Megijima Island
Megijima is a venue of the 2025 Setouchi Triennale
Megijima (女木島) is a small island a short ferry ride from the port of Takamatsu, less than four kilometers long and one kilometer wide. The island is home to around 150 people and besides two small villages and some fields consists mostly of forested mountains.
Megijima is associated with Onigashima, the Ogre Island from the popular Momotaro legend in which a small boy visited the island in order to fight its resident ogres. Indeed, a cave is found near Megijima's highest peak, which is said to have once served as the ogres' fortress. Visitors to the cave will find a series of interconnected chambers, some of which display large cartoon ogre statues depicting scenes from the Momotaro story.
A few steps from the cave is a mountaintop park with an observation deck, offering a 360 degree view of the Seto Inland Sea and the surrounding islands. Hundreds of cherry trees turn the park into a pleasant cherry blossom spot each spring, usually around early April.
On the mountain peak opposite the observation deck stands a large statue of Nichiren, the founder of the Nichiren sect of Japanese Buddhism. It is possible to walk up to the statue along a paved trail.
Megijima's atmospheric village of old wooden houses and narrow lanes is located around the ferry terminal and is protected towards the sea by high stone walls. During the summer months, the island attracts urbanites with its sand beach, which is located not far from the ferry port and is lined by multiple minshuku lodgings.
The ferry terminal is one of the more modern buildings on the island and provides tourists with an information desk, bicycle rentals and snacks. The terminal also houses a small exhibition space about the ogres from the Momotaro story.
Megijima is one of the venues of the Setouchi Triennale art festival and features several artwork-turned homes and a few other art pieces on permanent display. Additional artworks are on display during the art festivals. Most of the art pieces are closed on weekdays and during winter outside of the art festival.
Getting there and around
Getting to Megijima Island
A ferry operates every two hours between Takamatsu Port, Megijima and Ogijima. The one way ride between Takamatsu and Megijima takes 20 minutes and costs 370 yen.
How to get to and around Takamatsu
Getting around Megijima Island
Although Megijima is small, some people will find it just a little bit too large and its mountain a little bit too high to be explored on foot. Walking up the mountain takes about 30-45 minutes. For these people, a bus connects the ferry terminal and the cave in about ten minutes and for 500 yen one way or 800 yen for a round trip. Bus departures are timed to the ferry arrivals, but note that the bus does not operate everyday during the off-seasons.
Alternatively, bicycles are an attractive way to get around the island. They can be rented from the ferry port for 600 yen (regular) or 2000 yen (electric). An electric assist bike is recommended for accessing the cave as the road up the mountain is rather steep.
Hours and Fees
Onigashima Cave
Hours
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Takamatsu
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Guest House WakabayaFeaturing 2-star accommodation, Guest House Wakabaya is situated in Takamatsu, 2.6 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine and 3.5 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu. This guest house features free private parking, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. The guest house has family rooms. All units are fitted with air conditioning, and some have a TV, washing machine, a kettle, completed with a fully equipped kitchenette. At the guest house, each unit has bed linen and towels. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Sunport Fountain is 3.6 km from Guest House Wakabaya, while Asahi Green Park is 3.6 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 17 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Kitahama SumiyoshiSituated in Takamatsu and only 300 metres from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, Kitahama Sumiyoshi features accommodation with inner courtyard views, free WiFi and free private parking. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.2 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Sunport Fountain. The kitchen has a microwave, a toaster and a fridge and there is a private bathroom with slippers and a hair dryer. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance. Asahi Green Park is 3.2 km from the guest house, while Cormorant Shrine is 5.6 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 18 km away.View on Booking.com -
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THE CHELSEA BREATHSet in Takamatsu, 12 km from Sunport Takamatsu, THE CHELSEA BREATH offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a shared lounge and a garden. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. The air-conditioned rooms provide a garden view and come with a desk and free WiFi. At the hotel, every room has a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. The units will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at THE CHELSEA BREATH can enjoy a Japanese breakfast. The accommodation offers 3-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Liminal Air-core Takamatsu is 12 km from THE CHELSEA BREATH, while Sunport Fountain is 12 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 5 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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SetonejuanSet in Takamatsu, 5.2 km from Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum and 5.9 km from Yakurishion Christ Church, Setonejuan offers accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning, free bikes and a garden. The property features garden and city views, and is 6.1 km from Takamatsu Museum of History and Folklore. The guest house has family rooms as well as facilities for disabled guests. The units include a shared bathroom with a hair dryer, while selected rooms also offer a patio and others also have sea views. At the guest house, units come with bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available at the guest house. Guests at Setonejuan will be able to enjoy activities in and around Takamatsu, like cycling and hiking. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Naritasanshodaiji Temple is 6.2 km from the accommodation, while Rokumanji Temple is 6.4 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 30 km away.View on Booking.com -
