naoshima from fukuoka?

is taking the shinkansen from hakata to okayama the best way to get to naoshima? thanks in advance

Yes:

Hakata - (shinkansen) - Okayama - (JR Uno Line) - Uno - (ferry) - Naoshima

thank you! heading tomorrow! :D

If you have a JR Pass or JR West Sanyo-San'in Area pass, the trains are fully covered.
The ferry timetable is here:
http://unoslopehouse.com/Naoshima-Island-ferry-timetable.php
Hopefully you can see some of Hakata before your trip. In particular the Nanzoin temple is spectacular (and free).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT4VQFmHFyM
You can also see a good guide to the city at
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/fukpic.html

Don't skimp on Okayama either. The Korakuen garden is one of Japan's best and most famous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zAI3_N7NEM
The Handayama Garden there is almost an unknown gem and largely free from the tourist crowds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGQ8o7k9GbA

thanks ken,

i stayed in fukuoka for over a week. had such an amazing time. the rest of kyushu is just amazing and deserve more recognition. afterall kyushu is the reason for modern japan. thanks for the okayama tip. i have until 10/1 on my JR pass, any other suggestions for my last few days? my ending destination is tokyo.

Southern Honshu has numerous great places, and most not overrun by the tourist crowds. If you have the time, you can add some excellent places to see.
In Yamaguchi, one of the biggest natural wonders of the country is the Akiyoshido Limestone Cave - it really has to be seen to be believed. A huge 9km tunnel (1km you can walk through) with big caverns and underground river going back over 300 million years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqIKC9S8TFQ
Iwakuni is just a stone's throw from Miyajima, but it is a shame that so few people go to see it. The bridge is marvellous, and the mountaintop castle is nice to explore and enjoy the view.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0COOZXi66mM
Hagi also makes a great old place to explore - it takes a while to get to, but the old time feel of the samurai district is still very much there, and the castle ruins are not crowded and very beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjw577xBinI
And if you want one of the best half-day hikes you'll ever take in your life, go see Kotohira in Kagawa - a real feast for the eyes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ley9rVIewoQ
Kansai has countless places worth going to see as well. It is amazing to find so many people go to see Kyoto, but then skip Nara close by.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-jGyApXWSTIKwkioxuAKw...
There is a lot more than Kyoto City - Uji, Koyasan, the mountains north of Kyoto, Kobe, and so on.
It's all up to your interests of course, but there is so much for nearly anyone.