Ogijima Island

Published on : 22/05/2019
by : Ph.L

L'ile d'Ogijima — Ogijima Island
Wikimedia

An abandoned island brought back to life with art

Located between the large islands of Honshu and Shikoku, Ogijima is one of the smallest islands in the Seto Inland Sea and shines during the Setouchi Triennial season attracting visitors from all around the world!

A jewel of 2 km² almost abandoned in the middle of Japanese lands

With an area of 2 km², Ogijima is one of the smallest islands in Japan's Inland Sea, also called the Seto Sea.

Its surroundings are then intended to be calm and shaded, since the island shelters all and for all only one village overhung by hills and forests.

Responding to the sweet name of Ogicho, the village of Ogijima has long been a victim of the rural exodus. And if today the village still has a hundred inhabitants, it is mainly made up of fishermen and elderly people who are still too attached to the beauty of the place to leave.

This is why the small island still attracted very few people about ten years ago, apart of course from seasoned hikers who were full of praise for its old houses and its green curves.

Le phare d'Ogijima — Ogijima Lighthouse
Wikimedia

Des maisons pittoresques désormais au service de l'art — Picturesque houses now at the service of art
Wikimedia

Fortunately, in 2010 the Setouchi Triennale project landed on the coast, and the island of Ogijima, whose superb beauty was just waiting to be admired, miraculously came back to life.

The Setouchi Triennale is a contemporary art festival bringing artists from Japan, but also from around the world, to the small islands of the Seto Inland Sea. The works created there are then either exhibited in one of the many museums in the region or installed in the open air, in the four corners of the Setouchi islands.

A space dedicated to art since 2010

With the ambition to revitalize the surroundings by transforming the 12 islands of the Seto Inland Sea into open-air museums every 3 years, the Setouchi Triennale has blown a wind of renewal on the island of Ogijima. An island that lends itself perfectly to the project, since its small area can only be explored on foot or by bicycle.

On the occasion of the Triennale, it is therefore provided with your ArtPassport (a pass allowing you to enter each site for free the first time, then to pay only 200 yen (about 1.60 euros) for entry the following times instead of 300 yen (about 2.50 euros)) that you will discover Ogijima!

Among the various works of art that populate the island, Ogijima Soul, a building with enigmatic architecture, the Tako Tsuboru, a children's playground in the shape of an octopus, and the paintings of the Ogijima Valley which are present everywhere in the village, are ''must see'' in this season.

Without forgetting of course the different sculptures, cafes, and optical games, which are sure to arouse the curiosity of adults and children alike!

Art en scène — Performing arts
Flick/Kentaro Ohno

Les Triennales à Ogijima — The Triennales in Ogijima
Flick/Chieee

Les peintures de la Vallée d'Ogijima — Ogijima Valley Paintings
Flick/Carol Lin

How to get to Ogijima Island?

As for accessing all the surrounding islands, it is by boat that you will have to go to Ogijima to enjoy the Triennale. A ferry called Meon also runs regularly between Takamatsu and the island, with one boat every two hours from 8 am to 6 pm. The trip then lasts about 40 minutes, and the round trip costs only 1040 yen (about $11/9€).

Want art and some fresh air? Ogijima is the place to go!

Exploring the Seto Inland Sea and the Setouchi Triennial

For further :

Address, timetable & access

Address
Timetable
By boat from Takamatsu (Kotoku, Yosan lines), adult - 1040 yen round trip, child - 520 yen round trip.
Access
The three highlights of the 2019 Setouchi Triennale: April 26 to May 26, July 19 to August 25, and September 28 to November 4.