Seto Inland Sea

The Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海 Seto Naikai) is the body of water between the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. With more than 700 islands, warm climate and low rainfall, this is one of the best areas for tourists. The whole surrounding area was designated as one of the first National Parks of Japan in 1934.

Islands edit

East
- Awaji Island — Kansai's stepping stone to Shikoku
Central
- Shodoshima — the island of olives
- Naoshima — devoted to contemporary art
- Inujima — a new centre of art.
- Teshima — yet another art-island.
- Shiraishijima — quiet beach island with an international villa
- Megijima — AKA "Ogre Island".
- Ogijima — picturesque, rocky island.
- Honjima
- Takamijima
- Awashima
- Ibukijima
West
- Innoshima — famous for tangerine cultivation.
- Miyajima — famous for its shrine and "floating torii" gate
- Omishima
- Suooshima

Understand edit

Floating torii of Miyajima

Many of Japan's largest cities border the Inland Sea, and the countless small islands in the Sea are perfect for off-the-beaten-track exploration.

Get in edit

Get around edit

By boat edit

Boats are the natural way to travel around the sea. There are countless services, most running only short distances; check under your destination of interest for details.

By car edit

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, as seen from Awaji Island

After billions of dollars in construction works, the Seto Inland Sea is now crossed by no less than three stupendously huge bridges. From east to west:

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, with the longest suspended span in the world, between Akashi (off Kobe, Honshu) and Awaji
Seto-Ohashi Bridge, a set of ten bridges connected Kurashiki, Okayama (Honshu) to Sakaide, Kagawa (Shikoku)
Shimanami Kaido, from Onomichi, Hiroshima (Honshu) to Imabari, Ehime (Shikoku) via seven bridges

By train edit

The only train connection across the Inland Sea is via the Seto-Ohashi Bridge from Okayama to Takamatsu and onward. Services are fast and frequent, although no Shinkansen service is available.

See edit

Itineraries edit

Shimanami Kaido Bikeway

Do edit

Eat edit

Drink edit

Stay safe edit

Go next edit

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