Uno Port Area, Tamano City

Uno Port in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, serves as the primary gateway to Naoshima and other art islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The port developed as a major transportation hub connecting Honshu to Shikoku and the surrounding islands.

The port area features several permanent outdoor art installations.  Yayoi Kusama's red pumpkin sculpture, displayed on the ferry pier, mirrors her famous yellow pumpkin on Naoshima. The 8-meter tall sculpture creates a landmark visible from arriving ferries.

Artist Esther Stocker designed the interior of Uno Port's ferry terminal with geometric black and white patterns covering walls, floors, and ceilings. Additional artworks appear throughout the port district and nearby streets as part of urban revitalization efforts.

The port serves ferry routes to Naoshima (20 minutes), Teshima (40 minutes), Inujima (60 minutes via Naoshima), and Shodoshima during Setouchi Triennale periods. Ferries operate multiple times daily with increased frequency during peak seasons and festival periods.

The terminal building contains ticketing counters, waiting areas, coin lockers for luggage storage, and basic amenities. Bicycle rentals are not available at Uno Port; rent bicycles on the islands instead.

Uno Port is accessible from JR Uno Station via a 10-minute walk following signposted routes. JR Uno Station connects to Okayama Station by the JR Uno Line, requiring approximately 50 minutes by local train or 35 minutes by rapid service. Okayama Station is a major Shinkansen stop on the Tokaido-Sanyo line. From Okayama Station, trains to Uno depart every 30 to 60 minutes.

Ferry tickets are purchased at the terminal before boarding. Standard one-way ferry fare to Naoshima costs approximately ¥300, to Teshima approximately ¥1,240, and varies by destination and ferry company. Return tickets can be purchased in advance or on the islands. No admission fee applies to the port area or public artworks.