Tamano: Art at Uno Port and ferry connections

Tamano offers a range of options for your trip: contemporary art at Uno Port, ferry connections to islands, and destinations within the municipality.

Art and history at Uno Port

Uno Port is one of the locations of the contemporary art project Setouchi. Artworks can be seen along the quays. These include Chinu, a giant sculpture depicting a black sea bream. It was made from discarded items, including colorful empty cans, plastic bottles, and other household objects. At the port, a motif from the sea thus meets materials from everyday life. The art on display may change as temporary works are added or removed.

The Setouchi Triennale is also connected to the port: Uno has been one of its venues since 2013; the program may change in future editions. The work Uno no Chinu was created at the first Setouchi Triennale in 2010 and exhibited at Uno Port. This historical connection gives the port an additional link to art, without establishing any particular future festival program.

Station, port, and ferry connections

From Chikko Ginza Station, Uno Port is about a ten-minute walk. This is an approximate walking time; as routes may change, it is advisable to check the route before your visit. Ferries from Uno Port connect to Naoshima, Teshima, and Shodoshima. These three island destinations are a good reason to keep the port in mind when planning your trip. It is worth checking the ferry schedule for your travel date.

Two distinct aspects therefore stand out: Uno is both a location of the Setouchi art project and a port with connections to the islands mentioned above. If you are looking for a hotel in Tamano, you can weigh these features against the other destinations in the municipality, rather than limiting your trip solely to art or ferry travel.

Park, garden, and attractions in the municipality

Within Tamano, Miyama Park includes the Wanpaku Hiroba playground, as well as lawn, open, and water play areas. In spring, cherry blossoms and picnics can be enjoyed at Mimik-chan Plaza. The different areas give the park several ways to enjoy it: there are designated play areas as well as open spaces and seasonal cherry blossoms. Spring is specifically associated with blossoms and opportunities for picnics.

Miyama Park also has food options. Vegetables and fresh fish are sold directly, and there are takeaway meals and restaurants. Individual operators may change. The Miyama English Garden, with six themed gardens designed by British garden designer Peter Thurman, is also within the municipality. The park and garden offer different features: the park focuses on play and open spaces as well as seasonal blossoms, while the garden showcases six thematically arranged gardens.

Shrine, tradition, and views

At Tamahime Shrine in Tamano, Toyotamahime-no-Mikoto is enshrined. She is considered a guardian deity of the sea and a deity of safe childbirth. A mountain path from the grounds of Tamahime Shrine leads to the upper shrine of Goryu Inari Shrine in about five minutes. According to local tradition, a fireball that had burst forth from Tateishi fell there. From the upper shrine, you can look out over the townscape of the Tama district in Tamano City. The path thus combines a shrine visit with a local tradition and a view of the district.

Which of these features matters most to you can help guide your choice of hotel.

Discover more destinations: Mimasaka, Kagamino, Asakuchi, Tsuyama, Okayama, Kurashiki, Nishiawakura, Setouchi

For the broader travel overview: Okayama Prefecture.