Photo: KimonBerlin / CC BY-SA 2.0Megijima sits 20 minutes from the Takamatsu waterfront, and is known as Onigashima, Ogre Island. The ferry operator's page describes the Ogre Cave, called Onigashima Daidokutsu, on the summit, and a 188 m lookout, Washigamine, with a 360-degree view over the Seto Inland Sea. A regional tourism site gives the cave as 400 m long and about 15 minutes to walk through.
You land at the port, where the Oni-no-Yakata (ogre house) has a light-meal restaurant, shops and coin lockers, and the island bus to the cave leaves from there. Walking is the way to get round the rest of the island, and cars are not allowed.The ferries are few, so the plan is built around the ferry times.
The catch is that the timetable is the schedule: the ferry runs every two hours. Miss the 13:20 and you wait until 15:20. The bus fare and cave fee are on top of the ferry, and the operator's page gives no bus times. On a stormy day check the operator before you leave the ship. If you want contemporary art instead of folklore, take the Naoshima guide.
Five things the plaques won't tell you
- Fix your return ferry before you set out: from Megijima they leave at 9:20, 11:20, 13:20, 15:20 and 17:20.
- Tickets are sold from 30 minutes before departure and foot passengers are first come, first served.
- Bring cash: the cave fee is cash only, according to a regional tourism site.
- The island bus is ¥800 return for adults (¥400 for children) from the Oni-no-Yakata at the port; the operator publishes no timetable, so check at the port.
- Coin lockers at the Oni-no-Yakata cost ¥100 and are open 8:20 to 17:30.
Walking is the way to get round the rest of the island, and cars are not allowed.The ferries are few, so the plan is built around the ferry times.
Guided days from Takamatsu
Booked before you sail — there is no tour desk at the pier. Booking through these links supports the site.
More in Takamatsu
Questions people ask here
How do I get from Takamatsu cruise port to Megijima?
Walk about 9 minutes to Prefectural Pier No. 3 beside JR Hotel Clement at Sunport and take the Meon ferry. It sails at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:10 and takes 20 minutes, ¥370 one way or ¥740 return.
When is the last ferry back from Megijima?
On the ordinary timetable (not 1 to 20 August), ferries leave Megijima at 9:20, 11:20, 13:20, 15:20 and 17:20, each reaching Takamatsu 20 minutes later. On a call that sails at 17:00 or earlier, aim for the 15:20 at the latest.
How much is the Ogre Cave on Megijima?
A regional tourism site gives ¥600 for adults and ¥500 for visitors aged 65 and over with proof of age, cash only, open 8:35 to 16:55 with last entry at 16:30. The island bus from the port is ¥800 return for adults, per the ferry operator.