Megijima Island
Megijima (—–Ø“‡) 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 to 1500 yen. A mountain bike or 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 WakabayaGuest House Wakabaya is situated in Takamatsu, a 5-minute walk away from Hanazono Station of the Kotoden Nagao Line. The Kotoden Nagao Line can be accessed from Takamatsu-Chikko Station. Takamatsu-Chikko Station is a 3-minute walk from both JR Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port. A limousine bus is available from Takamatsu Airport, and takes approximately 40-minutes from the airport to Kawaramachi Station. From Kawaramachi Station, guests can take the Kotoden Line to Hanazono Station. Free private parking is available on site. Rooms include a shared bathroom. Extras include slippers and free toiletries. Guest House Wakabaya features free WiFi throughout the property. There is a shared kitchen at the property. The guest house also offers bike hire at a charge. Takamatsu Port and the downtown area are respectively a 25-minute and 10-minute bike ride away.View on Booking.com -
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Ten to Sen GuesthouseSet in Takamatsu and with Liminal Air-core Takamatsu reachable within 2 km, Ten to Sen Guesthouse offers a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. The property is located 1.8 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, 2.1 km from Sunport Fountain and 3.2 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum. Asahi Green Park is 4.7 km from the guest house and Cormorant Shrine is 7.1 km away. All rooms are complete with a shared bathroom and air conditioning, and some rooms come with a balcony. At the guest house all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Yakurishion Christ Church is 7.8 km from Ten to Sen Guesthouse, while Naritasanshodaiji Temple is 8.1 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Traditional Apartment Takamatsu GuesthouseSituated in Takamatsu and within 1.4 km of Kitahamaebisu Shrine, Traditional Apartment Takamatsu Guesthouse has a bar, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. The property is set 2.4 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, 2.4 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum and 2.5 km from Sunport Fountain. The accommodation features a concierge service, a tour desk and luggage storage for guests. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. Selected rooms also boast a kitchen with a stovetop and a toaster. At the guest house the rooms have bed linen and towels. The area is popular for cycling, and car hire is available at Traditional Apartment Takamatsu Guesthouse. Asahi Green Park is 4 km from the accommodation, while Cormorant Shrine is 6.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from Traditional Apartment Takamatsu Guesthouse.View on Booking.com -
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Sunny Day HostelFeaturing 2-star accommodation, Sunny Day Hostel is set in Takamatsu, 1.2 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and 1.3 km from 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. Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum is 1.7 km from Sunny Day Hostel, while Asahi Green Park is 3.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 17 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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FAV HOTEL TAKAMATSULocated 1.3 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, FAV HOTEL TAKAMATSU offers 4-star accommodation in Takamatsu and features a terrace. The property is set 2.3 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum, 2.4 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and 2.4 km from Sunport Fountain. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At FAV HOTEL TAKAMATSU each room includes bed linen and towels. Asahi Green Park is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Cormorant Shrine is 6.2 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from FAV HOTEL TAKAMATSU.View on Booking.com -
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Comfort Hotel TakamatsuSituated 2.1 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, Comfort Hotel Takamatsu offers 2-star accommodation in Takamatsu and has free bikes. This 2-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Comfort Hotel Takamatsu the rooms come with bed linen and towels. The daily breakfast offers buffet, continental or American options. Kitahamaebisu Shrine is 2 km from the accommodation, while Sunport Fountain is 2.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from Comfort Hotel Takamatsu.View on Booking.com -
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Royal Park Hotel TakamatsuOffering modern rooms with a Simmons bed, a flat-screen satellite TV and free wired internet, Royal Park Hotel is a 5-minute drive from JR Takamatsu Train Station. Massages and bicycles are available. Each air-conditioned room at Royal Park Hotel Takamatsu includes a fridge and an electric kettle with roasted green tea. You can watch pay TV programmes or unwind with a hot bath. Toiletries are provided. Tamamo Park is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Ritsurin Park is 1.5 km away, and Takamatsu Airport is about a 30-minute drive. There is the 24-hour front desk, which offers luggage storage. Free-use internet stations are on site. Staying guests have access to the property's Club Lounge. Services include tea and some snacks between 15:00 - 18:00,alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and some snacks between 18:00 - 20:00, and from 20:00 - 22:00, the lounge will operate as a bar, serving alcoholic beverages and some snacks.View on Booking.com -
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Condominium Hotel YuzukiSet in Takamatsu, 1.3 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine and 2 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, Condominium Hotel Yuzuki offers city views and free WiFi. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. A fridge, a microwave and stovetop are also offered, as well as a kettle. Sunport Fountain is 2.1 km from the apartment, while Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum is 2.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from Condominium Hotel Yuzuki.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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WeBase TAKAMATSUSet in Takamatsu, 1.4 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, WeBase TAKAMATSU offers air-conditioned accommodation and a shared lounge. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a shared kitchen, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can enjoy city views. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the hotel. Popular points of interest near WeBase TAKAMATSU include Kitahama Alley Shopping Street, Sunport Takamatsu and Liminal Air-core Takamatsu. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 15 km from the accommodation. Please note that the hotel will undergo a scheduled room maintenance between 10F to 11F on the following dates: 1st September 2021 - around the end of October.View on Booking.com
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