A visit to the Teshima Art Museum in the Seto Inland Sea is a family favorite. The art space with beautiful concrete exterior walls, the design of houses built on the ruins of the island, the fresh local fish, and the enjoyment of a leisurely stroll around the island. Here are some of the best parts of Teshima that my family and I discovered on this trip. The quiet excitement of the museum, the unique experience of the family program, the comfortable relaxation in the cozy hostel and the simple island cuisine. Why not deepen a special bond with your family or loved ones on a quiet island in the Seto Inland Sea?
Morning: Immerse yourself in the artistic space of the Teshima Art Museum.
Arriving at Ieppo port, a 30-minute ferry ride from Takamatsu port, your first stop in the morning is the Teshima Museum of Art. A 20-minute ride up the hill by bicycle rented from the port will bring you to the concrete building, a collaboration between architect Ryuue Nishizawa and artist Rei Naito. The exterior is as elegant as a drop of water, while the interior is a spatial dance of light and wind. When I visited this building on an autumn morning, my children’s eyes lit up at the soft light of the rain and the sound of water droplets hitting the ground: “It’s magical! Their eyes lit up too. The quiet moments spent exploring the space with my husband kept my mind busy. The artworks here are ‘rooms in themselves’, perfect for family conversations. The museum requires advance reservations, but you can easily enter by purchasing Benesse tickets in advance. Teshima Museum of Art is a place where you can share the serenity of art with your family.
Admission is ¥1,030 for adults and ¥510 for elementary and middle school students (from 2025). The museum is open from 10:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30) from March to September, and from 10:00-16:00 (last entry at 15:30) from October to February. Closed on Tuesdays (March to November) and Tuesdays to Thursdays (December to February). Please see the official website (Teshima Museum of Art ) for information regarding reservations and opening times. We recommend that you visit the museum on a rainy day to enjoy the beautiful light changes.
Lunch: Local seafood lunch at Irish Kitchen.
After exploring the museum, have lunch at Island Kitchen. A 10-minute bike ride from the museum, this café is an artistic venue located in an abandoned building that serves light dishes made from local ingredients. Sitting on the outdoor terrace, enjoying the sea breeze from the Seto Inland Sea and the beautiful view of the island, I ordered a seafood platter (¥1,800). The fresh squid, prawns and island vegetable salad were brightly colored and the ‘sweet taste of the sea’ made my children’s mouths water. After sipping a glass of locally produced sake, my husband remarked that “this kind of freshness is the hallmark of Setouchi” and I also praised the flavor of the plum sauce. For dessert, we shared island rice dumplings and relaxed on the family bench. The dishes prepared with ingredients from Teshima made our trip feel more alive. This island cuisine is a place where you can enjoy the fusion of art and food.
Opening hours are from 10am to 4pm (except 3pm). Reservations are recommended at peak times. For more information, please visit the official website (Island Kitchen). While Teshima’s other specialties – island vegetable tempura and local sake – are also interesting, the seafood dishes are perfect for a family meal.
Afternoon: Relax at Teshima Terrace Lodge
After lunch, check-in at Teshima Terrace Lodge in the evening. This modern lodge run by Benesse is located near Ieura harbor and has spacious rooms for families. The rooms have large beds and balconies overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, and the kids will love watching the sun set over the island through the windows – the beautiful sea view at sunset was a highlight of our trip. In the evening, we enjoy kaiseki dishes at the ryokan restaurant, prepared with local ingredients. The fresh seafood sashimi and island vegetable stew were a delight for the kids, as was the plum-flavored dessert. Breakfast is also impressive, with freshly baked bread and local fruit juices, and the staff are very friendly and happy to provide children with a map of the island. The quiet evenings on the island are very relaxing and the hotel is close to the harbor, making it easy to catch the ferry the next day.
Accommodation costs around ¥20,000 per night, including breakfast. You can also choose a room with a balcony. For more information, visit the official website (Teshima Terrace Inn ). Other inns in Teshima are also attractive, but this one stands out for its luxurious atmosphere.
Morning: Discovering abandoned art at House Project
After breakfast, rent a bicycle and head to the House Project, about a 15-minute drive from the museum, to discover abandoned artworks created by artists who have renovated old houses on the island. My family loved strolling around Kiyoharu Matsumoto’s literary monument and admiring the artwork installed in the ruins (free, 1 hour). The modern artwork combined with the ruins of the house had the kids shouting “Mystery House”. I was excited to touch the antique furniture and hear about the history of the island with my family, and my husband and I had fun taking photos and sharing stories. The Hands Island ‘living and dead’ house project was a unique experience that stimulated our family’s imagination.
The visit is free, but guided tours are also available at an additional cost. For more information, visit the official website (House Project). We recommend visiting the island on a cool morning.
Tips for a pleasant and trouble-free trip
To make the most of your trip to Teshima, you should keep the following points in mind. First of all, rent a bicycle (¥1,500 per day) at Ieura port. We recommend an electric bike, as the museum and Ieura project are in a hilly area. If you are traveling with children, you can also rent a pushchair at the port. The museum is also open in the morning, so you can watch the sunrise. For lunch at the island’s kitchen, book a table on the terrace and enjoy the sea breeze. For safety reasons, guests at Hand Island Terrace Hut must consult the island map before checking in. The terrace hut is designed to be weatherproof, so you can enjoy most of the artwork inside, even in the rain. Check the official website for seasonal events (Setouchi International Art Festival, 2025: April to November) to make the most of your trip. Cash is essential on the island, so pack some coins. Don’t forget drinks for the kids and insect repellent.
The serenity of the small islands in the Seto Inland Sea will make any family traveler smile. It’s like a treasure hunt, and that’s the best compliment kids can give a historical site.
A glimpse of personal wisdom
A visit to the Teshima art museum provided me with the kind of spiritual and emotional enrichment that Private Wisdom values. The museum’s bright and airy rooms cleanse the soul, while the abandoned artifacts from a family home project are a delightful experience of history and creation. The island’s fresh seafood dishes bring out the warmth of the Seto Inland Sea, while the serenity of Teshima Terrace Villas soothes travel fatigue. This trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Discover the peaceful charm of Teshima and enjoy a pleasant trip with your family or loved ones. Tell us your favorite Teshima experience in the comments.
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