Island Time: Walking, Getting Lost, and Encountering the Ogijima Time! Report to Prepare for Island Travel

高松港からフェリーで40分の場所にある、人口150人ほどの男木島。瀬戸内国際芸術祭2025では春・夏・秋のすべての会期で会場となっていて、現代アートもたくさんある島です。島の周囲は約5kmほどで、島内の移動手段は基本的には徒歩です。というのも、男木島は斜面に集落が広がっているため急な坂道が多く、道幅もとても狭い場所がたくさんあるからです。この坂道と、集落を支える石垣が男木島の景観の特徴の一つ。石垣のなかには、古くは江戸時代から残っているものもあるそうです。狭くて急な路地を歩いて散策するのはときに疲れますが、坂が多い分あらゆる場所から海が見えるのも男木島の特徴。男木島特有の石垣と、その向こうに広がる青い海、それらを切り取った写真は、栞にして持ち歩きたくなるほどの美しさです。
男木島には宿泊施設や飲食店も数軒あります。ただし、芸術祭期間中の飲食店はとくに混雑が予想されるので、早めに行く、あるいは可能なら予約をするなど計画的な行動をおすすめします。自動販売機も数台ありますが、人気の商品はすぐに売り切れてしまいます。男木島に行く際は、飲食店に入れなかった場合に備えて軽食を準備しておくこと、また、飲み物も多めに持参しておくことをおすすめします。

Since reservations cannot be made for the ferry between Takamatsu Port and Ogijima, it is recommended to get to the boarding area early during high season. If you Megijima visit both OgijimaMegijima in one day, buy a one-way ticket instead of a round-trip ticket. If you want to visit both Ogijima and Megijima in one day, buy a one-way ticket instead of a round-trip ticket.
In addition, many villages have deep ditches along the sides of the roads. When visiting Ogijima, please wear comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers and watch your step.
Most tourists and residents walk along the narrow streets of Ogijima, but occasionally a small postman's motorcycle may pass by. In such cases, please yield the right of way and be mindful to respect the island's lifelines. It is also important to take home as much garbage as possible to protect the islanders' way of life. The island does not collect garbage very often, so if tourists generate a lot of garbage, it will be a burden on the islanders. There are few shared trash cans, so be sure to take your own trash home with you.

Ogijima is also home to many such friendly and warm people. Especially Ogijima many of the roads are narrow, the custom of saying "hello" to each other as you pass each other on the road may be a natural outgrowth of mutual consideration. For tourists, such casual greetings give them a sense of "acceptance by the islanders," which is a very happy feeling.
On Ogijima it is customary to greet even strangers, you may become friends with islanders you meet by chance on the roadside or at the harbor, and they may tell you many things about life on the island. Such interaction with the islanders is one of the best parts of island travel. However, if you find it difficult to talk to the islanders yourself, try visiting Neko Poke House. Neko Poke House is a place where Toyoji, who was born and raised in Ogijima, opens his home to tourists. Here, you can interact with not only Toyoji, but also foreign tourists, frequent Ogijima from Tokyo, fans of the game "Summer Pokets," and many others.
Ogijima is also known as an island full of cats. Many of the cats are cared for by everyone in the community, and all the cats are so friendly that cat lovers may lose track of time taking pictures and interacting with them. Be careful not to become so absorbed in interacting with the cats that you miss the return boat.