions at Kuraya (Honmura). Most wellness is self-guided at the Benesse Spa.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- No public gyms; Naoshima Bokka (Park area) is popular for outdoor running.
- Laundry Services
- Coin Laundry 'Little Plum' (Miyanoura) – ¥400 per load.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Not available on the island.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Ten-don (Tempura Bowl) with local Seto Inland Sea seafood at Yamamoto Udon.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Aisunao (Honmura) - Famous for 'brown rice' vegetarian sets (¥1,500).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Naoshima Gelato (Miyanoura) - Try the Setouchi Lemon flavor (¥500).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- 7-Eleven Naoshima (The only 24/7 shop for basic needs).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.co.jp (Deliveries take 2-3 days to the island).
- Grocery Delivery
- N/A; locals use the 'Co-op' delivery service (membership required).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Miyanoura area; limited to a few bars like 'Cin.na.mon' (open until 10 PM).
- Local Brewery
- Naoshima Brewing - Craft beers sold locally (¥800/bottle).
- Wine Bars
- Terrace Restaurant at Benesse House offers a curated selection of fine wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Maemachi Cafe (Miyanoura) – Takeaway burgers and finger foods.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Trattoria Nonna (Italian) – Authentic pasta near the Honmura area.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Yayoi Kusama’s Yellow Pumpkin and Red Pumpkin.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Chichu Art Museum (¥2,100, booking essential) and Lee Ufan Museum.
- Historical Sites
- Gokuraku-ji Temple (Honmura).
- Religious Sites
- Go'o Shrine (Part of the Art House Project, designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto).
- Annual Events
- Naoshima Autumn Festival (October); Setouchi Triennale (Every 3 years).
- Cultural Districts
- Honmura Art House Project area.
- Theater Venues
- Naoshima Hall - A stunning multi-purpose space designed by Hiroshi Sambuichi.
- Local Markets
- Occasional 'Marche' events at the Miyanoura Gallery 6.
- Music Scene
- Occasional ambient or acoustic sets at the Benesse House lounge.
- Street Art
- Naoshima Bath 'I♥︎U' - A functional art installation/sentō bathhouse.
- Cooking Classes
- Local fish preparation workshops occasionally held at the Community Center.
- Art Galleries
- Miyanoura Gallery 6.
- Historic Buildings
- Ando Museum (A 100-year-old traditional house with a concrete interior).
- Local Heritage
- The 'Naoshima Onna Bunraku' (Female Puppet Theater) heritage.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tsumu-u-ji Mountain - Offers a short hike with panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea.
- National Parks Nearby
- Setonaikai National Park (The island is located within it).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal road from Miyanoura to the Benesse Area.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Kikyoka-oka Hill for views of the Great Seto Bridge.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The forested areas around the Museum of Art/Benesse stay.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited; strictly regulated to protect art installations.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) and Japan Post (Miyanoura).
- Tech Repair Services
- None on-island; must travel to Okayama City (PC Depot or Apple Repair).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Available at the Naoshima Gymnasium for residents.
- Language Classes
- Online Japanese tutors recommended; no physical schools on-island.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Naoshima Library (inside the Town Hall area) - Quiet and free.
- Community Centers
- Naoshima Public Hall.
- Gaming Lounges
- None.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Strictly prohibited by Japanese law (except Pachinko, found in Uno).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥250,000 per m² (Limited availability; e.g., 30 m² = ¥7.5M). Note: Island property is rarely for sale to non-locals.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥180,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥5.4M).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥220,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥11M).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥160,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥8M).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥200,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = ¥15M).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥140,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = ¥10.5M).
- Corporate Tax
- Approx. 30.6% (Standard Japanese rate including local taxes).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20.42% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for permanent residents; only Japan-sourced for non-permanent residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (on income over ¥40 million).
- VAT
- 10% (Consumption Tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Japan has extremely strict CFC rules for tax avoidance.
- Property Tax
- 1.4% of the assessed value of the property annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Real Estate Acquisition Tax (approx. 3-4%) plus registration tax.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Japan's 6-month Digital Nomad Visa (specific conditions apply) offers temporary residence but usually no specific tax breaks.