Ibukijima Island

Ibukijima (ˆÉ��“‡) is a small island off the coast of Shikoku and the westernmost inhabited island of Kagawa Prefecture. Although only about one square kilometer in size, the tiny island is Japan's largest producer of sardines and anchovies, which are caught in the surrounding Seto Inland Sea and processed at plants that line Ibukijima's western coast. The peak of the fishing season around the island takes place from June to August.

Easily explored on foot, the center of Ibukijima is covered by a small, weathered fishing village with a disorienting web of narrow lanes. The village is also home to temples and shrines, including the Ibuki Hachimangu Shrine at the island's center, a handful of shops and restaurants, and several viewpoints. Despite its fishing industry, Ibukijima is suffering from population decline, and some of the effects can be seen in a closed down school and numerous abandoned homes found around the island.

As a means to combat this, Ibukijima has joined several other islands in the Seto Inland Sea to promote itself as a destination to see contemporary art and to host the Setouchi Triennale art festival. A couple of permanent art works from previous festivals remain on the island and can also be viewed outside of the festival's periods.