Okayama to Inujima: Hoden Ferry, Times & Fares
From Okayama, Inujima is a short hop: the ferry from Hoden Port takes about 10 minutes and costs ¥600 for adults (¥300 for elementary school children), one way, since a fare revision on October 1, 2026.
The ferry operator, Akebono Maritime, publishes the fare on its own site. The Benesse Art Site access page still shows ¥400 and ¥200, which is out of date, so use the operator’s number. The catch is the calendar: Inujima’s art facilities are closed Tuesday to Thursday from March 1 to November 30, and closed every day from December 1 to the end of February. Checked on 5 November 2026.
The Ferry
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Hoden – Inujima |
| Operator | Akebono Maritime |
| Time | about 10 minutes |
| Fare | Adult ¥600, child (elementary school) ¥300, one way |
| Payment | Cash only, paid at Hoden for both directions |
| Infants | Free with one paying adult |
| Phone | 086-947-0912 |
Timetable
| Direction | Departures |
|---|---|
| Hoden → Inujima | 06:40, 08:00, 11:00, 13:00, 13:45, 15:15, 17:00, 18:30 |
| Inujima → Hoden | 06:55, 08:20, 11:15, 13:20, 14:00, 15:35, 17:15, 18:45 |
- Last boat back: 18:45 from Inujima (arrives Hoden 18:55) on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays the last boat back is 17:15 (arrives 17:25).
- Hoden 18:30 does not run on Sundays.
- Hoden 15:15 and Inujima 15:35 are suspended every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from March 1 to November 30, except holidays, according to the operator’s notices.
The timetable is the same on the operator’s site and on Benesse Art Site’s access page, which labels it as of 2026. Check the operator’s news page on the day for any changes.
From Okayama Station to Hoden
Benesse Art Site lists an “Inujima Extra bus” from Okayama Station to the Hoden bus stop, with a PDF timetable. We could not read that PDF, so the bus fare, duration, departure times and operating days are not verified here. Open the official PDF before you plan. From the Hoden bus stop to Hoden Port is about 5 minutes on foot.
Tickets and Hours
One ticket covers the Seirensho Art Museum and the Art House Project: ¥2,100 online or ¥2,300 on-site, free for children 15 and under. The museum opens 9:00–16:30 (last admission 16:00). See our Inujima ticket guide.
Pairing Inujima with Naoshima
Shikoku Kisen runs Miyanoura – Ieura – Inujima in about 55 minutes (¥2,450 adult), with Miyanoura departures at 09:20, 12:10 and 14:50. The ferry does not stop at an island whose art museum is closed that day, so this route only works when both islands are open. See How to Visit Inujima from Naoshima.
Finding Naoshima Note: Plan backward from the last boat. On Sundays the last sailing from Inujima leaves at 17:15, more than an hour earlier than on other days. Bring cash for the ferry, since the operator takes cash only.
A Simple Day Plan
- Take the Hoden ferry in the morning (08:00 or 11:00 suit the museum’s 9:00 opening, depending on your bus).
- Buy your ticket at the Inujima Ticket Center (open 9:00–17:00) and visit on foot. Inujima has no vehicle transport for visitors, according to the official access page.
- Aim for a boat back that leaves a buffer after the museum’s 16:00 last admission.
For Naoshima, see the Okayama to Naoshima guide and the winter closures guide.
Fare, times and notices checked on Akebono Maritime’s site and the official Benesse Art Site pages on 5 November 2026.