Explore Shodoshima Island / Cycling Loop the Island / First Day /The Seto Inland Sea know for olives

Explore Shodoshima Island / Cycling Loop the Island / First Day /The Seto Inland Sea know for olives

Shodoshima, also known as Shōdo Island, is located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. It’s part of Kagawa Prefecture and is situated north of the prefectural capital, Takamatsu1. The island is known for its natural beauty, including the Dobuchi Strait, the Angel Road, and the Kankakei Gorge. It’s also famous for being the first area in Japan to successfully grow olives, earning it the nickname “Olive Island”. Shodoshima is a popular destination for domestic tourism and has a rich cultural history, including being the setting for the novel “Twenty-Four Eyes” and its film adaptations.

Shodoshima (小豆島, Shōdoshima) is the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea and one of the first islands born to the gods in the creation myth of Japan. The name literally means “small bean island”, which technically refers to the azuki bean but today could more fittingly refer to the soy bean or olive as the island has traditionally been a producer of soy sauce and now is even better known for its olive plantations.

Shodoshima attracts visitors with its Mediterranean atmosphere, offering beaches, resorts, coastal sceneries and a mountainous interior with one of Japan’s most celebrated gorges, the Kankakei Gorge. The island is also known as the filming location of a popular movie.

Shodoshima serves as one of the venues for the Setouchi Triennale art festival. Some permanent art installations from past festivals, including several outdoor installations, can also be viewed outside of the festival periods. They are spread across the island, with most of them concentrated around the port towns along the southern coast.