Explore the Beauty and Culinary Quality of the Setouchi Islands
Located in the Seto Inland Sea, the idyllic island paradise of Shodoshima is an essential stop for anyone visiting in the region. The island has a lot to offer visiting tourists, bursting with natural beauty as well as cultural sights. The island allures travelers with its abundant natural beauty—from sandy beaches to breathtaking gorges—and masterpieces crafted by renowned artists from Japan and around the globe. Wander the winding streets of Tonosho—boasting nostalgic architectural themselves—to find an imaginative art installation of phantasmagoric alleys and cavernous spaces.
On Shodoshima, art wrought by Mother Nature is also on full display. Stop by Angel Road, where the ebbing tide reveals a glorious island-spanning path of glimmering golden sand. Then, head to the center of the island and Kankakei Gorge, where you can ride a ropeway offering spectacular vistas of the ravine, its view awarded a Michelin star and renowned as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gorges. Culinary history buffs and architecture enthusiasts are sure to enjoy a trip to Hishio no Sato (“Soy Sauce Village”), where one of Shodoshima’s signature products is produced to this day in traditional storehouses—about twenty in all on the island—some of which have stood since the late 19th century. Looking for a rest? Stop at Shodoshima Olive Park, and treat yourself to healthy and flavorful dishes prepared with locally-sourced olive oil in the pastoral setting of a hillside overlooking the sea.
On Shodoshima, art wrought by Mother Nature is also on full display. Stop by Angel Road, where the ebbing tide reveals a glorious island-spanning path of glimmering golden sand. Then, head to the center of the island and Kankakei Gorge, where you can ride a ropeway offering spectacular vistas of the ravine, its view awarded a Michelin star and renowned as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gorges. Culinary history buffs and architecture enthusiasts are sure to enjoy a trip to Hishio no Sato (“Soy Sauce Village”), where one of Shodoshima’s signature products is produced to this day in traditional storehouses—about twenty in all on the island—some of which have stood since the late 19th century. Looking for a rest? Stop at Shodoshima Olive Park, and treat yourself to healthy and flavorful dishes prepared with locally-sourced olive oil in the pastoral setting of a hillside overlooking the sea.