Shodoshima Olive Park
小豆島
A ferry ride away — smaller roads, clearer water and a different pace.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
What this place is
Shōdoshima or Shōdo Island (小豆島, Shōdoshima) is an island located in the Inland Sea of Japan. The name means "Island of Small Beans". There are two towns on the island: Tonoshō and Shōdoshima, composing the district of Shōzu. The island is famous as the setting for the novel Twenty-Four Eyes and its subsequent film adaptations and the manga Teasing Master Takagi-san and its adaptations. The island was the first area of Japan to successfully grow olives, and it is sometimes known as "Olive Island".
Shodoshima Olive Park (小豆島) is one of the standout places to visit in Kagawa. Give yourself unhurried time for photos, seasonal views, and nearby food stops. IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA cover most trains and city buses.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- The crossing itself: the approach by sea is half the experience.
- Coastal scenery and viewpoints you can circle in a day on foot, by bike or by local bus.
- A small resident community whose food, festivals and dialect differ from the mainland nearby.
What you can do here
- Rent a bicycle or e-bike at the port and ride the coastal loop.
- Walk to the island's main viewpoint or lighthouse for the wide sea panorama.
- Eat seafood caught that morning at a port-side restaurant.
- Stay overnight if you can — the island empties out after the last ferry and the night sky is excellent.
Getting there by public transport
- Ferry from Takamatsu; island buses.
- Nearest station/stop: Tonosho Port.
Good to know before you go
- Plan around the ferry timetable first, everything else second; the last boat is unforgiving.
- Ferries are cancelled in high wind or swell — have a backup plan for the day.
- ATMs, konbini and card payment can all be scarce; bring cash and water.
Traveler reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how it went.