Shodo-shima

Sightseeing by Private Taxi for 6 hours

Kankakei Gorge

The Kankakei Gorge (寒霞渓) is a breathtaking ravine at the center of Shodoshima Island. It is ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful gorges and becomes particularly spectacular during the autumn color season which usually takes place in the second half of November. A ropeway runs the length of the gorge between a rather basic lower station and a more developed upper station with a souvenir shop and restaurant. Both stations can be reached by car and offer parking lots. The upper station is near Shodoshima's highest peak and has observation decks with nice panoramic views over the gorge, the island and the Seto Inland Sea. In addition to the ropeway, two hiking trails lead between the two stations. They are easy but steep trails that run mostly through the forest. The western trail is roughly two kilometers long and takes about one hour uphill or 30-45 minutes downhill. The eastern trail does not follow the ropeway as closely and is about three kilometers long.

Nakayama Senmaida

Nestled up against the mountains in Shodoshima's interior are the Senmaida or "one thousand rice fields". Seemingly hundreds of terraced rice fields are built into the surrounding hills, creating a beautiful rural sight. In the nearby village stands an outdoor kabuki stage on which local kabuki plays have been performed since the Edo Period.

Angel Road

A mysterious sand road that appears mysteriously in the middle of the ocean 　The sand road appears and disappears with the high and low tides. There are four islands connected from Bentenjima, which is next to Shodoshima. You can walk across the sand road twice a day at low tide, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. It is said that if you walk across holding the hand of your special person, an angel will descend and grant your wish. This site is recognized as one of Japan’s ‘Lovers Holy Lands’, a romantic spot just right for proposing.

Olive Garden

Shodoshima is the birth place of olive cultivation in Japan. The island's Mediterranean climate made it an ideal place for growing olives, which was first succeeded in 1908. Since then the island has been a top producer of Japanese olives and olive oil, and has earned Shodoshima the nickname "Olive Island".

Shodoshima Daikannon

Great Kannon, one of many such monumental statues of the Goddess of Mercy found all over Japan. This one on Shodoshima, the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea between Okayama and Shikoku.

The scenery of the early Showa period is waiting for you. Shodoshima was used as the backdrop for “Nijushi no Hitomi (Twenty-Four Eyes).” The film's outdoor set has been preserved as is, and is now open to the public.

Shodoshima Island’s soy sauce factories are concentrated in an area called Soy Sauce Village, where warehouses and factories built during the Meiji era (1868-1912) line the road from Yasuda to Sakate Port. The buildings, still in use today, create a historic atmosphere with their traditional charred wood cladding and old plaster walls.

Dofuchi Strait

An officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s narrowest strait. You can cross it on foot. It’s a popular stop for travelers from Japan and abroad and also functions as a local thoroughfare.

Stroll through the mazelike alleyways The outside walls were extended within the house to create cave-like paths leading to different spaces. Visitors can walk inside and explore.