Has anyone stayed in Tamano while visiting Naoshima? There are number of hotels marketing that they're very close to the ferry so I'm wondering if that is a good option while visiting Naoshima rather than making Okayama a base? I'm curious to hear first-hand experiences and/or if someone can share insights steering me in the right direction why this may or may not be a good idea.
Thanks

I have not been to Naoshima but looked into the logistics.

Okayama Station to Uno Station is as quick as 45 minutes on Uno Line or up to 55 min or an hour on other trains. But the trip to Naoshima can take about 2 hours because of the wait time between train arrival at Uno and the boat departure from Uno Port. The boat takes about 20 minutes.

Staying in Uno, Tamano would save time in the morning and it would be much easier to make the first boat of the day if you wanted (or any boat as it could/would be a short walk/taxi from lodging to port). I gotta believe your food, lodging, entertainment options will be much better in Okayama than Tamano that night.

Naoshima has two ports, Miyanoura and Honmura. Tokyo to Naoshima: How to get to and around Naoshima - Access, Transport and Orientation (japan-guide.com)

Here are search results for Okayama Station to Miyanoura Port.
This is the transit route of the search result from Okayama to Naoshima Island [Miyanoura Port] - Japan Transit Planner | Norikae Annai (jorudan.co.jp)

The first result shows the quick Uno Line train but it has a 52 minute wait for the boat.

The second result is slightly quicker but much more expensive (without a JR Pass). The really interesting part is that it uses a boat from Takamatsu. That means it goes over the Seto Ohashi bridge system which I thought was quite scenic, beautiful views while I also admired the engineering marvel of the bridges. Jaw-dropping for me.

One thing about the map at the japan-gude link above: it shows the "town bus" going from Miyanoura Port to Honmura Port.and onward. That would probably mean that the bus is empty at the origin (Miyanoura) but maybe not at Honmura Port. FAIK, though there may be buses that originate at Honmura Port. And there are other ways to get around from Miyanoura Port instead of that bus.

Thank you mrwunrfl

I initially planned to make Okayama a base but changed my opinion. To make it clear, I am interested in just about anything that Japan has to offer but coming for just 2 weeks requires some rigorous cutting down. I am also battling some health issues and am not in the best form so we'll have to take it easier than usual.
So, while I do think that Okayama has sites I'd like to see, I will have to compromise. I'll be coming from Kyoto so I thought if I leave Kyoto in the afternoon (to maximize on days in Kyoto) and go straight to the hotel that's next to the port that will give me an opportunity for a good rest and an early start to Naoshima. Then I can return in the evening and again have a good rest with an early start onwards to Hiroshima. Or potentially stay even 2 nights there as it does seem a bit quieter than the rest of the usual tourist hotspots.

ak_rc,
Did you visit Naoshima? If so, what did you think of the experience it? And, where did you stay?

Hi Progol,
Indeed, we did visit Naoshima and it was one of the highlights of our 2-week trip. I would say that one has to love contemporary art and architecture in order to be interested in Naoshima. I've been a huge fan of Tadao Ando (I'd say from long before it became cool) so for me seeing Ando Museum was a special treat. Bernese House and Chichu Museum were fantastic. The entire island is actually in communication with its surrounding - the way to juxtapose art and environmental destruction that surrounding industry perpetuated. We were lucky that the weather was perfect and the way how these museums incorporate their surroundings, weather can make or break the trip to Naoshima.
We stayed 2 nights in Hotel Uno in Tamano, which is perfectly situated across the street from the port. We arrived to Tamano in the evening so that we could catch the first boat to Naoshima and then returned with the last boat and stayed a night. That worked out perfectly. I wish we had more time for another day in Naoshima, 2 days would be perfect for us, and also, I would have liked to visit other islands in Seto. I would also book to stay in Bernese House, I just didn't plan it early enough and it was fully booked.
Hopefully we will return.

Thanks so much ak_rc! Your description is wonderfully evocative and I may need to revise my plan as this is something I think we’d both enjoy.

Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed resoonse.

You had a great time exploring the art installations and architecture. I'm glad the weather held up for you too. Staying right by the port in Tamano is a smart move - it would be stressful trying to make the boats with a long commute each day. Two nights does seem perfect to see the main spots without feeling rushed.

You're more than welcome!
Are you planning another trip to Japan? How wonderful if you are.

Some people make Okayama a base when visiting Naoshima and I was initially considering that as well. Once we went there I quickly realized that such plan wouldn't work very well for us at all. It would simply be too rushed and too hard on me physically. We are in our 50s but I have some health issues that make me feel fatigued faster than I'd like. Naoshima is not to be rushed, that's the wrong way of approaching it. And 1 day is definitely not enough.
If you decide to go, I can give you more tips later on.

Just saw your response. It's aligned with what I had just responded to progol.

ak_rc, yes, we are planning to go back to Japan! We’re combining it with a trip to Taiwan, so I’m trying to contain myself, though I’m not sure it’s working out too well! Too many places I want to see and I can tell you the more I look, the more I wish I already had more time. If we do include Naoshima (and I’m leaning toward doing that), it’ll only be for 2 days but I’d like to stay on the island. I’m afraid the Benesse House is a bit above my pay grade, but another place was recommended that I’d look into (name escapes me now).

I haven't been on the forum for a while so I haven't read anything. You have probably written about it, I'll go look. Sounds very exciting. I can relate to that angst related to the lack of time. Once you're there, it all goes away. I am back on forum because I'm pondering if we should make another trip to Japan this year. Flight prices are through the roof from Toronto.

We're going to Taiwan and Japan and the flight prices are definitely through the roof. I'd say our tickets went through the roof of a very tall high rise building!