[Saku-shima, Aichi] Recommended Day Trip Plan 

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​Saku-shima is a remote island in Aichi  that can be reached on a day trip from Nagoya.

The circumference of the island is about 11.5km. It is a small remote island that can be explored on foot in about half a day. There are 22 permanent exhibitions of art works on the island, and it is also known as an "art island" that you can easily visit.

This time, we will introduce plenty of "recommended day trip plans" where you can fully enjoy the charm of Saku-shima.

What kind of island is Saku-shima?

Saku-shima is located almost in the middle of Mikawa Bay. The distance from Isshiki Port to Saku-shima West Port is 9.4km. It takes about 20 minutes by high-speed boat. The circumference is 11.5km, the area is 173ha, and the entire area is included in the Mikawawan Quasi-National Park. There are no supermarkets or convenience stores, and there are no traffic lights. Surrounded by the calm sea and rich nature, time flows slowly.

Since 1996, various events have been held under the theme of "festival and art" to revitalize the island. Today, many tourists come to visit as an “art island” that is easily accessible.

Saku-shima has a long history, and fragments of Jomon period pottery have been found in the stone wall stratum. It is also an island with a rich history, such as shell mounds from the Yayoi period, more than 40 ancient burial mounds, and a 400-year-old Bon Odori dance. Recently, it became a stage for the movie "Cat and Grandpa" and attracted a lot of attention.

How to get to Saku-shima

To get to Saku-shima, you need to take a high-speed boat from Isshiki Port in Nishio City.

・By car
If you go by car from Nagoya, it takes about 1 hour via Chitahanto Road. Isshiki Port has about 1,000 free parking lots.

・By train
If you go by train from Nagoya, go to Nishio Station on the Meitetsu Nishio Line. About 30 minutes by Meitetsu bus from there. Buses depart according to the time of the high-speed boat. Please note that if you use the bus on your way back, you will need to board the 17:15 boat from Saku-shima Higashi (east) Port.

▼Click here for a detailed route map and timetable
https://sakushima.com/guide-top/access

It takes about 20 minutes by high-speed boat from Isshiki Port, so if you drive from Nagoya, it takes at least an hour and a half. It is a remote island that is easy to visit even on a day trip!

Recommended day trip plan for Saku-shima

This time we actually went to Saku-shima! We will introduce plans that you can enjoy on a day trip, from art spots to specialty gourmet and recommended cafes.

Boarding is about 20 minutes! From Isshiki Port to Saku-shima by high-speed boat

Buy a ticket at the ticket office and board the ship. (Adult: one-way ¥830 Child: one-way ¥420) There are only 7 commute per day, so be careful not to miss the train.

Just by getting on the boat, you can experience the extraordinary and get excited.

We arrived at Saku-shima West Port in about 20 minutes!

Today is the perfect day for a walk. There were many people enjoying fishing.

"Saku-shima Art Picnic" 24 works
Challenge to conquer all!

"It's an art island, so let's enjoy art to the fullest," so we decided to try to conquer all the artworks at Saku-shima Art Picnic!

▼What is Saku-shima Art Picnic?
A stamp rally around 24 permanent exhibitions scattered around Saku-shima. You can tour around the islands with the stamp sheets that are distributed free of charge at the east and west ferry ports and the Benten Salon.

We recommend renting a bicycle to conquer all the stamp rally!

“Rental Bicycle Ai Land” is located near both Higashi Port and Nishi Port. You can return it at any store!

The area of the island is 173ha, about three times that of Tokyo Disneyland. From West Port to East Port, it takes about 30 minutes on foot. If you want to enjoy a leisurely stroll, walking is fine, but I want to conquer all the stamp rally! In that case, we recommend renting a bicycle.

This time, I rented a bicycle at "Rental Bicycle Ai Land". The fee is 300 yen for 1 hour, 500 yen for 2 hours, 800 yen for 3 hours, and 1,000 yen for 1 day.

[Rental Bicycle Ai Land]
https://sakushima.com/omise_oyado/%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AB%E8%87%AA%E8%BB%A2%E8%BB %8A%E3%80%80%E9%81%8A%E3%80%85-2

Let's get started!

First of all, let's go around the art works of Nishiko!

This building is right in front of you when you arrive at Nishiko Port. Actually, this place is also an art spot! When you go up the stairs to the second floor...

This is a work called "Waiting Room Renovation of Saiko Ferry Terminal", a waiting room renovated by MIURA LAB, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Meijo University. The old and dark waiting room has been remodeled with bright white and shell-dyed purple. Maps and stamp sheets of the island were placed.

A stamp is placed near the art work like this. It's exciting to press a stamp, isn't it?

There is an art work on the left side as soon as you leave the waiting room!

Peeping box "Treasure Ship Sachikaze" by Toru Matsuoka. If you look into the hole, you will have a visual experience of Saku-shima in the imaginary world superimposed on the actual landscape. There are four peep boxes on the island.

If you actually look into it...

A treasure chest has appeared! If you find a peep box, please try looking into it.

Next door is Toru Matsuoka's work, "Welcome to Saku-shima, the land is full of happiness."

A panel that allows you to show or close your face according to the number of people, and even hold a lucky sea bream. Let's take a commemorative photo!

Next, walk along the coast to Sounji Temple.