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kaeru Guest houseSet just 10 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, kaeru Guest house provides accommodation in Takamatsu with access to free bikes, a garden, as well as bicycle parking. This guest house offers free private parking, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. The guest house has family rooms. The area is popular for cycling and hiking, and car hire is available at this 1-star guest house. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Sunport Fountain is 11 km from the guest house, while Kitahamaebisu Shrine is 11 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 11 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Konyamachi Guest House KukuLocated in Takamatsu, 1.3 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, Konyamachi Guest House Kuku provides accommodation with a terrace, free WiFi, private check-in and check-out, and bicycle parking. The property is set 1.3 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, 1.3 km from Sunport Fountain and 4 km from Asahi Green Park. The guest house features family rooms. Some units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kettle, as well as a fully equipped kitchen. At the guest house, the units are equipped with a private bathroom. Cormorant Shrine is 6.3 km from the guest house, while Yakurishion Christ Church is 8 km away. Takamatsu Airport is 17 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Ten to Sen GuesthouseSet within 2 km of Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and 1.8 km of Kitahamaebisu Shrine, Ten to Sen Guesthouse offers rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Takamatsu. 2.1 km from Sunport Fountain and 4.7 km from Asahi Green Park, the property features a terrace and a shared lounge. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests. With a shared bathroom equipped with slippers, units at the guest house also have free WiFi, while some rooms come with a balcony. At the guest house, the units come with bed linen and towels. Cormorant Shrine is 7.1 km from the guest house, while Yakurishion Christ Church is 7.8 km away. Takamatsu Airport is 16 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Traditional Apartment Takamatsu GuesthouseOffering garden views, Traditional Apartment Takamatsu Guesthouse is an accommodation situated in Takamatsu, 1.4 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine and 2.4 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu. Among the facilities at this property are luggage storage space and a concierge service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can book themselves in for fitness classes or yoga classes. All units are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. Selected rooms also boast a fully equipped kitchen with a toaster, a stovetop and kitchenware. At the guest house, units include bed linen and towels. There is a coffee shop and bar. Sightseeing tours are available in the vicinity of the property. A car rental service is available at the guest house, while cycling can be enjoyed nearby. Sunport Fountain is 2.5 km from Traditional Apartment Takamatsu Guesthouse, while Asahi Green Park is 4 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 16 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Sunny Day HostelSunny Day Hostel features accommodation in Takamatsu near Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and Sunport Fountain. With a bar, the 2-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 600 metres from Kitahamaebisu Shrine. The rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. The hostel offers a sun terrace. Asahi Green Park is 3.4 km from Sunny Day Hostel, while Cormorant Shrine is 5.8 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 17 km away.View on Booking.com -
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JR Hotel Clement TakamatsuJR Hotel Clement Takamatsu features 7 dining options, free WiFi while certain rooms feature panoramic sea and city views, a 1-minute stroll from JR Takamatsu Station. It offers massages and a hairdresser, and it boasts a fresh bakery. Located next to Kagawa International Conference Hall, the Clement Takamatsu JR Hotel is also in front of a ferry terminal that brings you to Shikoku or Shodoshima Island. Takamatsu Castle is a 10-minute walk. Overlooking the Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai), Western and Japanese rooms are all air-conditioned and soundproof, each fitted with a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. They have a seating area and a bathroom including a bathtub and toiletries. Facilities at the Takamatsu Clement include a souvenir shop and a flower shop. Dry cleaning service and luggage storage are available. Bar Astro offers original and popular cocktails, as well as snacks, with panoramic views from the 21st floor. Caf? & Restaurant Vent offers a buffet with a variety of Western and Japanese meals, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while other restaurants offer Western-style, Japanese or authentic Cantonese cuisine.View on Booking.com
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