Enjoy a One Hour Ferry Ride to Beautiful Shodoshima in the Seto Inland Sea

Located in the Seto Inland Sea (Kagawa Prefecture) approximately 500 km from Tokyo and 100 km from Osaka, Shodoshima is a beautiful island with a harmonious blend of sea and mountains. It has a mild climate, boasting beautiful seasonal scenery and an abundance of sunny days. The island has developed a unique culture and history as a result of its unique geographical conditions.

Shodoshima is known for its soy sauce, somen noodles, sesame oil, and olives, and offers a wide variety of gourmet foods.

Cycling is a popular activity for enjoying the beautiful scenery while moving around the island, and bicycles are also available to rent. Climbing, which takes advantage of the island’s unique terrain, has also recently been gaining attention worldwide.

We recommend taking a ferry to beautiful Shodoshima, an island that brings its visitors great satisfaction and excitement.
＞＞Ferry to Shodoshima

■Kankakei Gorge

Visitors can enjoy unique rocks and stones created over a long period of time, rare plants and animals unique to Shodoshima, groups of wild Japanese macaques, and beautiful scenery in each of the four seasons: mountain cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter. Trekking through the gorge is a popular activity, and the spectacular views from the ropeway are another attraction.
[Access] (Get off at Kountei Bus Stop)
From Ikeda Port: Approx. 25 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus (Kankakei Gorge Express Line: Not in service at certain times of the year)
From Tonosho Port: Approx. 35 minutes by car or 1 hour by bus (including transfers; not in service at certain times of the year)

Kankakei

Kagawa Pref. Shouzugunshoudoshimachou Kankakedori

0879822171

[Ropeway Business Hours][3/2…

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■Kasaneiwa

Kasaneiwa, the sacred body of the Kose Ishizuchi Shrine, is located near the top of a mountain rising out of the sea. It is a mysterious sight, featuring large boulders stacked on top of each other in perfect balance that appear as if they could tumble into the sea at any moment. The area also offers a spectacular view of Teshima and other islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
[Access] (Get off at Kose Bus Stop)
From Ikeda Port: Approx. 20 minutes by car or 1 hour by bus and on foot (including transfers)
From Tonosho Port: Approx. 10 minutes by car or 25 minutes by bus and on foot

Kasaneiwa

Kagawa Shozu-gun Tonoshocho Kose

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■Nakayama Terraced Rice Field

In the Nakayama district located in the center of Shodoshima, around 800 rice paddies of various sizes are spread out along the side of a mountain, creating a terraced rice field that has been selected as one of the best 100 in Japan. Countryside traditions are still maintained to this day, including a traditional event known as “Mushi Okuri” that is held on the first Saturday of every July to pray for a good harvest by carrying torches throughout the terraced rice fields. Other traditions include Farmer’s Kabuki performances held in the Hitoyama district in May and the Nakayama district in October.
[Access] (Get off at Kasugajinja-mae Bus Stop)　
From Ikeda Port: Approx. 10 minutes by car or 15 minutes by bus
From Tonosho Port: Approx. 15 minutes by car or 25 minutes by bus

Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields, Nakayama

Kagawa Pref. Shouzugunshoudoshimachou Nakayama

[Best time to see]Late Apr.-…

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■Soy Sauce Making Tour

Shodoshima has a 400-year history of making soy sauce. Yamaroku Soy Sauce offers tours of its natural moromi brewing house, where visitors can learn how soy sauce is made and the secrets to making delicious soy sauce.
The “Yamaroku Chaya” (Tea House) is located near the brewery, and allows visitors to enjoy pudding, ice cream, and other desserts made from soy sauce.
[Access] (Get off at Yasuda Kami Bus Stop)
From Ikeda Port: Approx. 20 minutes by car or 35 minutes by bus and on foot
From Tonosho Port: Approx. 30 minutes by car or 50 minutes by bus and on foot

Yama-Roku Shoyu Co.

4.5

74 Reviews

Kagawa Pref. Shouzugunshoudoshimachou Yasuda Party A 1607

0879820666

9:00-17:00

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■MINORI GELATO

MINORI GELATO is a specialty gelato store that makes use of seasonal ingredients from Shodoshima. It is located about 15 minutes by car from Ikeda Port. Visitors can enjoy the abundant charm of each season in a variety of flavors that utilize fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables from Shodoshima.

