Can I donate or take books from the library?

Yes. Visitors can donate books to the collection. The library operates as a collaborative project where contributions from visitors and residents continuously expand the holdings.

What else can I see on Ogijima during my visit?

The island has multiple art installations from the Setouchi Triennale, a notable cat population, and traditional narrow streets. The island has fewer than 200 residents and can be explored on foot in a few hours.

How big is Ogijima island and how long does it take to explore?

Ogijima is one of the smaller inhabited islands in the Seto Inland Sea with a population of fewer than 200 residents. The island can be explored on foot in approximately 2-3 hours, depending on your pace and how many art installations you visit.

Are there other facilities or services on Ogijima?

Ogijima has basic facilities including a port, small shops, and cafes, though options are limited due to the island's size and small population. Visitors should bring essentials like water and plan meals in advance, particularly outside festival periods when some establishments may have irregular hours.

Is Ogijima Library wheelchair accessible?

No. The library's hillside location and Ogijima's steep, narrow pathways make wheelchair access difficult. The building is a converted government structure without modern accessibility features.

Kagawa

Ogijima Library

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Last updated Mar 10, 2026

Ogijima Library is a distinctive community library located on Ogijima, a small island in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. The library was established as part of the Setouchi Triennale art festival in 2013, transforming a former government building into a cultural space that blends contemporary art with traditional island life. Designed by architects Toshiyuki Osumi and TEAM ONDO, the library features over 200 books donated by visitors and residents, creating an evolving collection that reflects the island's connection to the wider world.

The library serves as both a functional reading space and an art installation, embodying the Setouchi Triennale's mission to revitalize Japan's depopulating islands through creative engagement. Its walls are adorned with text in multiple languages, representing the diverse origins of donated books. The intimate space encourages visitors to contribute their own books, making it a collaborative project that continues to grow. The library has become a symbol of Ogijima's cultural renaissance and its openness to international exchange.

Visitors can browse the collection, leave books, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while taking in views of the surrounding island landscape. The library's compact size reflects Ogijima's character as one of the Seto Inland Sea's smaller inhabited islands, with a population of fewer than 200 residents. Many visitors combine their library visit with exploring the island's narrow streets, cat population, and other art installations scattered throughout the community.

Ogijima is accessible by ferry from Takamatsu Port on Shikoku, with regular departures taking approximately 40 minutes. Ferries dock at Ogijima's small port, from which the library is reachable on foot through the island's hillside pathways. The library offers free admission and welcomes visitors during daylight hours.

Website

ogijima-library.or.jp