Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village (Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura) Travel Guide
Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura (Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village) is a sightseeing facility on the Tanoura Peninsula in Shōdoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture, where you can experience the world of the film "Twenty-Four Eyes."
On a roughly 10,000-square-meter site by the sea, wooden schoolhouses, fishermen's homes, teahouses, souvenir shops, and a cinema stand side by side, letting you spend time as if you've stepped into a village of the Taishō and early Shōwa periods.
Because you can enjoy Shōdoshima's nature and film culture all at once, it's an easy spot to explore even for travelers unfamiliar with this classic work.
Enjoy It Like Walking Through a Film Set
Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura is a facility built around the open-air location set used for the film.
As you walk and tour the interiors of the buildings, you can feel the atmosphere of an old Japanese school and village even without having seen the movie.
The Seaside Scenery Is Also a Highlight
The facility faces the Seto Inland Sea, letting you gaze at the sea beyond the wooden schoolhouses and old-fashioned townscape.
On sunny days the light is soft, making it ideal for a leisurely walk while taking photos.
Easy to Add to a First-Time Shōdoshima Trip
Opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and it is listed as open year-round.
Admission is 900 to 1,000 yen for adults and 450 to 500 yen for elementary school children, varying by period.
A typical visit takes about 60 minutes, but if you want to enjoy photography, a meal, and shopping, allowing one to two hours gives you some breathing room.
The Connection Between the Film "Twenty-Four Eyes" and Shōdoshima
"Twenty-Four Eyes" is a work based on a novel by Sakae Tsuboi, and is one of the important cultural themes when talking about Shōdoshima.
Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura has not only buildings that recreate the film's world but also exhibits related to the original author.
Even if you don't know the work, you can walk through while sensing the teacher and children, island life, and the wartime backdrop.
The Original Is a Novel by Sakae Tsuboi
Sakae Tsuboi was an author from Shōdoshima, known as the original writer of "Twenty-Four Eyes."
Within the village is the Sakae Tsuboi Literature Museum, where you can learn about the author's life and works along with the film's world.
The Story Is Not Based on True Events
"Twenty-Four Eyes" was written as a novel and is not a true story.
It becomes easier to understand if you enjoy it as a world of literature and film inspired by Shōdoshima's scenery and the spirit of the era, rather than a "record of real people."
Deepen Your Understanding with the Cape Branch School
About 700 meters before the movie village stands the former Nōma Elementary School Tanoura Branch, open to the public as the Cape Branch School (Misaki no Bunkyōjō).
By comparing the atmosphere of the wooden schoolhouses, you can sense the connection between the film's world and actual school architecture.
Things to See at Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village
Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura is a place where you do more than just look at buildings; you sense old ways of life and film culture as you stop at each spot.
You can walk it even in a short time, but if you want to enjoy the exhibits and photography, deciding which spots to see makes it easier to get around.
| Spot | Highlight | How to enjoy it |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden schoolhouse | Classroom atmosphere | Feel an old school |
| Tsuboi Literature Museum | The author's world | Learn the backstory |
| Shōchikuza Cinema | Film culture | Connect with the work |
| Kinema no Iori | Shōwa townscape | Retro stroll |
| Seaside street | Seto Inland Sea views | Photography |
Feel an Old School at the Wooden Schoolhouse
One of the buildings that symbolizes the movie village is the wooden schoolhouse overlooking the sea.
Looking at the classroom desks, chairs, and blackboard makes it easy to imagine school life in old Japan.
Learn the Backstory at the Sakae Tsuboi Literature Museum
At the Sakae Tsuboi Literature Museum, you can understand "Twenty-Four Eyes" more deeply through exhibits about the original author's life and works.
Even travelers unfamiliar with film or literature can find clues as to why this work is talked about in connection with Shōdoshima.
Soak Up the Film Atmosphere at the Shōchikuza Cinema
The village has the Shōchikuza Cinema, where you can experience the film culture surrounding "Twenty-Four Eyes."
Stopping by the cinema after walking the outdoor set makes it easier to connect the building's atmosphere with the film's world.
Enjoy Shōwa Retro at Kinema no Iori
At Kinema no Iori, you can enjoy a gallery of 1950s Japanese films and a space with a nostalgic atmosphere.