MINORI GELATO

4.0

8 Reviews

Kagawa Shozu-gun Shodoshima Cho Kusakabehonmachi 1055-2

0879628181

12:00-18:00

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■Ryoshigoya Umagenamon

Umagenamon serves fresh local morning-caught seafood purchased directly from local fishermen around Shodoshima while it is still fresh. It is located on the first floor of the Ohkido Hotel in front of Tonosho Port. It features a menu with a wide variety of dishes that allows diners to fully enjoy local Shodoshima ingredients, such as olive-fed beef that was raised on a diet of pressed olives.

■Michi-no-Eki Shodoshima Furusato Village

Shodoshima Furusato Village features a shop selling Shodoshima’s specialty products as well as a snack corner where visitors can try rare “raw somen,” including “Shima no Hikari” hand-stretched somen noodles with a 400-year history.

Shodoshima Furusatomura

3.5

8 Reviews

Kagawa Pref. Shouzugunshoudoshimachou Murou 2084-1

0879752266

8:30-17:00[Snacks cafe] 10:3…

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Shodoshima can be reached by ferries departing from Takamatsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture and Shin-Okayama Port in Okayama Prefecture.
In addition to enjoying a ferry ride while gazing at the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, these ferries are full of photogenic, interesting, and fun features that will make you want to explore the interior and observation decks and keep you entertained during your trip to Shodoshima.
＞＞Ferry to Shodoshima

■From Takamatsu (Kagawa)
If you are coming to Shodoshima by air, start by taking the limousine bus from Takamatsu Airport to Takamatsu Port. From there, take the ferry to Shodoshima’s Ikeda Port, which takes around 60 minutes.
There are two ferries running to and from the island: “Elephant” and “Panda.”

The Kokusai Maru No. 11 is a new ferry that entered service in July 2021, with a large light blue elephant painted on its mast. It has a deck featuring playground equipment such as an elephant merry-go-round and swings to entertain children.
The Horizon Room, an observation lounge on the third floor, offers great views and can be reserved for private use.

The Kokusai Maru No. 1 has a panda painted on its chimney and awaits passengers with bamboo branches. The third-floor deck features a playground with four pandas that is very popular with children.
The udon noodles sold on board both ferries are popular for their handmade broth utilizing ingredients from Shodoshima. With an extensive menu and a secret broth recipe that has never been made available to the public, the food is highly praised by customers for its delicious taste.

■From Okayama
If you are coming to Shodoshima by Shinkansen, start by taking a bus from JR Okayama Station to Shin-Okayama Port. From there, take the ferry to Shodoshima’s Tonosho Port, which takes around 70 minutes.

The “Olympia Dream Seto” ferry was designed by Eiji Mitooka who is known for his distinctive express trains in the Kyushu region. It features a sophisticated exterior and bright, modern interior that offer a comfortable ride. The ferry’s interior in particular was designed with characters from the popular children’s animated series “Chuggington,” creating a fun atmosphere. A Chuggington mini-train runs on the rooftop deck of the ferry, and there is even a slide from the roof to downstairs, making it a dream-like place for children.

The other ferry, “Olympia Dream,” was also designed by Mitooka and features a bright and modern design that offers a relaxing and comfortable ride.

■Getting Around Shodoshima
Buses and rental cars are convenient ways to get around Shodoshima. Please choose your preferred means of transportation based on where you would like to go and how you would like to enjoy your trip.

1. Shima Meguri Sightseeing Bus

Shima Meguri Sightseeing Bus offers a one-day package tour that is convenient for beginners, allowing you to visit popular sightseeing spots in one day.
The bus departs from the Tonosho Port Tourist Center at 10:15 A.M. every day and stops at Choshikei Osarunokuni (Monkey Park), Kankakei Gorge and Ropeway, Twenty Four Eyes Movie Studio, souvenir stores (Ittokuan), and Olive Park before returning to Tonosho Port at 4:15 P.M.
＞＞Shima Meguri Sightseeing Bus

2. Local Bus
You can take a local bus (Olive Bus or Town Community Bus) from both Tonosho Port and Ikeda Port to get around the island. Please check Navitime for timetable and transfer information.

3. Car and Bicycle Rental

Renting a car or bicycle is recommended for those who wish to enjoy Shodoshima on their own. There are several car and bicycle rental shops at each port on the island.
You can rent a car or bicycle at Tonosho Port at “Shodoshima Cycle Station” on the first floor of the Ohkido Hotel in front of the port.
＞＞Shodoshima Cycle Station

You can rent a bicycle at Ikeda Port.
There are no rental car shops, but if you make a reservation, a car can be prepared for you at Ikeda Port. Please call this number to make a reservation: 0879-62-9685

4. Taxi
You can take a taxi from both Tonosho Port and Ikeda Port.
＞＞Shodoshima Kotsu
＞＞Kankake Taxi