The Onigashima Great Cave is one of the signature sightseeing spots on Megijima in Kagawa Prefecture. Known as the setting of the Momotaro legend, this cave often raises questions for first-time visitors: “I’ve arrived at Megijima Port, but how do I get there from here?” “Is there a bus?” “Can I walk there?”
This article breaks down how to get from Megijima Port to the Onigashima Great Cave using three methods — round-trip bus, rental bicycle, and on foot — covering timetables, fares, and travel time in detail. If you want to sightsee efficiently around the ferry schedule, read on to the end.
- What Is the Onigashima Great Cave? A Historic Cave Tied to the Momotaro Legend
- Three Ways to Get from Megijima Port to the Onigashima Great Cave
- Why the Round-Trip Bus Is Recommended
- Round-Trip Bus Fares
- Round-Trip Bus Timetable
- Rental Bicycles Are Also a Good Option for Touring the Island
- On Foot, for the Physically Confident
- Frequently Asked Questions About Access to the Onigashima Great Cave
- Summary: The Round-Trip Bus Is the Best Choice
What Is the Onigashima Great Cave? A Historic Cave Tied to the Momotaro Legend
The Onigashima Great Cave is said to be the model for the ogres’ lair in the Japanese folktale “Momotaro.” The cave itself is believed to have been formed around 100 BCE, making it a historic site with an extremely long past.
It became known in its present form during the Taisho era. It was discovered in 1914 by local resident Sentaro Hashimoto, and opened to the public ten years later under the name “Onigashima” (Ogre Island). Inside the cave are chambers said to have once housed the ogres, along with displays and materials related to the Momotaro legend, letting visitors experience a sense of cave exploration while stepping into the world of the legend.
Megijima is also known by the alternate name “Onigashima,” making it a must-visit spot for anyone who enjoys island travel and historical exploration in the Seto Inland Sea.
Three Ways to Get from Megijima Port to the Onigashima Great Cave
There are three main ways to travel from Megijima Port to the Onigashima Great Cave:
| Method | Travel Time | Fare (one-way) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-trip bus | About 10–15 min | Adult ¥700 / Child ¥300 | Easy and reliable, connects with ferry arrivals |
| Rental bicycle (electric) | About 15–20 min | ¥1,800 (unlimited use) | Freedom to tour the island |
| On foot | About 40 min | Free | Requires stamina, but you can enjoy the scenery |
Let’s look at each option in more detail.
The round-trip bus is the top recommendation — an easy way to reach the cave even on mountain roads
To cut to the conclusion: the round-trip bus is by far the best way to get to the Onigashima Great Cave.
Why the Round-Trip Bus Is Recommended
The Onigashima Great Cave sits atop a fairly high hill, about 2.5 km from Megijima Port. Walking there isn’t impossible, but it means climbing a steady uphill slope for around 40 minutes straight, which takes more out of you than you might expect.
By the time you reach the cave, you may be drenched in sweat and too exhausted to fully enjoy exploring it — or any other sightseeing you had planned afterward. This is especially a concern in summer, when there’s also a risk of heatstroke.
The round-trip bus, on the other hand, gets you to the cave entrance at the top of the hill in just 10–15 minutes, letting you conserve your energy for sightseeing. It’s especially recommended for those who want to make the most of their time, as well as travelers with young children or elderly family members.
Round-Trip Bus Fares
Bus tickets are sold at “Onino Yakata,” located right in front of Megijima Port.
- Adult: ¥1,000 round-trip (¥700 one-way)
- Child: ¥500 round-trip (¥300 one-way)
Even if you forget to buy a ticket in advance, you can still purchase one on board the bus. That said, buying it at Onino Yakata beforehand helps you skip the line and board more smoothly.
Round-Trip Bus Timetable
The bus schedule is coordinated with ferry arrival and departure times at Megijima Port, so you can transfer smoothly right after getting off the ferry.
| Onino Yakata → Cave | Cave → Onino Yakata | Ferry Departure Time |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 | 8:40 | 9:20 (to Takamatsu) |
| 9:25 | 9:40 | 10:20 (to Ogijima) |
| 10:25 | 10:40 | 11:20 (to Takamatsu) |
| 11:25 | 11:40 | 12:20 (to Ogijima) |
| 12:25 | 12:40 | 13:20 (to Takamatsu) |
| 13:25 | 13:40 | 14:20 (to Ogijima) |
| 14:25 | 14:40 | 15:20 (to Takamatsu) |
| 15:25 | 15:40 | 16:20 (to Ogijima) |
| 16:25 | 17:00 | 17:20 (to Takamatsu) |
Note: The timetable is subject to change, so please check the latest information locally or through official sources before your visit.
Because the bus schedule is built backward from each ferry’s departure time, there’s little risk of “spending too long at the cave and missing the ferry” — a reassuring point for travelers. That said, exploring the cave can sometimes take longer than expected, so it’s still a good idea to build some buffer into your schedule.
Rental Bicycles Are Also a Good Option for Touring the Island
For those who want to take their time exploring all of Megijima — not just the Onigashima Great Cave — a rental bicycle is another great option. Onino Yakata offers two types of bicycles for rent:
- Electric bicycle: ¥1,800
- Standard city bike (“mamachari”): ¥600
If you’re heading to the Onigashima Great Cave, be sure to choose the electric bicycle. As mentioned above, the road to the cave is a steady uphill climb, which is quite tough to pedal on a standard city bike. An electric bike’s motor assist makes even the uphill sections relatively manageable.
Traveling by bicycle lets you enjoy the scenery at your own pace, making it a great choice for photography enthusiasts or anyone who wants to sightsee freely without being tied to the bus schedule.
On Foot, for the Physically Confident
If you’d rather not spend any money, or you want a good workout, walking is also an option.
- Distance: About 2.5 km
- Travel time: About 40 minutes (uphill)
- Fare: Free
However, the entire route is uphill, so the walk there alone will take a real toll on your stamina. If you choose to walk, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring something to drink, and plan a schedule with plenty of time and energy to spare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Access to the Onigashima Great Cave
Q. Is the bus stop close to Megijima Port? A. The bus stop is near Onino Yakata, right in front of Megijima Port. You can head there immediately after getting off the ferry.
Q. Do I need to reserve a bus ticket in advance? A. No reservation is needed. You can buy a ticket at the Onino Yakata counter on the day, or on board the bus.
Q. Do I need to reserve a rental bicycle? A. Since the number of bicycles is limited, it’s a good idea to rent one early in the day during busy or peak seasons.
Q. How long does it take to explore the cave? A. The cave itself isn’t very large, so a visit typically takes around 20–30 minutes. If you’d like to take your time with the displays, it’s worth allowing a bit more time.
Summary: The Round-Trip Bus Is the Best Choice
In this article, we introduced three ways to get from Megijima Port to the Onigashima Great Cave.
- Round-trip bus: Easy and reliable, connects well with the ferry schedule — the top recommendation
- Rental bicycle (electric): Best for those who want to freely tour the island
- On foot: Best for those who want to save money and are confident in their stamina
Since the Onigashima Great Cave sits atop a hill with a steady uphill climb, the round-trip bus is the best option for anyone who wants to conserve energy for the rest of their sightseeing. Because the bus schedule is built around ferry departure times, there’s little worry about missing your ferry, making it a reassuring choice. Tickets are sold at Onino Yakata for ¥1,000 round-trip (adult).
Come see the setting of the Momotaro legend for yourself.
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