Sakushima: An Island of Contemporary Art

Take the best quirky photos, and embrace the slow life!

Mosaic scuplture on Sakushima Island (Photo: rachel teo)

rachel teo Sep 27, 2024 - 5 min read

Less than 30min away by ferry, the island is a quiet, sleepy town. Abundant in nature, and home to numerous contemporary art instillations, Sakushima is an excellent destination for a day trip. Explore, take in the peaceful scenery, the views of the ocean, and embrace the slow life.

A beach with purple sand on Sakushima Island

Sakushima used to be a bustling town in the Meiji period (1880’s), with its population thriving in the shipping and seafaring business. Many ancient artefacts from Japan’s earliest cultures (the Jomon and Yayoi) have been discovered on the island! As people gradually moved away to major cities over the years, today, it has a population of less than 300 people.

Contemporary art exhibitions and instillations came to the island in the late ‘90s to revitalise tourism. As many houses and shrines on the island are from the Taishō and Shōwa period, the island is a picture of new and old; a partnership of quaint and modern amongst the lush greenery that grows on the island year-round. A lot of the houses on the island are black – which comes from a tradition of coating houses in tar to protect them from the salty sea winds. The black houses are excellent backdrops for photography, and quirky signboards have been placed to accentuate its photogenic nature.

With little infrastructure on Sakushima (no konbini chains, supermarkets, and with minimal traffic lights), the best way to get around is by bicycle. There are many bicycle rental places after arriving at the Sakushima ferry terminal port. The island is easily to traverse, and trails take you along the coastline, through some (paved) forested areas, and through quaint neighbourhood areas. You might also be able to spot black hawks, herons, muskrats, and cats as you make your way around the island.

You can sometimes see muskrats swimming around the edges of the island

Famous contemporary art instillations such as the Ohirune House, East House, and the Kamome no Chushajyo (or, seagull parking lot), are regularly featured on social media sites like Instagram. Also, their beach with naturally purple sand is a curious phenomenon caused by the erosion of mussel shells over hundreds of years.

Kamome no Chushajyo (The Seagull Parking Lot)

Summer is the peak visiting season at Sakushima, so many cafés and restaurants will be open during this time! There are seafood restaurants and places with small bites and snacks, cold or ice-blended drinks, coffee, and soft-serve ice cream. However, if you’re visiting during the off-season, it might be better to pack some snacks of your own, just in case!

Sakushima Island is about 3 hours (one way) from Nagoya Station by public transport. Admission to the island is free, but there is a fee for the ferry to and from the island.

From Nagoya Station, catch the Meitetsu Toyohashi Line to Shin-Anjo Station. The Limited Express service can get you there in 25 mins (4 stops). Tap out, and transfer to the Meitetsu Nishio line, and get on the Local bound for Nishio. Alight at Nishio Station (22mins, 10 stops), and catch the Isshiki Bus Service bound for the Sakana Hiroba – Sakushima Ferry Terminal (一色さかな広場・佐久島行船のりば). Take the bus 20 stops to the Isshiki Sakana Hiroba Sakushima Ferry Terminal, which takes under 30 mins (depending on the local traffic).

The ferry costs 830yen for adults one-way, and tickets can be bought from a machine inside the ferry terminal. If you are going by car, parking is available onsite at the terminal. The schedules for the ferry departure and arrival times are available at the Sakushima Tourism website: https://sakushima.com/guide-top/access/.