Japan Trip: Enjoying Nature, Sardines, and Art on Ibukijima Island, Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku
【★042★Kagawa Ibukijima Island】
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Located off the coast of Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku is the small fisherman island Ibukijima Island (伊吹島). Visitors may be surprised to learn that this island, only 1 square kilometer in size is the nation’s largest producers for sardines and anchovies. Visitors interested in the capture and processing of these tiny sea creatures should visit the island from June to August.
Ibukijima’s roadways are the old-fashioned maze of narrow alleys which makes wandering around this island on foot the best means to explore. Visitors will find temples and shrines, including the Ibuki Hachimangu Shrine on the island. There are stores and restaurants on the island as well.
However, Ibukijima is suffering from depopulation. Though the island has the top position in sardine/anchovy production, each year the number of residents is declining. Schools are being closed, due to lack of students and there are several vacant houses on this beautiful island.
Ibukijima is one of the venues for Setochi Triennale, a modern art festival with multiple exhibit locations among the islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Ibukijima and the other islands hope to rebrand themselves as contemporary art friendly islands to increase economic and population growth. One of the pieces from the 2013 show, the House of Toilet, has a permanent home on the island for visitors to appreciate.
Access Information
1. To Kanonji Train Station (nearest train station to Ibukijima)
**From Marugame Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji. The one way journey will take 20-45 minutes with a cost of 550 to 1820 yen.
**From Takamatsu Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji. The one way journey will take 50-75 minutes with a cost of 1090 to 2790 yen.
**From Okayama Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji. The one way journey will take 60-110 minutes with a cost of 1530 to 3230 yen.
2. From Kanonji Train Station to Kanonji Port
**Via Bus: Board the local bus to the port. The one-way journey is 10 minutes with a cost of 100 yen. There is 1 bus every 2 hours.
**Via Taxi: The taxi should take about 10 minutes with a cost of about 800 yen.
**On Foot: about 20minute walk from the station to the port
3. From Kanonji Port to Ibukijima
**Board the ferry to Ibukijima. The one-way journey is 25 minutes with a cost of 510 yen. There are 4 ferries per day.
Alo Japan.