Inujima Island: A Haven of History, Art, and Nature 🏝️
Useful Links 🔗
The Heart of Inujima 🌍
Nestled just 10 minutes away from Hoden Port in southeastern Okayama Prefecture lies Inujima, a quaint island of 0.54 km^2 in size and enveloped by a 3.6 km shoreline. The island, at the zenith of its copper smelting and quarrying activities, teemed with approximately 5,000 inhabitants.
Vibrant Lives within Narrow Alleys 🌆
As of January 2015, a mere 47 souls reside amidst the island's intricately woven narrow alleys. Inujima's distinction is being Okayama city's lone inhabited island. However, with its population averaging 75 years, the island confronts grave concerns of depopulation and aging.
Nature's Stone Bounty 🌳
The island prides itself on its granite production, famously termed as Inujima Mikage. This stone boasts recognition across Japan, adorning the historic walls of prominent structures like Edo Castle, Osaka Castle, and Okayama Castle.
Echoes from the Past 📜
Inujima's prosperity traces back to its booming copper smelting and quarrying operations. Today, remnants of these industries from the Meiji and Taisho eras cast a hauntingly beautiful shadow on the island.
Breathing Art into Inujima 🎨
2008 saw the inauguration of the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, a symbol of preservation and transformation of the island's former smelter. Subsequently, 2010 marked the beginning of the Inujima Art House Project under the visionaries Yuko Hasegawa and Kazuyo Sejima.
Key Art Facilities on Inujima:
- Inujima Seirensho Art Museum
- Inujima "Art House Project"
- Inujima Life Garden
- INUJIMA Art Rendezvous
Dive into the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum:
Nestled on Inujima Island, the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum resurrects the legacy of a bygone copper refinery. The museum, conceived under the philosophy 'using what exists to create what is to be', showcases Hiroshi Sambuichi's eco-friendly architecture that harnesses natural forces, harmoniously blending with Yukinori Yanagi's art, which resonates with Yukio Mishima's warnings against unchecked modernization. Moreover, its groundbreaking water purification technology further emphasizes a sustainable, recycling-based society.
Visitor Information:
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Last entry: 4:00 p.m.)
- Admission: JPY 2,100 (children below 15 years: Free)
- Closure: Tuesdays to Thursdays from March 1 to November 30 (Exceptions on national holidays). Entire closure from December 1 to end of February.
Summary ✨
Inujima Island emerges as an oasis blending natural beauty, historical richness, and artistic innovation. From its granite treasures to the art installations that breathe life into its industrial remnants, Inujima stands as a testament to the harmony of preservation and evolution.
