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
Understand edit
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.
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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
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.
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