Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book the Chichu Art Museum in advance?
Yes. Every visit needs a reservation for a date and a 15-minute entry time. When a day sells out online, the museum sells no tickets at the door, so book before you take the ferry.
When do tickets for my month go on sale?
At 10:00 Japan time on the second Friday of the month two months before. January 2027 goes on sale on Friday 13 November 2026; April 2027 on Friday 12 February 2027. If your date is not on sale yet, hold it with us and we book it when it opens.
What happens if my date is sold out?
Hold the date with us at no charge. Places from cancellations reappear on the museum's system, and we check your date for you. When we can book, we email a payment link; you are never charged for a visit we cannot book.
Do children need a ticket?
Children 15 and under enter free by day, but each child still needs a reservation. Tell us their ages at checkout and we add them to your booking at no charge.
How long should I allow inside?
Plan on at least an hour with the three artists, and more if you want the café. Allow time before your slot to reach the Ticket Center by bus or shuttle.
Can I take photos inside?
No. Photography is allowed only up to the reception area. Past that point there are no photos, no video and no sketching, and phones stay in your pocket. It is one reason the rooms feel so quiet.
What is the Night Program?
A 45-minute seated viewing of James Turrell's Open Sky as the sun goes down, on Fridays and Saturdays, for 30 people at most. The ticket includes museum entry that day, so you can see the other rooms before closing.
What time does the Night Program start?
It follows sunset, so it moves through the year. In 2026 the group gathered at the Ticket Center from about 19:00 in June to about 16:35 in late November and December. We send the time for your evening with your e-ticket.
Can children come to the Night Program?
Ages 6 to 15 can join with an adult on the same session; their museum entry is free and they need the Ages 6–15 Night Program fare. Children aged 5 and under cannot take part.
Does the Night Program go ahead in rain?
Yes, it runs rain or shine. The ceiling is open to the sky, so you feel the weather; raincoats are the only rain gear allowed during the viewing. Dress for the evening air.
Which days is the museum closed?
Mondays, except when a Monday is a national holiday; then it opens and closes on the Tuesday. It is also closed for maintenance from 12 January to 19 March 2027, and can close for typhoons.
How do I get to the museum from the ferry?
Ferries land at Miyanoura port. The Naoshima town bus runs from the port to Tsutsuji-so, and a free shuttle continues from there to the museum. Bicycles can be rented in Miyanoura and Honmura.
Which ferry should I take, from Uno or Takamatsu?
Uno, in Okayama, is about 20 minutes from Miyanoura and suits travellers coming by train from Okayama. Takamatsu, in Kagawa, is about an hour by ferry. Check the current timetable and leave a margin before your slot.
Can I change my date or time after booking?
No. The museum does not change the date or time of a reserved ticket, so please check your ferry and plans before you book. If the museum closes on your date, you get your money back in full.
How many people can I book for one entry time?
Up to eight people per 15-minute slot. A group of nine or more is split into groups of eight or fewer at different times, and we arrange that for you.
Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
Partly. Some areas are not wheelchair accessible. The museum lends two wheelchairs and has three multi-purpose toilets. Email us before booking and we will check the details for your visit.
Who are you, and how does the booking work?
We are an independent booking service, not the museum. You choose a date and time, pay in your own currency, and we reserve your visit on the museum's official system and send you the e-ticket by email.