We observe in Momotaro’s footsteps with a go to to Onigashima.
Within the Seto Inland Sea you’ll discover an island named Megijima. This island additionally has one other identify, although: Onigashima, or “Demon Island.”
This isn’t a mocking, slanderous nickname the island has been saddled with, both. As a matter of reality, Megijima absolutely embraces its alternate identify, even going as far as to prominently show it on information maps and different tourism data paperwork.
That’s due to its connection to the story of Momotaro. One among Japan’s most beloved folktales, Momotaro is the story of a boy who emerged from a peach and have become a robust and courageous swordsman. With the individuals of the area struggling underneath the tyranny of a band of oni (ogre-like demons), the legend says that Momotaro traveled to Onigashima to defeat the monsters in their very own stronghold, bringing peace to the area.
As with many legends, the precise particulars that led to its creation have been misplaced to time, however Megijima, which is formally a part of the town of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, is believed by many to be the Onigashima of Momotaro’s story, and so we got down to hint Momotaro’s footsteps/boat rides and go to the demon island, and its demon cave.
Megijima has fewer than 200 full-time residents, however the island is well accessible from the port of Takamatsu, the biggest metropolis in Kagawa. The ferry terminal is a five-minute stroll from Takamatsu Station, and from there it’s 20 minutes by ferry to Megijima, with departures roughly each two hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., plus a closing ferry at 6:10 p.m. Boats operating the opposite means, from Megijima to Takamatsu, additionally go away each two hours between 7:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. A round-trip ticket prices 740 yen (US$5), and tickets go on sale on the Takamtasu port half-hour earlier than ferries depart.
We had been blessed with sunny climate and glowing seas as we set out, and alongside the best way we had been handled to views of different islands that dot the Seto Inland Sea.
As soon as we had been on Megijima, we had to determine get to the Nice Onigashima Cave, or Onigashima Daidokutsu, because it’s known as in Japanese. It’s attainable to stroll there from the port, because it’s solely about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) from the place you get off the boat.
Nevertheless, you’ll be strolling up a winding mountain street, so the a lot simpler method to get to the cave is to take the bus, which you should purchase tickets for within the Onigashima Oni no Kan customer heart, which is hooked up to the port constructing.
▼ The bus ticket counter and timetable. It’s a 10-miute journey to the cave, and a round-trip tickets prices 800 yen.
Climbing larger into the hills, we finally arrived on the Onigashima Daidokutsu bus cease, the place some surprisingly cute oni had been current to greet us.
However simply because we arrived by bus didn’t imply there wasn’t any strolling to do, for the reason that entrance to the cave is up a steep flight of stone stairs.
Alongside the best way had been extra oni, with much less cherubic appearances.
▼ You’ll know you’re getting shut if you see this signal for Onigashima Daidokutsu (鬼ヶ島大洞窟)
Entrance to the cave prices 600 yen for adults, and as an extra check of your resolve, you’ll must crouch all the way down to make your means inside, because the ceiling could be very low on the entrance.
There’s room to face up straight when you get additional in although, and likewise extra oni.
Truthfully, there are a complete bunch of oni contained in the cave…
…and a human they’ve taken hostage, who’s additionally fairly scary-looking in her personal proper.
So clearly the statuary is supposed to depict the situations earlier than Momotaro got here in and cleaned home/cave, and in reality, the Peach Boy himself reveals up too.
Additionally contained in the cave is a memorial area for victims of the oni’s cruelty…
…and Oni no Ko Kawara, an art work set up consisting of oni-shaped clay tiles created by native junior excessive college students.
As you’ve in all probability picked up on by now, it’s type of a grey space as as to if the oni of the Momotaro legend are handled as legitimately scary tormentors who should be slain, or cartoonishly mischievous troublemakers who sometimes must be sternly reminded to behave properly.
▼ As an alternative of stabbing this oni within the intestine, Momotaro appears to have come to a extra diplomatic decision of their battle.
As we ventured additional inward, we noticed a lightweight in the back of the stone tunnels…
…which led us again to the floor world, on the bottom to the cave.
That is truly the beginning of the trail to the Washigamine Commentary deck, however once more, it’s not a straightforward stroll.
However hey, if Momotaro may tackle a complete tribe of oni, then we may deal with a bit extra strolling, we supposed. Our dedication was rewarded, too, when a few minute later we reached the deck…
…and took within the lovely, panoramic view.
So we’ve acquired to say, Demon Island is definitely fairly beautiful, and yet one more nice motive to go to the Seto Inland Sea throughout your travels in Japan.
Associated: Onigashima Tourism Group official web site
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