Teshima
Teshima is an island in the Seto Inland Sea and is part of Kagawa, Japan.
Understand
Like Naoshima and Inujima, Teshima is famous for its contemporary art exhibits.
Teshima has an area of approximately 14.5 km² and a population of approximately 1,000 people.
There is a circular road that connects 3 fishing villages on the island. A mountain is in the middle of the island.
History
Teshima has been inhabited for 14,000 years.
The island was the subject of a scandal in which 600,000 tons of toxic waste were illegally dumped on the island. In 2000, after a 25-year legal battle, the waste was transported to Naoshima for processing.
Get in
By boat
Ferries operate to/from Uno Port in Tamano (40 minutes) and to/from Shodoshima (¥480-770). The ferry schedule is available online.
There are two ports On Teshima: Ieura and Karato. Both ports have lockers available for luggage storage (¥300-500).
Get around
A map and a guide are available online.
By bus
Shuttle buses circumnavigate the island and cost ¥200 for adults or ¥100 for children.
By bicycle
Bicycles can be rented at either port.
See
- Teshima Art Museum, 607 Karato, ☏ +81 879 68 3555. The museum, which resembles a water droplet landing on concrete, was created by Ryue Nishizawa. It has only has 1 exhibit: Matrix, by the artist Rei Naito. Silence and bare feet are required. ¥1,540, free for aged 15 and under.
- Les Archives du Coeur (Heart Archives). Make a recording of and listen to your heartbeat!
Do
Festivals and events
- The Setouchi Triennale aka Setouchi International Art Festival. The festival is held every 3 years. It consists of 3 sessions in each of the spring, summer, and fall. The most recent festival was in 2016. The festival takes place over several islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Works of contemporary art are installed throughout the islands.
Buy
Eat
- Teshima-ya, ☏ +81 879-68-3345. 11:00-17:00.
Drink
Sleep
- Amore Teshima Resort (In the southwestern part of the island), ☏ +81 879-68-3331.
Connect
Free WiFi is available at the port, limited to 8 sessions of 30 minutes each per day (total of 240 minutes/day).