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Teshima Island where abundant nature and contemporary art are fused

Teshima is an island where rice and dairy farming once flourished. It is blessed with a variety of vegetables and fruits throughout the four seasons, and seaweed farming and fishing are also thriving. Along with Naoshima and Inujima Islands, it is also one of the most important islands as a center of contemporary art in Japan.

Don't Miss

  • Teshima Art Museum, a museum located in a terraced rice field
  • The fusion of abundant nature and contemporary art
  • Dining at the Shima Kitchen and enjoying dishes made with local ingredients

How to Get There

Ferries operate between Takamatsu, Kagawa, and Ieura Port on Teshima Island.

It's a 5-minute walk to Takamatsu Port from Takamatsu Station. Since ferries make three to four round trips a day, you have a chance to stop by at Naoshima Island.

To explore the island, renting a bicycle or car is recommended. Since the island is hilly, electric-assist bicycles are a good choice. Buses also operate but irregularly.

Fascinating artwork located in unexpected places

This small island is not the sort of place where you would expect to see a contemporary art installation. The Teshima Art Museum displays installations featuring the abundant groundwater that springs on the island.

Teshima Art Museum Photo copyright: Noboru Morikawa

Fun surprises can be found outside the museum

There are a variety of art installations on the island. Rent a bicycle from the port and explore for a couple of hours.

The Teshima Yokoo House is a collaboration between an artist, Tadanori Yokoo, and an architect, Yuko Nagayama. An old private house has been renovated to showcase their works created with the theme of life and death.

Teshima Yokoo House Photo copyright: Tadasu Yamamoto

Christian Boltanski's “Les Archives du Cœur” collects and displays the heart sounds of people from all over the world.

Christian Boltanski “Les Archives du Cœur” Photo copyright: Kuge Yasuhide

Island hopping

If you visit Teshima, take a trip to Naoshima Island. On Naoshima, you can admire the pumpkin object created by Yayoi Kusama and the artworks of Claude Monet.

Yayoi Kusama  Pumpkin 2022 ©YAYOI KUSAMA Photo copyright: Tadasu Yamamoto

Chichu Art Museum Photo copyright: FUJITSUKA Mitsumasa

Setouchi Triennale

Teshima Island is one of the venues for the Setouchi Triennale. The Setouchi Triennale is held every three years for about 100 days. Teshima offers a wide variety of artwork throughout the year, and attracts a greater number of visitors especially during the Setouchi Triennale .



* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.

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