[Seto Inland Sea] Welcome to the soothing scenery of the beautiful waters of the Seto Inland Sea and its many islands!

Gold-Guide is a guide matching platform operated by JR West Communications Co., Ltd., which matches tourists visiting Japan with highly skilled interpreter guides and provides guided tours. In this article, Gold-Guide, which has a track record of guiding tours in various areas of Japan, will introduce you to some of the beautiful islands in the Seto Inland Sea that you should visit at least once.

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• Table of Contents
• Shodoshima
• Naoshima, the island of art
• Teshima
• Inujima
• Okunoshima Rabbit Island
• Manabe Island (Kasaoka Islands)
• Ikuchi Island

Shodoshima

The first island we will introduce is Shodoshima . It is located in the center of Setonaikai National Park and is the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. The island's coast is a ria type, with a beautiful curve on the southern coast. Salt has been produced here since ancient times, and because it is located at a strategic point in the Seto Inland Sea, fishing and shipbuilding industries were also thriving. It later shifted to producing soy sauce, which, along with somen noodles, stone materials, and olives, supports the island's economy.

Recommended sightseeing spots

Let's take a look at some of the famous tourist spots.

1. Angel Road : A sand road that appears when the tides go in and out. (Check the appearance times in advance.)

②Olive Park : Approximately 2,000 olive trees, a source of pride for Shodoshima, are grown within the park.

3) Kankakei : It is said to be one of the three most beautiful valleys in Japan and has been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide!

4. Hishio no Sato : A very quaint area lined with soy sauce factories.

⑤ Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village: This is the filming location for the Japanese movie released in 1987. It recreates a nostalgic Showa-era village.

How to get around the island

There are various ways to get around the island, including renting a car, cycling, taking the bus, and walking, but since it takes about three hours to go around the island by car and it is hilly, we recommend renting a car if you want to see the whole island!

access

Of all the islands we're introducing, Shodoshima has the most accessibility . There are various ways to get there from Kansai, Okayama, and Shikoku, so be sure to check the ferry times as well.

Naoshima, the island of art

Naoshima is a pioneer of art islands that is now so popular both domestically and internationally that it needs no introduction. This year, the Setouchi Triennale , which is held once every three years, is being held in three seasons, making the island more lively than usual. Be sure to check the information on accommodation and access on the island in advance!

Recommended museums and art works *Closed on Mondays so check in advance!

1. Chichu Art Museum : Established in 2004 as a place to think about the relationship between nature and humans. Most of the building is underground so as not to spoil the scenery, and works by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and others are displayed in a building designed by Tadao Ando.

②Art House Project : Based in the Motomura district, vacant houses scattered around the area are renovated and artists are turning the spaces themselves into works of art, incorporating the time and memories of when people lived there.

3. Benesse House Museum : Designed by Tadao Ando as a facility combining an art museum and a hotel with the concept of "the symbiosis of nature, architecture, and art," it opened in 1992. Built on a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, the building's large openings allow the island's nature into the building, making it well worth a visit.

④ New Naoshima Art Museum : This is the 10th art facility designed by Tadao Ando at Benesse Art Site Naoshima. The three-story museum, which has two basement floors and one above ground, exhibits and collects masterpieces and commissioned works by artists from Asia, including Japan.

There are many other artworks on the island, so please find your favorite one. Reservations are required for the above museums and some of the Art House Projects. Tickets can be purchased online in advance for places that do not require reservations, so be sure to check this out in advance.

How to get around the island

We recommend using the bus to get around the island. Although it does have some ups and downs, cycling is also a good way to take your time sightseeing! However, there have been an increasing number of injuries, so if you are not confident, please be careful! If you are short on time, you can also rent a car, but be careful as there are not many cars on the island!

access

The most common way to get there is from Unoko in Okayama Prefecture. There are many ferry times, so it's very convenient. You can also get there from Kagawa in Shikoku. Please choose the route that best suits your travel style.

Teshima

The next most famous island after Naoshima is Teshima . Many people travel to this island by ferry from Naoshima or Takamatsu in Kagawa. The museum on Naoshima is closed on Mondays, but the museum here on Teshima is open. It is a smaller island than Naoshima. There are also only a few restaurants, so be sure to check in advance!

Recommended museums and artworks

① Teshima Art Museum : A work by artist Rei Naito and architect Ryue Nishizawa. In collaboration with local residents, they regenerated abandoned rice terraces into a vast area, where a building shaped like a drop of water was installed.

