Shikoku’s very own slice of the Mediterranean
The second-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海), Shōdoshima (小豆島) is renowned for its Mediterranean atmosphere replete with olive groves, beautiful beaches, and relaxing resorts. The island is part of Shikoku’s (四国) Kagawa Prefecture (香川県) and offers a perfect destination for enjoying a range of natural sceneries, from jagged mountainous terrain to stunning coastal shores. It even affords an ideal climate for growing lemons and olives, the latter not typically found in other regions of Japan. And with an easily accessible location just hours from Kagawa Prefecture, Okayama Prefecture (岡山県), and Osaka Prefecture (大阪府), it makes for the perfect escape when looking for a restorative island getaway.
An ephemeral path to love
One of Shodoshima’s most iconic sites is undoubtedly its romantic Angel Road (エンジェルロード). This 500m sandbar appears just twice a day at low tide, leaving only a brief window for visitors to walk to the islet on the opposite side. A popular destination for couples, the path is said to deliver eternal love to those who walk its length holding hands the entire time. Located just a 10-minute bus ride away from Tonosho Port (土庄港), Angel Road is the perfect start to any exploration of the fascinating island of Shodoshima.
Angel Road (エンジェルロード)
Address: Ginpaura, Tonosho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa 761-4661
Access: 10-minute bus ride from Tonosho Port Tourist Center
One of the three most beautiful gorges in Japan
Situated in the centre of the island, Kankakei Gorge (寒霞渓) has been selected as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gorges. Connected from top to bottom by a ropeway as well as two hiking trails, this ravine offers incredible views of Shōdoshima and the surrounding Seto Inland Sea from above. Kankakei Gorge is a particularly popular spot for viewing autumn leaves in November when the mountainsides are set alight in bright hues of orange, yellow, and red. Indeed, there are few better ways to take in all that is Shōdoshima than a visit to the top of the gorge for a spectacular panoramic view of the island below.
Kankakei Ropeway (寒霞渓ロープウェイ)
Address: 327-1, Otsu, Kankake-dori, Shodoshima-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa 761-4433
Access: 45-minute via local sightseeing bus from in front of Tonosho Port Tourist Center
The perfect climate for olives
Shōdoshima’s Mediterranean climate made it a perfect spot for Japan’s first attempt at olive production over one hundred years ago. Today, the rich lineage of this agricultural tradition can be experienced firsthand at Shōdoshima’s Olive Park (小豆島オリーブ公園). Here, you will find an actual operating olive grove as well as a small museum introducing the history of olive production on the island. Enjoy walking along the paths that line the grove, while taking in a replica of a Greek windmill located onsite. As you wander through the park with olive trees by your side and the sea in the distance, you may just forget you are in Japan at all.
Shodoshima Olive Park (小豆島オリーブ公園)
Address: 1941-1, Nishimura-kou, Shodoshima-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa 761-4434
Access: 5-minute walk from “Olive Koen Guchi” bus stop via local bus (15 minutes from Ikeda Port)
Getting there
From Osaka Station (大阪駅), take the Tōkaidō-Sanyō Line (東海道山陽線) and get off at JR Sannomiya Station (三ノ宮駅). From JR Sannomiya Station, walk around 15 minutes to Kobe Sannomiya Ferry Terminal (神戸三宮フェリーターミナル). At Kobe Sannomiya Ferry Terminal, you can board a Jumbo Ferry bound for Shōdoshima’s Sakate Port (坂手港 Sakate-kō). The journey from Kobe to Shōdoshima takes around three hours. Alternatively, there are ferry services to Tonosho Port from the ports of Shin-Okayama and Uno in Okayama Prefecture, as well as to Ikeda Port (池田港) from Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture. Once in Shōdoshima, the easiest way to get around is by rental car. Public transportation by bus is available but limited.
Header image credit: photoAC
