Enjoy the scenery of Seto Inland Sea! Take a bus from JR Uno Station to Kojima

Take the bus bound for Ojigatake trailhead from JR Uno Station

I took a bus that runs along the scenic "Marine Road" that connects Tamano City and Kurashiki City , and headed for Kojima in Kurashiki City from JR Uno Station. Since I was crossing the city, I had to change buses along the way, but I was a little worried about whether I would be able to make the transfer. I got on the bus because I wanted to take my time looking at the Seto Inland Sea.

[Ryobi Bus]

JR Uno Station - Ojigatake Trailhead Bus (Ojigatake Line/JR Uno Station, Bus Stop 3)

*Please check the latest timetable for connections to the bus bound for Kojima(there is one direct bus only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)

Ryobi Bus (Ojigatake Line)

The big rock at Tamahime Shrine

At 6:45 in the morning, the bus departed from JR Uno Station and passed through the Tamano Tunnel, and an announcement was made saying, "Next stop: Tamahime Shrine." In the window on the right side of the bus, I could see a rock bigger than the bus. This is the sacred rock of the shrine that enshrines Princess Otohime from the legend of Urashima Taro. It is located very close to the bus stop.

[Tamahime Shrine]

Address: 5-1-17 Tama , Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture (Get off at Tamahime Shrine bus stop, about 1 minute walk)

Tamahime Shrine

The tall chimney of Hibi Smelter

After passing the large site and cranes of Mitsui Shipbuilding (now Mitsui E&S), we came across a beautiful church building (Tamano Covenant Church) in the Wada area. As we went up and down the hills, the greenery increased and we could see a brown chimney ahead on the left. We were surprised to see a smelter (Hibi Smelting) here.

View of the Seto Inland Sea from Shibukawa Beach

Just after 7:05, as we passed the Shibukawa bus stop, the Seto Inland Sea came into view. The sky and the beach are both spacious. It is a luxurious experience to have this view spread out outside the window. There are many facilities where you can enjoy the sea, such as the Shibukawa Marine Aquarium and Marine Hotel.

[Shibukawa Beach]

Address: 2-5 Shibukawa , Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture (Get off at Shibukawa bus stop, about 5 minutes walk)

Shibukawa Beach (Shibukawa Coast)

I spotted an island that looked like a big rice ball. Otsuchi Island was floating on the horizon. Its calmness and colors were truly representative of the Seto Inland Sea.

Oji Marine Road 430

We passed a road called "Oji Marine Road 430," with the water's edge right next to the bus. National Route 430 is said to be the closest coastline between Honshu and Shikoku in the Seto Inland Sea. Fishermen, parasols, and white clouds are visible. Fishing boats and tankers travel between the islands.

Transfer at Ojigatake trailhead bus stop

At 7:08, we arrived at the trailhead of Ojigadake. This is the bus stop where you can see only the sea and the sky. Here, the buses from Tamano City(Ryobi Bus) and Kurashiki City(Shimoden Bus) connect. I was interested in how the transfer actually works, so I got off the bus, blending in with the other passengers.

"Bus turntable" where two buses turn around

Two buses rotated around a small shrub! Passengers just had to stand where they got off while the next bus came along. I was excited by this unusual sight.

The journey from Ojigadake Tozanguchi bus stop to JR Kojima Station. When you enter Kurashiki City halfway, you will transfer to a Shimotsui Electric Railway (Shimoden) bus. The seats of this bus are covered with white covers and the windows have cloth curtains. The slightly old-fashioned interior is one of the charms unique to local routes.

Approaching the Great Seto Bridge

As we entered Kurashiki City, we began to see many large stones along the coastline. Beyond the stone embankment, we could see the Great Seto Bridge, which connects Okayama Prefecture and Kagawa Prefecture. A panoramic view of the crystal clear water and the Seto Inland Sea spreads out before us.

Passing through the town of Karakoto and saying goodbye to the seascape

We passed Karakoto Coast. We said goodbye to the ocean view as we took in the sights of Takada Textiles with tatami-edged borders, Ishiharu Udon, and the charming townscape of Karakoto. We looked back many times, burning the Seto Inland Sea Sea into our eyes.

Tanokuchi Port Bizen Pottery Guardian Dog

At 7:20, just before the Tanokuchihama bus stop, as we sadly bid farewell to the ocean view, we spotted a pair of Bizen Pottery-yaki lion statues standing with Tanokuchi Port in the background. The sight from the high vantage point of the bus was very impressive. On the mountain side, we could also see a large torii gate that was previously in the sea. Apparently, this was the southern approach to Mount Yuka (Yuka Shrine, Rendaiji Temple) when visiting Konpira.

[Tanokuchi Port]

Location: Kojima , Kurashiki City , Okayama Prefecture (Get off at Tanokuchihama bus stop, about 1 minute walk)

Tanokuchi Port Great Torii

Access to Jeans Street

At 7:23, from the Tanokuchioka bus stop, the number of textile-related companies and factories that make buttons, fabrics, uniforms, etc. started to increase. This was a typical sight in Kojima , the mecca of domestic Denim and a textile town. To get to Jeans Street, a popular tourist spot, go past Taisho Bridge and get off in front of the Kojima Civic Center.

[Kojima Civic Communication Center]

Address: 2-2-38 Kojimaajino, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL:086-474-8550

Opening hours: 9:00-22:00

Closed: New Year's holiday (Get off at Kojima Civic Center, approx. 1 minute walk)

Kojima Tourist Guide Association

The final stop of the bus trip is JR Kojima Station

We arrived at JR Kojima Station at 7:40 and our bus trip came to an end. The journey took about 55 minutes, including a transfer at the Ojigadake trailhead. We were able to get a glimpse of the daily life of local people, something that can only be experienced on a weekday morning. The kind words from the driver were also memorable. Spending time in the beautiful and tranquil Seto Inland Sea left us with a heartwarming feeling.

[Shimoden Bus]

JR Kojima Station - Ojigatake Trailhead Bus (Ojigatake Line/JR Kojima Stop No. 4)

*Please check the latest timetable for connections to the bus bound for JR Uno Station (there is one direct bus only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)