② Teshima Yokoo House : This work was created by artist Tadanori Yokoo and architect Yuko Nagayama, renovating an old house in the Ieura district, a village facing the port that serves as the gateway to Teshima. The exhibition space is made up of a main house, a storehouse, and a barn, making use of the layout of the existing buildings, and displays 11 two-dimensional works.

3) Heartbeat Archive : This is a small museum that permanently preserves the heartbeats of people from all over the world that Christian Boltanski has collected, and where you can listen to these heartbeats.

④There are no winners─Multi-Basketball: This is a work by Iovett & Pons, and it has six basketball goals on one board. You can enjoy playing basketball in your own way.

There are some museums that require reservations , so be sure to check in advance! (It's the same site as Naoshima.)

How to get around the island

It's easy to get around the island by bus, but the ferry is often so crowded that you can't get on. The best way to explore is by cycling. However, there are hills where it's easy to pick up speed, so be careful.

access

There are several ways to get from Naoshima to Teshima, or from Kagawa to Teshima, or from Shodoshima to Teshima, but the number of ferries is limited. If you don't check the timetable in advance, it can be a hassle!

Inujima

Inujima , located in the Seto Inland Sea, is a small remote island with a circumference of 3.6 km and a nighttime population of around 30 people. It once flourished as an economic center, prospering through quarrying and copper smelting. It is currently undergoing a revitalization effort as an island of contemporary art.

Recommended sightseeing spots

1. Inujima Smelter Museum : This museum preserves and regenerates the remains of the copper smelter that remains on Inujima. The museum was built based on the concept of "making use of what exists and creating what does not exist," and features architecture by Hiroshi Sambuichi that does not burden the environment by using existing chimneys and karami bricks, and natural energy such as solar and geothermal heat, as well as works by Yukinori Yanagi that are based on the motif of Yukio Mishima, who sounded the alarm against Japan's modernization, and an advanced water purification system that uses the power of plants.

*Please note the closing days! You can also purchase tickets online ! (The same website as Naoshima)

②Art House Project : A gallery for planning exhibitions was opened in the village of Inujima in 2010 with the hope of "allowing people to feel the beautiful scenery in their daily lives and the familiar nature that unfolds beyond the artworks." *No reservation required

How to get around the island

Inujima is a small island with a circumference of 3.6 km, so you can walk around it in about an hour. It is relatively quiet compared to Naoshima and Teshima, so you can enjoy sightseeing at your own pace.

Okunoshima Rabbit Island

Although it is now known as Rabbit Island, the official name of the island is Okunoshima . This small island, about 4km in circumference, was called "the island that was erased from the map" during the war because a poison gas factory was located there. It is now designated as a national park and is known for being home to about 500 to 600 rabbits, and many tourists from both Japan and overseas visit the island in search of healing.

What to do on the island

When you arrive on the island by ferry, you will be greeted by rabbits. After saying hello to the rabbits, head to Kyuka Mura. It is the only accommodation on the island, and a shuttle bus leaves from the ferry terminal. You can also walk there in about 15 minutes, so choose the route that suits your mood. You can also encounter rabbits on the roads of Kyuka Mura. Kyuka Mura has restaurants, hot spring facilities, and more. Of course, there are rabbits too ☺ Bicycles are also available for rental, so grab a map and head out to explore the island. Of course, you can also tour the island on foot! (You can walk around the island in about 70 minutes)

⚪︎Poison Gas Museum: During the war, the entire island came under the control of the army for the purpose of producing poison gas, which continued until 1945. The museum displays materials from that time, and tells the story of the poison gas manufacturing process and the fact that its use caused many casualties.

⚪︎Okunoshima Beach: A private beach just a 5-minute walk from the Kyuka Mura Okunoshima accommodations.

⚪︎Observation Deck: A wooden deck observation deck at the highest peak of Okunoshima. With a 360-degree view of the Seto Inland Sea, the blue of the sky and sea and the green of the islands will help you forget about your daily life. It's best to start climbing from the trailhead halfway between the campsite and the visitor center!

*Please read the Dos & Donts to take good care of your rabbit. Let's all work together to protect our cute rabbits.

access

We recommend using Tadanoumi Port to access Okunoshima. Also, rabbit food can only be purchased at the shop near Tadanoumi Port, so if you want to feed the rabbits, be careful!

Manabe Island (Kasaoka Islands)

Next to Rabbit Island is Cat Island. Manabe Island is about 18km from Kasaoka in Okayama Prefecture, and was the base of the Manabe Navy led by the Manabe clan in the mid-12th century. It is the largest island in the Kasaoka Islands in terms of the number of records, historical sites, and events that convey ancient history to the present day. The island retains the scenery of a Seto Inland Sea fishing village, with stone breakwaters, narrow alleys, and wooden houses.

