Go to Shodoshima with Jumbo Ferry! A Recommended 2-Day, 1-Night Sightseeing Route

Board the Jumbo Ferry "Aoi" to Shodoshima!

 Japan has countless sightseeingdestinations, but Shodoshima in Kagawa Prefecture is one of the most charming.Blessed with a mild climate, lush nature, and stunning scenery of both sea andmountains, the island captivates all who visit. From family trips to romanticgetaways and solo adventures, Shodoshima fits every travel style.

 This time, we’ll depart from Kobe SannomiyaFerry Terminal on the Jumbo Ferry bound for Shodoshima. Join us on a two-day,one-night journey as we explore the island’s highlights together!

 Once you arrive at Kobe Sannomiya Ferry Terminal,purchase your ticket at the first-floor counter. You can also make areservation in advance online. For more details, check the official Jumbo Ferrywebsite.Official Website: [Japanese] [English]

 For directions from Kobe Sannomiya stations to the ferry terminal, please see this article.

The “Aoi,” departing at 8:15 AM, enteredservice in 2022. It offers a variety of premium seating options, along withunique onboard facilities such as a panorama bath, a foot bath, and localgourmet dishes. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Seto Inland Sea as youtravel in comfort toward Shodoshima!

Getting around the island is easiest bycar, but the local “Shodoshima Olive Bus” and rental cars also provide smoothtransportation from Sakate Port. If you’d like to enjoy cycling, the share-bikesystem “HELLO CYCLING” offers rental stations across the island.

Upon arrival at Sakate Port, why not startwith lunch at “Morikuni (Shodoshima Distillery Café & Bar)”?

 Morikuni is Shodoshima’s only sake brewery,set inside a renovated 70-year-old tsukudani factory that exudes traditionalisland charm. You can purchase carefully crafted sake as souvenirs. Theirsignature ginjo sake “Fufufu.” is especially popular among women for itselegant aroma, refreshing taste, and charming label.

 At the café & bar, enjoy “Brewer’sLunch” featuring sake-lees dishes such as pickles and miso soup, or handmadesake-lees ice cream. In the separate bakery, try their wide variety of breadmade with sake rice.

 Yamaroku Soy Sauce is a long-standingbrewery that maintains traditional wooden barrel fermentation. You can explorethe moromi warehouse free of charge with no reservation required.
 At theattached café, indulge in soy sauce-flavored desserts or winter-only grilledmochi that highlight the natural aroma and flavor of this artisanal soy sauce. 

 Afterward, continue on to Shodoshima Olive Park.

Shodoshima Olive Park is the best place toenjoy the island’s famous olives. Wander among olive groves and the Greek-stylewindmill, or step inside the movie set bakery from Kiki’s Delivery Service.At the Olive Memorial Hall, shop for olive-based souvenirs, and enjoyrestaurants and cafés serving local flavors and sweets. 

After your stroll, head to your hotel “Olivean Shodoshima Yuhigaoka".

 This hotel has been selected among “Japan’sTop 100 Sunset Spots” and ranked 3rd nationwide for beautiful sunsets. Guestscan enjoy spacious sea-view rooms, dog-friendly accommodations with a large dogrun and agility course, and open-air baths with panoramic ocean views. Dinnerincludes fresh seafood, olive beef steak, sashimi, carpaccio, and seasonaldesserts in a lavish buffet.

Angel Road is a magical path of sand thatappears and disappears with the tides. Be sure to check the tide schedule inadvance—available on the Jumbo Ferry official website. 

Tide table: https://ferry.co.jp/tourism/tourism-132/

After enjoying the beautiful sea views, head inland to the terraced rice fields of Nakayama.

After relaxing at the hotel, head toNakayama Senmaida. Depending on the season, the scenery changes dramatically:mirrored paddies in early summer after flooding, or golden ears of rice inearly autumn. 

Once you’ve explored, stop for lunch at Komame Restaurant.

Komame Restaurant, located among theterraced fields, serves dishes that highlight Shodoshima’s bounty. From onigirisets made with local rice, to olive beef burgers and handmade seasonal sweets,every dish celebrates island flavors.

After your meal, head to Kankakei Gorge.

Ride the ropeway from the base to the summit and enjoy sweeping views of the sea, sky, and mountains of Shikoku.

At the top, try the traditional “kawarake-nagi” ritual by tossing clay dishes through a ring for good luck.

 Kankakei shows a different face eachseason—lush green in summer, fiery colors in autumn, and snow in winter.

 After soaking in the views, return to Sakate Port and board the 15:15 Jumbo Ferry “Aoi” back to Kobe.