Have you ever heard of Megijima, or Onigashima, located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture?
Megijima, located about 4km north of Takamatsu City, is also called Onigashima because of a huge cave on top of Washigamine Mountain in the center of the island, where demons are said to have lived in the past.

Megijima in Seto Inland Sea

Megijima, which can be reached by ferry from Takamatsu Port in about 20 minutes, offers many attractions such as bathing beaches, Matsubara campground, and Onigashima Great Cave.

Megijima is also famous as an island of art, and is one of the venues for Setouchi International Art Festival 2022, which is held once every three years on 12 islands and two ports in Seto Inland Sea.

The island is also known as “Onigashima,” and stone structures and artwork depicting the image of demons are scattered throughout the island, making for an enjoyable sightseeing experience.

Tourist spots in Megijima

As soon as you get off the ferry, you will see “Oni-no-Yakata”（Mansion of Demons), marked by a red pillar. This is also a tourist information center where you can rent bicycles.

There were also regular bicycles available, but we rented an electric bicycle after hearing a staff member say, “If you want to go not only to the artworks around the coast, but also to the Oni-no-Kutsu Cave and the observation deck, an electric bicycle would be better.

That’s what we expected from Onigashima! The color of the bicycle is red, of course, and the illustration on the basket is cute and different for each one. The fact that it was a consecutive holiday meant that most of the bicycles were already rented, but miraculously we were able to borrow ones. You can also rent a helmet,too.

Enjoying the artworks along the coast

Before cycling, we went to the first artwork we had already noticed when we got off the ferry, “The Seagull Parking Lot.” We had seen the work in pictures, but they were really lined up in rows.
The seagulls were changing directions depending on the direction of the wind. we were surprised to find out that there were about 300 seagulls in the area.


Once again, we got on our bicycles and headed out. The bike is electric, so it moves forward smoothly without any effort.
We went along the coast to go to the beach and encountered the moai statues. (Seagulls were lining up here, too.)

Beyond that, the second artwork, “Recollections of the 20th Century,” appeared.
From a distance, it looked like a boat, but as we approached it, we could hear faint music coming from the piano.
The art concept is “a collaboration between the piano and the waves,” with the music from the piano playing a melody in response to the sound of the ocean waves spread out in front of me.


It was a beautiful sunny day, and the water surface reflected the sunlight.

We arrived at the third artwork, “Setouchi Carnival,” early.
A huge folding screen depicting the legend of Onigashima Island by a picture book artist from Onomichi was displayed in an old house.
The folding screen is very powerful when viewed in front of you, and there is also a room in the back with illustrations of demons’ faces pasted all over it, which is also worth seeing.

Lunch with a view of the sea at Megijima Meitengai

we arrived at Megijima Meitengai (shopping street). In front of me was the bathing beach, and nearby was Matsubara campground, crowded with people relaxing in their tents. Camping here looks like a lot of fun.
It was just about lunch time, so we had lunch at “UMIYADO Onishun.”



The café menu unusually had hamo tendon, so we ordered it along with our favorite curry with pork cutlet. The plum sauce brought out the flavor of the hamo and it was fantastic.

Artworks in Megijima Meitengai

There were also many works of art around UMIYADO Onishun.
At “Recycle Shop Reproduction Ruins,” spoons, cups, figurines, and various other items were embedded in the plaster walls and displayed in a way that truly resembled ruins.


There were also many other artworks inside the building. Since we don’t usually have the opportunity to experience art, it was exciting to actually enter the space and experience art with all five senses.



At “Glass Fishing Hook Shop,” a large number of fish hooks made of glass were hanging down, and visitors could even make their own.

It was crowded with many people.

Leisurely pottering around the town

Leaving Megi Metenidori, we went to “Mekon,” which was one of the art sites we were interested in.
There is a large bicycle parking lot, which can be used as a base for visiting nearby art.

Meokon is an artwork inside a closed elementary school, and the more you look at it, the more you are drawn in.


Meiga-za Theater near Mekon is filled with portraits of famous people. The exquisite illustrations make you want to take a picture with them.
This retro theater was originally a warehouse, but it was hard to notice.

Onigashima Great Cave

We are now ready to go to Onigashima. The road turns from flat to mountainous.


The electric power assist system made the uphill climb a little more bearable. The hardest part was the sun.
The guide to Onigashima Giant Cave is also a demon. He also tells us the distance to the cave.


After about a 10-minute ride through the wilderness, we arrived at the bus stop for the Onigashima Giant Cave.
We bought a ticket at the entrance to the cave and checked the map.


The receptionist kindly told us to be careful because it was dark, and so we entered the cave where the demons used to live.
It was cool inside, and “Oni-gawara” (the tiles with devil faces) were placed all over the cave. It was fun to find my favorite one, which seemed to have been made by local junior high school students and had a different expression on each one.



There is a story inside the cave, and it was like actually experiencing the story of Momotaro.
After leaving the cave, a short walk takes you to an observatory from which you can look out over the entire island. The view was great and it was a nice little resting spot.

The return trip was downhill and the breeze felt good.

Before returning the bicycle, we bought a ticket for the return ferry. The ferry was full that day and we had to forego the time we wanted to board.
It is recommended to buy tickets early.

After returning the bicycle, the day’s pottering was over.

Summary

We spent a leisurely four hours enjoying the island. Actually riding my bicycle on Megijima was a great way to feel the tranquility of the island, and being immersed in art from head to toe was very refreshing.
There is a store right in front of Oninokan that sells soft-serve ice cream, and we had one while waiting for the ferry. It was out of this world delicious. It was an unforgettable experience, and we strongly hope to visit the island again.

Megijima Cycling Information

Bicycle rental shop

●Oninokan
Address: 15-22, Megi-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
Business Hour: 8:20 a.m. -5:00 p.m. ※Reservations not accepted
Web: https://oninoyakata.mystrikingly.com/
https://www.my-kagawa.jp/en/see-and-do/10116

Ferry Information

●Shiyujima Kaiun Co.
Please refer to the website for timetables, ticket prices, etc.
Web：https://meon.co.jp/