Japan Travel: Historic Architecture and Maritime Adventures on Honjima Island, Marugawa, Kagawa, Shikoku
【★038★Kagawa Honjima Island】
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Visitors interested in maritime transportation, Japan’s past and small island beauty should visit Honjima (本島), located in the Seto Inland Sea off the coast of Marugame City in Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku. Honjima is the second largest island in the Shiwaku Islands which belong to Marugame City.
Shiwaku Islands played a vital role in maritime century with Honjima being the center of power among the islands. In the past, the home base of the Shiwaku Navy (Shiwaku Suigun) was located in Honjima. In the late 1500’s, Toyotomi Hideyoshi recruited members of Shiwaku Navy, an organization of highly skilled Japanese sailors, join him to facilitate trade as well as government affairs on behalf of the shogun. Visitors interested in learning more about this part of Japanese history are encouraged to visit the former government office (Shiwaku Kinbansho). Visitors can view relics of the Shiwaku Navy here, such as the logbook of the Kanrin Mary, the first Japanese ship to cross the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors may also wish to visit Kasashima Town, along the northeastern coast of Honjima. Walking through the narrow streets with the old fashioned stone walls, visitors will come upon the Important Historic Structure Group Preservation Zone where old wooden townhouses that have been preserved to reflect the traditional architecture. Though there are about 20 townhouses, only 3 have been site aside for visitors to enter to view the typical traditional Japanese household items.
Among the few other points of interest on the island is the old fashioned elementary school, the former Mizumiiro Elementary School on the west coast. This school was used in the 2004 movie “Kikansha Sensei (Big Silent Man)”. Also on the west coast is Meotogura (“couple warehouse”), a uniquely constructed warehouse. Visitors will find various shrines and temples on the island as well.
Honjima is one of the venues for Setouchi Triennale, a modern art festival with venues spread out among the islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Several of the outdoor art pieces from the festival have a permanent home on Honjima, allowing visitors to appreciate them during their visit.
Access Information
From Shikoku:
From Marugame, visitors can utilize the high speed or car ferries between Marugame Port and Honjima Port. The one-way journey on the high speed ferry will take 20 minutes with a cost of 550 yen. The one-way journey on the car ferry will take 35 minutes with a cost of 550 yen as well. There are only eight ferry departures per day.
From Honshu (mainland Japan):
From Kojima, visitors can take a high speed ferry to Honjima Port. The one-way journey will take 30 minutes with a cost of 640 yen. There are only 2 departures in the mornings followed by 2 departures in the afternoon.