The colorful signs and the texture of the buildings are also great for those who want to take Shōwa-retro photos.
Entrance Fee, Opening Hours, and Facility Info Before Visiting
Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura is a facility where you spend much of your time walking outdoors, but it also has exhibition spaces, shops, and dining areas.
Balancing your outdoor stroll and indoor touring to suit the weather and your companions makes for a more comfortable visit.
| Item | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9:00–17:00 | Check before entering |
| Closed days | Open year-round | Watch for facility closures |
| Admission | Adults 900–1,000 yen | Varies by period |
| Elementary | 450–500 yen | Varies by period |
| Combo ticket | Shared with Cape Branch School | Choose by purpose |
Admission Varies by Period
Admission to Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura is set at 900 yen, 1,000 yen, or 850 yen for adults and 450 yen, 500 yen, or 430 yen for elementary school children, depending on the period.
If you tour together with the Cape Branch School, choosing the combo ticket makes the purpose of your travel clearer.
Check Accessibility and Luggage Storage
The movie village offers wheelchair rentals, and although there are no coin lockers, there is a luggage storage service.
However, since parts of the grounds are outdoors or retain the atmosphere of old buildings, if you have concerns about moving around, tour within a comfortable range.
You Can Also Dine and Take a Break
The village has cafés and dining areas where you can rest in the middle of your tour.
You may bring your own lunch, but you'll need to take your trash with you.
How to Get to Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village and Get Around
Because Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura is on the Tanoura Peninsula of Shōdoshima, it's important to plan your means of getting around the island in advance.
Since Shōdoshima is an island you reach by ferry, your itinerary will change based on how you combine buses, cars, taxis, and seasonal boat services once you arrive.
A Car or Taxi Makes Getting Around Easier
If you plan to sightsee at several spots on Shōdoshima, using a car or taxi makes getting around easier.
The movie village has a free parking lot, so it's an easy facility to include in a rental car trip.
Checking Timetables Is Key for Public Transport
If you use the bus, your length of stay will change depending on frequency and connections.
Checking your return service first makes it easier to adjust your time for exhibits and meals.
A Seasonal Boat Service Is Available
In some seasons, you can take a boat service from Olive Navi Pier to Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura, a one-way trip of about 10 minutes.
The boat service is affected by weather and operating conditions, so if you plan to use it, check the operating days and times before planning.
Photography and Etiquette
Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura is a place that makes you want to take photos, with its Shōwa-retro buildings, wooden schoolhouses, and seaside scenery.
However, it's important to shoot with consideration for the exhibits and other visitors.
| Situation | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden schoolhouse | Capture the whole classroom | Don't touch exhibits too much |
| Seaside | Frame the buildings and sea | Watch your footing |
| Shōwa-retro street | Use signs as a backdrop | Don't block the way |
| Near the cinema | Enjoy the exterior | Check in-venue signs |
| Dining areas | Photograph the food | Don't capture others too much |
Be Considerate When People Appear in Your Shots
At sightseeing facilities, other visitors may appear in your photos.
If you're publishing a photo where someone's face appears prominently, be mindful of the angle and timing of your shot.
Handle the Exhibits with Care
The schoolhouses and exhibits are important elements that convey the atmosphere of the past.
Distinguish between places to sit and places to view as exhibits, and tour according to the signs.
Check the Conditions for Bringing Pets
Pets are allowed at the movie village, but entry into buildings may be restricted.
If you visit with a dog, use a leash or a carrier bag and be mindful of your distance from other visitors.
Summary | Enjoying Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura Comfortably
Nijūshi no Hitomi Eigamura is a sightseeing facility on the coast of Shōdoshima where you can enjoy the world of the film "Twenty-Four Eyes," Shōwa-retro buildings, and the literary backdrop all at once.
Checking the opening hours, admission, combo ticket, and seasonal boat operating days before you visit makes getting around and touring on the day smoother.
Even if you don't know the work, walking the wooden schoolhouses and seaside townscape lets you feel the quiet time that is so characteristic of Shōdoshima.
Treat the exhibits with care and be considerate of other visitors as you slowly savor the world of literature and film.
