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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Inujima
Spend a half‑day to a full day on Inujima for the art museum and beach; no overnight stay needed unless camping.
Inujima is a tiny island (133 acres) with an art museum in a former copper refinery, a small beach and a campground. It is reachable by train, bus and ferry from Okayama and can be explored on foot in a few hours. One day covers the main sights; overnight is optional for camping.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Jun–Aug for beach swimming; Apr–May for art festivals
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (limited ferry service, cold weather)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Train Okayama → Saidaiji | ¥240 |
| Bus Saidaiji → Nishi Hoden | ¥510 |
| Ferry to Inujima | ¥300 |
| Inujima Art Museum entry (incl. Art House) | ¥2,060 |
| Campground night | ¥1,020 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- OKJ · Okayama Airport
- Bus to Saidaiji Station, then ferry to Inujima
Typical fares
- Okayama → Saidaiji train
- ¥240, about 20 min (check)
- Saidaiji → Nishi Hoden bus
- ¥510, about 55 min (check)
- Ferry to Inujima
- ¥300, about 10 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The island is pedestrian only; follow the free island map at the port. Shoes recommended for uneven paths.
See and do
Known for
- Inujima Seirensho Art Museum
- Inujima Art House Project
- Swimming beach
- Campground
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Naoshima | Ferry from Inujima (≈55 min, ¥1,850) | ≈1 h 15 min total |
| Okayama City | Ferry to port, then bus/train back (≈1 h 30 min total) | ≈1 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Inujima Campground
- Camping site with equipment rental; ¥1,020 per night
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry schedules vary seasonally; check the latest times before travel.
- No shops on the island; bring food and water.
- Camping facilities are basic; bring your own gear.
Inujima is low‑risk; main concerns are seasonal ferry cuts and lack of services, so bring supplies and check schedules.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Inujima yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Inujima Seirensho Art Museum
- Inujima Art House Project
- Swimming beach
- Campground
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Transport to Inujima: benesse-artsite.jp/island/inujima/access/
- Wikivoyage: Inujima, revision 5239135 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239135
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/inujima). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.