Inujima

Inujima (犬島) is an island in the Seto Inland Sea and is part of Japan.

Understand
The name Inujima means "dog island". The island was named after a 3.6-m-high rock that looks like a dog. According to a legend, while traveling, the poet Sugawara no Michizane heard the call of a dog in the distance and was saved when he reached the island.

The island comprises 133 acres and has less than 100 full time residents. It is administered as part of Okayama City.

History
During the feudal age (1185-1603), the island was used as a source of granite to construct castles, including those in Osaka and Okayama.

In 1909, a copper refinery was opened and the population of the island increased to over 1,000 people. However, copper prices plummeted soon afterwards, and the refinery was permanently shut down in 1919.

In 2008, the ruins of the refinery were converted into the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum.

Get in
From Okayama, take a train to Saidaiji Station (20 minutes, ¥240). Then take a Ryobi Bus in the direction of Higashi Hoden (東宝伝), and get off at Nishi Hoden (西宝伝) (55 minutes, ¥510). Then take a ferry to Inujima (10 minutes, ¥300). Ferry schedules are available online (Click on the right tab in the middle "宝伝港から").

Inujima can also be reached via ferry from Naoshima (55 minutes, ¥1,850) and Teshima (25 minutes, ¥1,230). Check the ferry schedules online.

Get around
The island must be traversed on foot. Maps are available online. A guide to the island is also available online

Do
During the summer, the island is a popular place for swimming, camping, and kayaking.



Festivals and events
There are often mini-festivals and other special events related to art at various times.



Eat
There are a few small cafes near the port.

Go next

 * Naoshima
 * Okayama