This article is a research guide based on information published by the Naoshima Town Tourism Association as of 2026-08-16.This is not an actual accommodation coverage article. Please check the availability of cats and dogs, meals, and experience reception before making a reservation.
About the photo: it does not show this inn or its resident cats
This illustration does not document the rooms or cats currently in residence.
Illustrative image (not a photograph of Minshuku Oyaji no Umi’s cat or inside the inn) / Photo: Fatih Berat ORER (Pexels)
Minshuku Oyaji no Umi, located in the Honmura district of Naoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, is a five-room guesthouse housed in an 80-year-old Japanese house. The Naoshima Town Tourism Association is introducing features such as interacting with the signboard dog and resident cat, as well as crafting experiences that can be done at the inn.
- An old house where a resident cat and resident dog live
- A small inn with 5 Japanese-style rooms built about 80 years ago.
- Meals collaborated with “Nyao Island”
- Manufacturing and walking around Honmura
- About 2 minutes walk from “Nokyo-mae” bus stop
- Basic information
- Location and Google Maps
- Summary
- Related articles
- Share photos of this inn
An old house where a resident cat and resident dog live
The official tourism information for the area specifies “interacting with signboard dogs and resident cats,” so the distance to cats is classified as B.This is not just a cat-only facility, but also dogs, so if you don’t like dogs or have allergies, please check the range of activities in advance.
We cannot confirm the current guidance regarding cats entering the guest room. Even if a cat or dog approaches you in a common area, it is safe to avoid touching them while they are eating, sleeping, or trying to escape, and to ask the host for instructions on how to interact with them.
A small inn with 5 Japanese-style rooms built about 80 years ago.
According to the Naoshima Town Tourism Association, there are 5 Japanese-style guest rooms. There are two family baths, and the check-in time is 5pm and the check-out time is 10am. A historic wooden house is different from a newly built hotel in terms of soundproofing, steps, and air conditioning.
If you are looking for a separate guest room with a bath and toilet while enjoying the atmosphere of living in an old island house, please check the facilities at the time of reservation. At night, please be considerate of other guests and the resident cat, and speak quietly in the hallways and open and close doors.
Meals collaborated with “Nyao Island”
According to the tourist association, for meals you should use the affiliated “Shima Shokudo/Cat Cafe Nyaoshima”. Please confirm at the time of reservation whether meals are included in your accommodation plan, the store’s opening days, and the dinner and breakfast times.
When using a cat cafe, the resident cat at the inn and the cat at the cafe may live in different living environments. Please follow the respective rules and do not give food or drink to animals or transport cats to or from the accommodation.
Manufacturing and walking around Honmura
At the inn, visitors are guided through experiences such as making works using shells. What makes Naoshima special is that you don’t just tour the art facilities, but you also get to spend time getting to know the island’s materials and lifestyle. Please check with the inn regarding the content of the experience, fees, time required, and whether advance reservations are required.
There are places to visit such as the House Project in the Honmura area. There are closed days and limited reservation slots for viewing the works, so it is best to check the official information separately from your accommodation reservations and plan an itinerary that does not include too much travel time.
About 2 minutes walk from “Nokyo-mae” bus stop
The location is 774 Honmura, Naoshima Town. The tourist association informs us that it is about a 2-minute walk from the town bus “Nokyo-mae”. Boat and bus connections from Miyanoura Port and Honmura Port change depending on the season and day of the week, so be sure to check in advance for your return trip.
There are some places on the island that are far away just by walking. When using a bicycle, it is important to take into consideration hills, rainy weather, and the amount of luggage you are carrying, and to allow plenty of time to arrive at the port.
Basic information
| Item | Contents |
|---|---|
| Facility name | Minshuku Oyaji no Umi |
| Address | 774 Honmura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa 761-3110 (local address: 〒761-3110 香川県香川郡直島町本村774) |
| Cat | resident cat (resident dog is also included) |
| Distance with cats | B・Tourist Association provides guidance on how to interact with cats |
| guest-room visits | unconfirmed with current information |
| guest room | 5 Japanese-style rooms |
| Bath | 2 family baths |
| Transportation | Approximately 2 minutes walk from the town bus “Nokyo-mae” |
| Official Information | Naoshima Town Tourism Association |
Location and Google Maps
Minshuku Oyaji no Umi (民宿おやじの海)
〒761-3110 香川県香川郡直島町本村774
Summary
Minshuku Oyaji no Umi is an inn where you can spend time in an old private house on Naoshima while interacting with resident cats and signboard dogs. By combining it with walking around the main village and making things, you can experience more than just visiting art museums.
However, this is not an inn that guarantees guest-room visits, and interactions with animals are based on each individual’s physical condition and mood. Plan your stay in Naoshima with plenty of time by sorting out dining locations, facilities, and boat and bus schedules before making a reservation.
Related articles
- List of cat accommodations in Kagawa Prefecture
- Points to check when choosing a cat inn in an old folk house
- Things to check at an inn that has not only cats but also dogs
