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⭐ DAY 9 — Thursday, June 5
NAGANO → OSAKA → OKAYAMA → NAOSHIMA
Seamless rail + ferry travel ending in a peaceful art island afternoon
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This day transitions you from mountain temples to the Seto Inland Sea — one of the most beautiful coastal regions in Japan.
It is a calm, easy, well-paced travel day.
🌅 7:00 – 8:00 AM — Breakfast + Check-Out (Nagano)
A gentle morning after your Togakushi day.
Good options near Nagano Station:
Komeda’s Coffee (classic Japanese breakfast sets)
Morihachi Café (light, modern)
Hotel Metropolitan buffet (excellent)
8:00 AM
Walk or taxi to Nagano Station.
You no longer have the rental car — perfect.
🚅 8:30 – 11:40 AM — Nagano → Shin-Osaka → Okayama
A smooth, comfortable Shinkansen journey.
Nagano → Shin-Osaka
Take the Asama or Hakutaka Shinkansen to Nagoya or Tokyo
Transfer to the Shinkansen going to Shin-Osaka
Total time: ~2 hrs 45 min
Shin-Osaka → Okayama
Sanyo Shinkansen (Sakura or Hikari)
Travel time: ~50 minutes
You will arrive in Okayama around 11:40 AM feeling relaxed.
🍱 11:45 AM – 12:20 PM — Quick Lunch at Okayama Station
Okayama Station is excellent for quick, delicious food.
Recommended:
Ekiben Bento Shop (convenient + high quality)
Miyoshino Udon (fast, warm, comforting)
Sushi Zanmai (reliable and fresh)
Simple, satisfying, not heavy.
🚆 12:20 – 1:10 PM — Train: Okayama → UNO Port
Take the JR Uno Line.
Travel time: ~45 minutes
Arrive at a small, quiet coastal station designed for ferry travel.
🛳️ 1:30 – 1:50 PM — Ferry: UNO → NAOSHIMA
Beautiful, gentle 15–20 minute ferry ride.
Views of:
Small islands
The Seto Inland Sea
Fishing boats
Soft, pastel-colored coastal hills
A transition into a different world.
🏨 2:00 – 3:00 PM — Check-In on Naoshima
Top recommendations:
Benesse House (Museum / Park / Beach)
Architect: Tadao Ando
Stay inside a museum (Museum rooms)
Ocean views
Direct access to outdoor sculptures
Hotel Wright Style (ART BASE)
Miyanoura Port
Design-focused
Quiet, clean, modern
Seven Beach House
Cozy, oceanside, friendly
Unpack, breathe, slow down.
🌊 3:30 – 6:00 PM — Outdoor Art & Coastal Walk (Naoshima)
Your introduction to the art island:
Yayoi Kusama’s Red Pumpkin
Colorful, iconic, joyful — at Miyanoura Port.
Seaside Sculpture Park at Benesse House
Works by:
Dan Graham
Niki de Saint Phalle
Shinro Ohtake
Other contemporary artists
Paths are gentle and scenic.
Beach Walk
Quiet, meditative, stunning light.
Take your time — this is a wind-down afternoon after travel.
🍽️ 6:00 – 7:30 PM — Dinner on Naoshima
Recommended:
Benesse House Restaurant (refined, serene)
Café Konichiwa (homey + local)
Ishii Shokudo (simple Japanese dishes)
Everything is slow-paced. No rushing.
🌙 7:30 – 9:00 PM — Sunset & Reflection
Sit by the water or near the Benesse House decks.
The light over the inland sea is soft and unforgettable.
A perfectly calm end to a travel day.
⭐ DAY 9 SUMMARY:
Effortless rail + ferry day
Arrive early enough to explore
Beautiful island atmosphere
Great for late-50s pacing
Sets up Day 10 perfectly