What to do on the island

The attractive Kasaoka Islands are easily accessible from Okayama's tourist destinations such as Kurashiki (but be careful of ferry times!). On this island, you can take a leisurely stroll, play with the cats, and enjoy the nostalgic scenery of the coastline and narrow lanes lined with houses.

Manabe Junior High School: The wooden school building constructed in 1949 is still in use today. The nostalgic appearance of the old-fashioned school building is sure to make for great photos!

Manabe Residence and Hollyhock Tree: The Manabe family flourished as influential people on the island from the late 12th century. The main house is designated as a national registered cultural property. Under the eaves is a thick-trunked Hollyhock tree said to be 250 years old, a rare tree in the prefecture.

What are the Kasaoka Islands?

The Kasaoka Islands consist of 31 islands, large and small, including the Manabe Islands. Seven of the islands are inhabited, and the main industries are stonework, fishing, and tourism, each with its own unique characteristics. There are several islands in the Seto Inland Sea that are connected by bridges, but here, all of the islands are remote, and each island is a very relaxing and peaceful place. The characteristics of the Tomodachi Islands other than Manabe Island are as follows.

Takashima: It has flourished as a fortress on the Seto Inland Sea route since ancient times, and is said to have been mentioned in the Kojiki. Quarrying and shipping are thriving here, and during the azalea season you can see the azaleas that the islanders have carefully cultivated blooming in large numbers.

Shiraishi Island: It is famous for the Shiraishi Dance, a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural asset. It is a very rare Bon Odori dance in Japan, with dancers of various styles moving in a circle around a singer and drummer. There are also many swimming beaches where you can enjoy marine sports.

Kitagishima: The largest island in the Kasaoka Islands, it prospered through the mining and processing of granite and is considered one of the three most famous stones in the Seto Inland Sea. The stone walls of Osaka Castle and Meiji Shrine were also used on this island. The island is also famous for the Nagashi Hina festival, a ritual to ward off evil spirits for women. This event was held all over the country, but it is said to have almost disappeared today.

* Tobishima: Otobishima and Kotobishima are collectively called Tobishima. It is said to be the island of tides and camellias, as the area around here is a key transportation point in the Seto Inland Sea, and it is thought that ships used to wait here for the tides to change as the tides flowed together near Oshima. In addition, a sandbar once stretched from Otobishima to Kotobishima, and it was also said to be a bridge connecting the two islands. Unfortunately, it is rarely seen these days. In February and March, about 300 camellia trees welcome visitors.

Muto: The southernmost island in Okayama Prefecture, it borders a strait with fast currents and is an important route for large passenger ships crossing the Seto Inland Sea. This island was the first in Okayama to have a lighthouse installed to safely protect this route. The hydrangeas planted by the islanders around the lighthouse and on the island bloom with pretty flowers from January to February, attracting tourists.

access

Ferries to the islands of the Kasaoka Islands, including Manabe Island, are limited in number, so be sure to check in advance before planning your visit. The ferry terminal is a 7-minute walk from JR Kasaoka Station.

Ikuchi Island

Ikuchi Island, located in the Shimanami Kaido, a famous cycling mecca, is popular as an island of gourmet food and art. It is said to be the birthplace of domestic lemons, and is also known as the "Lemon Island" because it has the largest lemon shipping volume in Japan. In addition, the entire island is treated as an art museum, with sculptures on display outdoors to match the beautiful scenery.

What to do on the island

You can cycle around the island in about three hours. Enjoy visiting the tourist spots while taking in the stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea and beaches.

- Island Art Museum : 17 artworks created by artists inspired by the landscape are scattered across the island.

〇Kosanji Temple : Although it has a name that sounds like a Buddhist temple, it is a tourist attraction with a religious theme. This facility was built in 1936 modeled after famous shrines all over Japan, and is loved as a mother's temple where people put their hands together in prayer to express their gratitude to all mothers in the world.

〇 Hirayama Ikuo Museum : Hirayama Ikuo, a well-known figure in Japanese painting, was born on Ikuchijima. His works from his early years to his later years are on display in an easy-to-understand manner.

access

There are various ways to get there, including by boat, bus, bicycle, etc. Find out which method of access suits your physical condition and mood.

Ikuchijima has four ferry terminals, allowing access from Honshu, Shikoku, and other areas. The main ports are ① Onomichi Port and ② Mihara Port from Honshu, and Imabari Port from Shikoku. Travel times vary, so be sure to check in advance before planning your trip!