On a cold and windy day, the only resident I saw, apart from the couple running the restaurant I stopped at for lunch, was a man on a small motorbike. The handful of other people pottering about all arrived and left on the same ferry as me.
With a population of only 150 or so, the lack of visible life probably isn’t all that surprising. Even more so considering I was only there for a couple of hours or so. Still, exploring Ogijima’s sole settlement said a lot, as many of the houses were empty, with more than a few of them in a pretty bad state to say the least. Elements that made the island feel like a microcosm in many ways of the demographic challenges Japan is facing.
That said, while the number of inhabitants has dropped considerably — it was around 300 at the turn of the century — there are efforts to reverse that trend, or at the very least halt it, with 1 in 3 residents now migrants. A shift that may well just save the island, along with its continued involvement in the Setouchi Triennale art festival. But on a wintery day when the only noticeable activity was at the ferry port, it was hard not to think about the island’s past rather than its potential future.
YesterdaysHero says
Melancholy but also beautiful. Great documentary work as always, Lee.
Lee says
Thank you very much. It was a truly fascinating couple of hours.
cdilla says
That looks a very nice location to walk around. Those roof tiles are wonderful and you have some great views over them.
That conical island you caught on a couple of photos caught my eye. Ozuchi Island I think. Interesting in it’s own right.
I was looking at Osaki-Shimozima that is the location basis for the anime “A Letter to Momo” a while back and thought it looked a nice peaceful place to spend some time. An altogether larger affair though
Lee says
It really was. Wish I’d timed it better and could have stayed a bit longer, but I pretty much saw all I hoped to. And yeah, the roof tiles and various views over them were lovely. Also, despite being very cold and windy, the light was really nice.
Paul says
A melancholic but beautiful series of photographs.
In the first one, I noticed an old swing that had once brought fun and joy to some children. I don’t know why, but it touched me.
Thank you Lee.
Lee says
Thanks a lot and you are very welcome. It was a truly fascinating island to explore and photograph.
I know what you mean about the swing. I felt the same. Kind of summed up the whole place.