When most people imagine Aichi Prefecture, they often think of Toyota or of an industrial heartland not unlike that of the Midwestern United States. What a lot of people are not aware of is that it is also home to some islands that feel like they are worlds away from such surroundings.
One of those islands is Sakushima. Located in Mikawa Bay, Sakushima is actually part of Nishio, a small city about one hour south of Nagoya by Meitetsu train. Like many rural areas of Japan, it has lost a lot of its population over the years, and the population as of 2005 was only 315 people. In an effort to get people to visit the island and keep its culture alive, the island has been transformed into a living art gallery of sorts. The strategy seems to be working; even on a November weekday there was a steady stream of visitors coming in from the mainland of Honshu.
While many visitors go to the ferry terminal by car, getting to Sakushima by public transportation is doable. For example, visitors can leave Meitetsu Nagoya station at 7:16 a.m. and arrive at Nishio station. From there you take a bus from to the Isshiki Sakana Ichiba (Isshiki Fish Market, 500 yen), which takes you right to the ferry terminal building – a brand-new structure that opened last year. Tickets from the ferry terminal to Sakushima cost either 800 yen one-way or 1600 yen round-trip. Timing the bus trip might be a little challenging, as there are only four buses every day between Nishio station and the ferry terminal. However, thanks to a recent visit by Aichi Prefecture governor Hideaki Omura, the island has been increasing in popularity as a tourist destination.
Aside from various sculptures and works of art around the island, the main appeal to the place is the calm and quiet. Rental bicycles are available at a small cafe near the eastern dock (300 yen/hour or 1000 yen for a day) and they allow you to explore most of the island in a short amount of time. Some of the highlights are the ocean views of Mikawa Bay and the other two inhabited islands in the bay – Himakajima and Shinojima.
Getting around the island is not a problem, as there are signs all over the place directing you where to go. Free maps are easy to find and clearly show all of the places of interest on the island. For visitors coming during the summer, there are several beaches throughout the island and lots of places to hold BBQ parties.
It will be interesting to see what happens to Sakushima in the years to come, but it looks like this island has done a good job in making a name for itself. Even for people who aren’t particularly interested in art (including the author of this article), the place is great escape and a great destination for a one-day trip!
What: One of the three biggest inhabited islands in Aichi Prefecture
How: Public Transport (Meitetsu to Nishio Station, Bus to Isshiki Sakana Ichiba, Ferry to Sakushima)
Cost: 2070 yen one-way from Meitetsu Nagoya station
For more information (in Japanese): http://www.japan-net.ne.jp/~benten/
