Beautiful Islands of Setouchi. Let’s Visit Them All!

“Setouchi Triennale” is a big festival that is held once every three years on the islands of Setouchi. The Autumn Period (September 29 – November 6) will soon start. Serving as a venue, each island has lots to see not only during the festival but also other times. Here we will introduce attractive aspects of the 11 islands.

the Seto Inland Sea

Tips for making your trip to the islands more enjoyable!
The best part of staying at the Setouchi islands with their abundant nature is that you can thoroughly relax there. On the other hand, more than a few islands are not ready to serve as a tourist destination, especially in the off-season, when you may not be able to find any restaurants for tourists.
So, make sure to check some websites, such as those of tourist associations for respective islands, to get information in advance.

Shodoshima Island

Michi no Eki (Roadside station) “Shodoshima Olive Park”

Shodoshima Island is full of picturesque scenery. It is known as the birthplace of Japanese olives and also famous for somen noodle production and soy sauce brewing for more than 400 years.

Michi no Eki (Roadside station) “Shodoshima Olive Park”

Located on top of the hill looking down upon the Seto Inland Sea, this park has about 2,000 olive trees. The whole location set for “Gu Choki Pan Bakery” in the live action film “Kiki’s Delivery Service” has been transferred to this park.

Let’s take a photo of you riding on a magic broom!

There are many spots perfect for Instagrammable photos in the park!

Business hours: 8:30 ~ 17:00
Open everyday
Access: about 25 min. by bus from Tonosho Port
Address: 1941-1 Kabuto, Nishimura, Shodoshima-cho, Shozu County, Kagawa
https://www.olive-pk.jp/en/index.html

Hishio no Sato

This area has many pre-modern buildings of soy sauce brewers lined up together. Surrounded by the nice aroma of soy sauce, you can enjoy strolling through the historical townscape.

Hishio no Sato

Address: Umaki – Noma, Shodoshima-cho, Shozu County, Kagawa
https://shodoshima-or-jp.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja

Teshima Island

This island has many art spots, including art museums and artistic works that fuse nature and art. It is also known as an island with abundant foodstuffs and ingredients, so it is a perfect place to eat delicious local dishes rich in nutrition.

Teshima Island

Teshima Island

Awashima Island

The must-see place for Awashima Island with its quiet and peaceful atmosphere is the “Missing Post Office.” It is one of the art projects created during the Setouchi Triennale in 2013. This post office receives and displays cards and letters from all over the world to people unable to receive them, such as those addressed to the deceased or to one’s future self.

Missing Post Office

Missing Post Office

Hours: 13:00-16:00 on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. It may be changed during the Setouchi Triennale.
Please check the website for the latest information.
Access: 5 min. walk from Awashima Port
Address: 1317-2 Awashima, Takuma-cho, Mitoyo City, Kagawa
https://www.mitoyo-kanko.com/eng/

Naoshima Island

Naoshima, one of the islands in the Seto Inland Sea, is renowned for a number of modern art works. The architecture, art museums, and objets d’art can be seen here and there on the island, fascinating art fans.

Naoshima Island

Megijima Island

Since the mysterious huge cave was discovered on this small island, it has been called an island where a mythical ogre named “oni” lives. You can see motifs of oni here and there on the island. As it takes only about 20 minutes by ferry from Takamatsu Port, the beaches and camping sites are crowded with tourists in summer.

Oni no Todai Light House

Ogijima Island

The row of old folk houses and stone walls on the steep slope creates a nostalgic streetscape. A cart called “omba” is an essential item for life on the island. At present, there are various designs for omba available. Enjoy strolling around the island while looking for cute omba.

Ogijima Island

Honjima Island

This island used to serve as a base for the “Shiwaku Suigun,” a group of sailors who were known for their excellent boat building and ship handling skills in the past. Enjoy strolling in “Kasashima Preserved District of Historical Streetscape,” which was selected as one of the national “Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings.”

Honjima Island Kasashima Preserved District of Historical Streetscape

Honjima Island Kasashima Preserved District of Historical Streetscape

Inujima Island

This is the only inhabited outlying island of Okayama City, which can be accessed in about 10 minutes by boat from the mainland. It is known as a stone producer, whose stones were used for the stone walls of Okayama and Osaka castles. On this island, various artistic works, including stone art, can be found here and there.

Inujima Island

Oshima Island

Due to the Setouchi Triennale, this island became open to general tourists. Nearly the whole island is used for the National Sanatorium Oshima Seishoen, a place for Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) or ex-Hansen’s patients.

Oshima Island

Ibukijima Island

As one of the biggest producers of “iriko,” dried baby sardines, which are essential for the soup of “Sanuki udon” noodles, this island has many iriko processing plants.

Ibukijima Island

Ibukijima Island

Takamijima Island

The landscape with the stone walls, slopes, and alley ways makes you feel somehow nostalgic. The island was used for a shooting location for some famous movies, such as “Otoko wa Tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man) .”

Takamijima Island

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The information herein is as of August 2022
Writer
Minami
Born in Aichi Prefecture, my name is Minami and watching theater is my passion. Having studied abroad in France and the UK, I worked at a travel agency after graduation, which sparked my love of travel both in Japan and abroad! In particular, I enjoy travel related to art galleries, seasonal flowers, or the settings of stories. Whether manga, anime, or 2.5D musicals, please leave it to me!

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