The Setouchi Triennale is a celebrated contemporary art festival held once every three years across around a dozen islands and ports of the Seto Inland Sea, with Kagawa’s Takamatsu as a main gateway. Spread over three seasonal sessions (spring, summer, autumn), it fills the islands — Naoshima, Teshima, Shodoshima, Ogijima, Megijima and more — with hundreds of artworks, installations and events, many set in old houses, terraced fields, harbours and disused buildings, deeply connected to island life and landscape. Visitors island-hop by ferry, exploring art on foot, by bike and by bus, combining world-class works with beautiful sea scenery and the slow rhythm of island communities. Even outside the festival years, many permanent works remain. It is a magical way to experience the inland sea.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Seto Inland Sea islands, Kagawa |
| Hours | Triennale years, 3 seasonal sessions |
| Admission | Passport tickets + per-site fees |
| Time needed | Days (island-hopping) |
| Best time | Triennale years; spring and autumn |
What to Experience
- Hundreds of artworks across a dozen islands.
- Ferry island-hopping between Naoshima, Teshima, Shodoshima and more.
- Art set in old houses, fields, harbours and ruins.
- Permanent works remaining between festival years.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Naoshima and Teshima .
- Pair with Shodoshima island.
- Read our Kagawa overview .
Getting There
- From Takamatsu: ferries fan out to the art islands.
- Between islands: inter-island ferries during the festival.
Tips
Check whether it is a Triennale year and which seasonal session is running, buying a passport ticket for multiple sites if you plan serious island-hopping. Plan ferry timetables carefully as connections are limited, book accommodation early as it fills up, and even outside festival years visit Naoshima and Teshima for their permanent art.
