PORT INFORMATION

Stroll through Inujima’s charming village, where traditional wooden houses stand against a backdrop of the beautiful Seto Inland Sea.

Inujima is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea of Okayama Prefecture, known for its rich industrial history and artistic transformation. Once thriving in the stone and smelting industries, the island later faced decline, only to be reborn as a hub for contemporary art.

Inujima was famous for its high-quality granite, which was actively quarried and processed from the Edo period (1603–1868) to the Meiji period (1868–1912).

The island’s stone was used for the restoration of Osaka Castle and the construction of Okayama Castle, as well as for port developments throughout the Seto Inland Sea.

In 1909, Mitsubishi established the Inujima Copper Refinery, which processed imported copper ore to produce high-purity copper.
By the late 20th century, Inujima had become largely depopulated, leaving behind industrial ruins. However, in the 2000s, efforts were made to revitalize the island through art.

The Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, a former copper refinery site was turned into a contemporary art space. The museum, designed by renowned architect Hiroshi Sambuichi, integrates industrial ruins with eco-friendly architecture, creating a surreal atmosphere where the past and present coexist.

For art lovers, Inujima is also part of the Benesse Art Site Naoshima, which includes nearby islands like Naoshima and Teshima, famous for their contemporary art scenes.