Shamijima is a venue of the 2025 Setouchi Triennale
(during the spring session only)
Shamijima (沙弥島) was originally a tiny island off the coast of Shikoku that was eventually connected to the larger landmass by reclaimed land in 1967. A decade later, the former island became the southern endpoint of the Seto Ohashi Bridge, a 9.4 kilometer long bridge network that connects Shikoku to Okayama Prefecture on Honshu, Japan's largest island.
Today the quiet, easily walkable area around Shamijima is home to a small fishing village, some beaches, parks, temples, shrines and a few museums.
The most notable museum on Shamijima is the Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum. Constructed in 2005, this modern art facility showcases the work of Higashiyama Kaii, a landscape painter whose grandfather was born in the area. An exhibition of his paintings is on display and rotates seasonally. Two special exhibitions are held each year in spring and autumn.
Together with nearby Seijima, another former island, Shamijima serves as one of the venues of the Setouchi Triennale art festival, known as the Seto Ohashi Bridge Area. A few of the modern art installations from the festivals remain permanently installed around the parks and beaches of the former islands for the enjoyment of visitors.
A short walk from the Higashiyama Kaii Art Museum is the Seto Ohashi Memorial Park, a public park built to commemorate the completion of the Seto Ohashi Bridge. It features a large promenade with fountains, lawns and a sports field. The park is also home to the Seto Ohashi Memorial Hall, an observation point and museum which displays photos and dioramas about the history and construction of the bridge. In addition, several large pieces of equipment used to make the bridge are stationed around the park.
Standing along the west end of the memorial park is the 132 meter high Seto Ohashi Tower. The tower features an observation chamber which lifts visitors 108 meters into the air and rotates for 360 degree views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge, Seto Inland Sea and Shamijima below.
Getting there and around
JR Sakaide Station, the nearest train station to Shamijima, can be reached by direct JR trains from Marugame (10 minutes, 280 yen, frequent departures), Takamatsu (15-25 minutes, 530 yen, frequent departures) and Okayama (40 minutes, 1210 yen, 1-2 trains per hour). Buses connect the station to Shamijima (20 minutes) and Seijima (35 minutes). The one way fare is 600 yen between the station and either island (400 yen outside the festival) and 300 yen between the two islands (200 yen outside the festival). Buses operate 1-2 times per hour during the festival's spring session, but only every three hours outside of the festival.
How to get to and around Marugame
Hours and Fees
Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum
Hours
Closed
Admission
800 yen (special exhibitions)
640 yen with a Setouchi Triennale Passport
Seto Ohashi Memorial Museum
Hours
Closed
Admission
Seto Ohashi Tower
Hours
Closed
Admission
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Links and Resources