At the end of the stairs is Sounji, where Takahito Kimura's work, Gulliver's Eyes, is on display. The concept is, "What kind of scenery will you see if you become a giant?"

Gaze parallel to the scenery in the big mirror reflected in the small mirror, without straining your eyes. This is actually difficult...

Please enjoy the giant's point of view!

To the nearby "Benten Salon". (Closed on Mondays *If Monday is a public holiday, it will be closed the next day)

It is a cultural facility that has been renovated from an old house, and it is a base for Saku-shima art, such as displaying the history of the island and holding workshops.

There is a peep box inside the Benten Salon! You can't help but peep.

What is displayed in the Benten Salon is Peska Nekono's work "Ail Lind in Saku-shima". This is a print work set in the actual scenery of Saku-shima. 6 items are displayed. It's a relaxing atmosphere.

By the way, at the Benten Salon, you can borrow the key to enter the Oba-tei, which you will visit later, so don't forget to apply if you want to see the inside as well!

[Benten Salon]
Address ：413 Sakushima Nishigawa, Isshiki-cho, Nishio, Aichi
Telephone number ：0563-78-2001
Business hours ：9:00-17:00
Closed ：Every Monday (if Monday is a national holiday, the first weekday after the holiday)

https://sakushima.com/guide-top/benten-salon

Let's climb the slope on the south side of Benten Salon and head towards Kurokabe Village!

To "Oba-tei" hidden in Kurokabe Village

The most impressive scenery of Saku-shima is Kurokabe Village, where black-walled private houses are lined up. It is also called the "Black Pearl of Mikawa Bay" and has been selected as one of the "100 Treasures of the Island". The slightly glossy black wall is made from coal tar, a substance that protects the bottom of the ship from salt damage.

The narrow alleys are intricate like a maze, so park your bicycle in the bicycle parking lot before proceeding.

In one corner of Kurokabe Village is Goro Hirata's work "Saku-shima Vacant House Plan / Oba-tei". A 100-year-old traditional house has been reborn as a work of art.

You can visit the garden freely, but you need to borrow a key from "Benten Salon" to enter the mansion. Enjoy unlocking the mansion that interests you...!

As you walk along the alleys of Kurokabe Village, you will come across a cute shrine.

"Yamatoya Kannon" by Toru Matsuoka. It is said that Kannon is an imaginary world that "watches over children on Saku-shima since long ago."

"Yamatoya Kannon" was previously displayed at the general store "Yamatoya" in the village, but it moved to this location in April 2020 due to the demolition of Yamatoya. A part of the Yamatoya building is reused for the shrine.

Next, let's aim for the "Ohirune House", a work of art that represents Saku-shima!

"Ohirune (Nap) House", a work of art representing Saku-shima

After passing through the winding road, there is something like a box on the coast.

This is the art work "Ohirune House" that represents Saku-shima.

This is a work by Yuki Minamikawa, created with the concept of "It would be nice to take a nap by the sea." The black color is based on the Kurokabe village that appeared earlier. By the way, in the 2010 movie "Detective Conan: Shipwreck in the Sky", Conan-kun and Kaitou Kid also came to visit!

It looks like this when you go inside. When you lie down and look at the sea, it's like a framed piece of art. As the name suggests, it was a comfortable space that made me want to take a nap.

It is so popular that people line up to take pictures on holidays, so we recommend going during the early hours! (This day was a weekday, so it was vacant)

This is the end of the Nishiko art tour. Ride a bicycle and aim for Higashi Port!

To the east of the island through Flower Road

To go to East (higashi) Port, go through the so-called "Flower Road". This is the main road with the most traffic on Saku-shima.

It takes about 30 minutes on foot from West Port to East Port.

Immediately, I found a peep box. (It should be familiar by now)

This time's work is "Non and Billy". Non and Billy are goats bought in Saku-shima. The idea is that the two cats will always be healthy and grow bigger and bigger. It's fun to see what kind of scenery it is!

We have collected quite a few stamps!

If you go a little further, you will see Toru Matsuoka's work "Kleingarten Welcome Space". Welcome space at the entrance of the hands-on agricultural facility "Kleingarten".

Mr. Matsuoka's works such as mosaic tile chairs and sundials are scattered around. The tiles are brightly colored and look great in photos!

Next, park your bicycle at the bicycle parking lot behind the "Kleingarten Welcome Space" and head to the work "Water in the Sky - Mountain" in the mountains. (We recommend walking on the mountain path.)

Climb the mountain road to Hakusansha

While worrying, "Is it really right here ...?"

As one of the islanders said, "There are a lot of insects in the mountains, so it's difficult, but please do your best." For those who say, don't forget to take insect repellent measures.

If you walk for about 10 minutes, you will see a shrine called “Hakusansha”, and after a while you will find Noe Aoki’s work “Sora no Mizu-Mountain”. It is a birdcage-shaped art work that combines iron rings.

It is a mysterious space where forest and art are integrated. I took a break on a nearby bench while looking at the works.

Now let's go back to Flower Road!

Enjoy cycling to East Port!

A little further on, we found Non and Billy! So cute!

This bench near Non and Billy's hut is also one of his works.

The "Suwarutoko Project" was created by MIURA LAB, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Technology, Meijo University. There are two other locations on the island, so please look for them.

Going further east, I came to a road along the coast. Cycling while looking at the beautiful sea is exceptional! It was the moment when I realized that I was glad I rented a bicycle.