Inujima

Inujima
Native name:
犬島
Island with forests, lakes, buildings, and quays
Aerial photo of Inujima, circa 1980
Interactive map of Inujima
Administration
Japan
Higashi-ku, Okayama, Okayama Prefecture
Demographics
Population47 (2017)

Inujima (犬島; [inɯdʑima], lit. "Dog Island") is a Japanese island in the Seto Inland Sea, located near the coast of Okayama Prefecture. It is part of Higashi-ku, Okayama.

As of the 2020 national census, Inujima has a population of 36.

Access from mainland

A ferry service operates between Hōden and Inujima.Additionally, a high-speed boat connects Inujima to Naoshima via Teshima.

Industrial heritage

A copper refinery was opened on the island in 1909, but this closed in 1919. The remaining brick ruins have been designated as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, serving as valuable historical evidence of Japan’s modernization. Over the years, the site also served as a filming location for various television dramas and movies.

From 2008, the site formed the centerpiece of "the Inujima Art Project," which aims to preserve the ruins and revitalize the island. Since 2010, when the museum served as a venue for the Setouchi Triennale produced by Fram Kitagawa, Inujima has also gained recognition as an island of contemporary art.

Inujima Art Project

Ruined buildings in front of a chimney which is slowly being consumed by vines
Remains of the refinery in 2011

[[:ja:犬島アートプロジェクト|The Inujima Art Project (犬島アートプロジェクト)]] refers to an art initiative developed on the island of Inujima in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, as a project of Benesse Corporation. The project was realized and promoted through the financial backing of the Fukutake Foundation (formerly the Naoshima Fukutake Art Museum Foundation), after former chairman Soichiro Fukutake endorsed the concept initially proposed by contemporary artist Yukinori Yanagi. The "Inujima Seirensho Art Museum" opened in April 2008 as the first phase of the project, followed by the "Art House Project" and other developments in the second phase.

The first phase of the project, the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, turned the old seirensho copper refinery into a model of contemporary architecture and art to revitalise Japanese industrial heritage. Originated in 1995 from the vision of contemporary artist Yukinori Yanagi, the project was developed in coordination with architect Hiroshi Sambuichi and local residents from 2006. Centered on the concept of "reclamation," the museum transforms the refinery ruins into a space powered by contemporary art and natural energy, transmitting a message of "reclaim the past and transmigrate it into the future." The museum houses permanent, site-specific installations by Yanagi that are integrated directly into the architectural space. The museum reuses elements of the refinery and the former house of Yukio Mishima, a Nobel-nominated writer known for his vocal dissent of Japan's modernization.

In 2010, as the second phase, the Inujima Art House Project, gallery spaces were opened within the local community of Inujima under the concept of allowing visitors to experience "beautiful landscapes of everyday life and the familiar natural environments that extend beyond the artworks." Curated by artistic director Yuko Hasegawa with architect Kazuyo Sejima, the project features five galleries, started with "F-Art House," "S-Art House," and "I-Art House," followed by the addition of "A-Art House" and "C-Art House" in 2013, along with the "Former site of a stone-cutter's house. While featuring works solely by Yukinori Yanagi, the galleries have also exhibited works by multiple artists, including Kohei Nawa and Haruka Kojin.

Population data

The population of the island has changed over the years as follows.

YearPopulationNumber of households
18228018
186211022
19191,200240
19351,500280
1945982241
19511,350242
1955843220
1960629189
1969750190
1975353133
198422493
199113070
199611559
20017949
20027045
20057244
20174735

Film locations

References

  1. ↑ 区内の住所一覧あ行 [Ward Address List] (in Japanese). Japan: City of Okayama. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  2. ↑ "犬島の振興". 岡山市 (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 October 2026.
  3. ↑ 運航ダイヤ [Ferry service] (in Japanese). Japan: Nikkan Kaiji Tsushin Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 28 January 1999. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  4. ↑ "How to get to Inujima｜Inujima information site". Benesse Art Site Naoshima. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 犬島の歴史 [The History of Inujima] (in Japanese). Japan: City of Okayama. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  6. ↑ "How to get to Inujima｜Inujima information site". Benesse Art Site Naoshima. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
  7. ↑ 文博, 萩原 (1 May 2022). "西部警察ファンなら1度は行きたい、聖地巡礼スポット5：九州／岡山エリア【ドライブ】". clicccar.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 October 2026.
  8. ↑ "Inujima Island". Japan: japan-guide.com. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  9. ↑ "瀬戸内国際芸術祭とは". 瀬戸内国際芸術祭 (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 October 2026.
  10. 1 2 Simms, James. "Japanese Tycoon Soichiro Fukutake Masters The Art Of The Turnaround". Forbes. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  11. ↑ Yuko Ikehata, Ryoji Kasahara, Yoko Hemmi, ed. (17 October 2017). Inujima Seirensho Art Museum Handbook. Fukutake Foundation. p. 8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  12. ↑ "Following Ando to the Inland Sea | 2015-06-26 | Architectural Record". www.architecturalrecord.com. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  13. ↑ Yanagi Yukinori Inujima Note. Miyake Fine Art, Ltd. 2010-8-17. p. 44. ISBN 978-4-9903847-2-2. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ↑ "Inujima "Art House Project" | Art". Benesse Art Site Naoshima. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
  15. ↑ Yanagi Yukinori Inujima Note. Miyake Fine Art, Ltd. 2010-8-17. pp. 76–93. ISBN 978-4-9903847-2-2. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

34°33′45″N 134°05′59″E / 34.56250°N 134.09972°E / 34.56250; 134.09972