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Scattered throughout the Seto Inland Sea, the islands of the Geiyo archipelago have lengthy been beneath the radar. Until 1999, that’s, when the ultimate hyperlink of the Shimanami Kaido freeway opened, connecting Japan’s important island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku, passing through six small islands.
The planners had the foresight to create a 43-mile (70-kilometer) bicycle path that runs alongside the freeway and over its many bridges, a path that has since developed to develop into Japan’s hottest long-distance biking route. And due to the islands’ many cultural sights, various eating experiences and the addition of a number of high-end lodging choices, the realm now presents a variety of experiences for all vacationers.
“While the Shimanami Kaido is internationally known for cycling, the deeper appeal of the region lies in everyday island life shaped by the Seto Inland Sea,” says Daisuke Furubayashi, who helps run the WAKKA resort, which additionally has an onsite café and biking help middle on Omishima Island.
“The sea here is characteristically calm, and the islands are home to small working fishing ports and long-established citrus farms. What often stands out to visitors is that tourism coexists with ordinary daily life.”
Located within the coronary heart of the Geiyo Archipelago, about midway alongside the freeway and bike route, Omishima is essentially the most handy base for these eager to spend a number of days within the islands and discover off the principle drag. The island is house to a number of of the Shimanami route’s most iconic websites, together with the spectacular Tatara Bridge.
“The islands are not theme-park destinations; they remain lived-in communities,” says Daisuke. “Beyond cycling, guests enjoy coastal walks, bridge viewpoints, small local eateries and cafés, seasonal citrus landscapes, and the slower rhythm that is increasingly rare in larger destinations.”
Rising from the island’s coastal plain, trails wind through thick forest to the summit of Washigatama Mountain, Eboshi Rock and the Tateishi Observatory, with its panoramic views throughout the Inland Sea. The island additionally hosts the futuristic Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, together with a number of artwork collections.
However, Omishima’s important declare to fame is the unbelievable Oyamazumi Shrine. Dedicated to the Shinto god of the mountains, sea and warfare, the complicated was based across the seventh century CE and is taken into account the protector shrine of all Japan. As a outcome, many Japanese shoguns and samurai visited the shrine to realize the battle god’s approval and have their weapons blessed.
The Treasure Hall preserves many relics from these historic visits.
“Oyamazumi Shrine is home to a whopping 80% of Japan’s samurai-era gear that has been designated as National Treasures or National Important Cultural Assets,” says Beth Reiber, the creator of a number of books on Japan and an official Visit Japan Ambassador.
“Donated through the centuries by warriors wishing to express gratitude for victorious battles, it’s an astonishing collection of swords, helmets and armor, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.”
Oyamazumi additionally boasts a camphor tree that’s believed to be round 2,600 years previous and is an formally designated Japanese nationwide pure treasure. According to legend, anybody who circles the gnarly big 3 times (whereas holding their breath) may have their needs granted.
The subsequent island down the chain, Hakata is among the finest locations to take a dip within the Inland Sea, particularly at huge, sandy Hakata Beach and secluded Okiura Beach.
From there, a colossal suspension bridge leaps throughout a strait to Oshima Island, house to the Murakami Kaizoku Museum, which traces the archipelago’s legacy as a pirate hang-out throughout medieval occasions. Also referred to as the Murakami Suigun (“Murakami Navy”), the pirates had been seagoing clans who typically allied themselves with terrestrial warlords. From the museum, you’ll be able to peer throughout the bay to see the stays of a pirate citadel on tiny Noshima Island.
Oshima additionally presents a uncommon alternative for oceanfront tenting alongside a distant stretch of sand at Tomourakume. And whereas it will not be conventional Japanese delicacies, close by Setouchi Bagel presents cold and hot drinks, and freshly baked pastries, together with a particular Shimanami bagel flight.
Ikuchijima Island, in the meantime, is famend for cultivating citrus. A scoop of lemon or mandarin orange sorbet at Dolce, an ice cream store in Setoda city, is a tasty approach to pattern the native bounty. On the opposite facet of city, the eclectic Kosanji Temple harbors quite a few shrines and pagodas, plus an offbeat, summary stone backyard composed fully of white marble.
“Kosanji dates only from 1936, when a local businessman erected it to honor his mother,” Reiber explains. “He spent the next three decades constructing full-scale replicas of famous Japanese temples and shrines. If you’ve ever wondered what the Hall of Dreams at Horyuji Temple in Nara looks like — or missed the chance to snap a shot of the Yomeimon Gate in Nikko — you’ll have your chance here.”
For these eager to spend a number of days on Ikuchijima, among the many most up-to-date additions on the increased finish is Azumi Setoda, a recent ryokan that mixes fashionable luxurious with family-style hospitality.
Meanwhile, a few of the archipelago’s fascinating islands that may solely be reached by ferry or personal boat embrace Osaki-Shimojima. During the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868), it was identified for its ochaya, geisha teahouses frequented by highly effective political and army figures. In newer occasions, it gained fame once more as a location for the Oscar-winning film “Drive My Car” (2021).
The geisha have lengthy since departed, however the historic Otomeza Geisha Theatre in Mitarai Town has been restored to its former brilliance. Built in 1937, it hosts quite a lot of conventional and cultural performances together with classical music live shows, dance, drama, storytelling, seasonal festivals, heritage packages, motion pictures and occasional geisha-style leisure occasions. Vintage Japanese film posters line the partitions, whereas tatami mats present seating for the performances.
The theater is surrounded by different heritage buildings within the Townscape of Mitarai Historic Preservation Area, a superb instance of small-town structure within the mid-Nineteenth century.
“Mitarai preserves the atmosphere of a historic port town that once flourished along the Seto Inland Sea shipping routes,” says Mitsuki Ogino, government director of Tourism Kure, which oversees the promotion of Osaki-Shimojima.
“Walking through its streets feels like stepping back in time, with beautifully preserved Edo- and Meiji-era buildings, traditional merchant houses, and scenic sea views. Unlike more crowded tourist sites, Mitarai offers a calm, authentic experience of Japan’s maritime heritage and local life.”
Mitarai has small guesthouses, conventional inns and renovated historic properties that function as boutique lodging, some on the high-end.
“Staying overnight is highly recommended,” Ogino provides, “because it allows visitors to experience the quiet evening atmosphere after day-trippers leave, enjoy local cuisine, and appreciate the town’s historic charm at a relaxed pace.”
Japan’s Rabbit Island
Another journey includes taking the ferry to Okunoshima. Also referred to as Rabbit Island, it helps a big inhabitants of very pleasant feral bunnies.
Although nobody is aware of for certain, many locals say they had been let unfastened by Japanese pet homeowners or college youngsters a long time in the past. But there are some who reportedly believe the rabbits had been left behind when a super-secret manufacturing facility on the island closed on the finish of World War II.
Visitors can be taught extra in regards to the island’s darkish historical past on the Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum and go to the ruins of the gasoline manufacturing facility. There’s additionally a grassy waterfront campground, resort, restaurant and a superb swimming seaside.
Furubayashi says the Rabbit Island tour is considered one of WAKKA’s hottest actions, together with guided paddleboard excursions to uninhabited islands, fishing on the Inland Sea and seasonal food-related experiences like citrus and strawberry selecting.
Another approach to discover native waters is by becoming a member of a guided kayaking journey.
“It’s stunning!” says Miho Ogura, co-owner of Hidden Japan Travel, an clothing store that gives guided biking and sea kayaking in Shimanami.
“Kayaking offers one other perspective on this unbelievable location. The currents may be sturdy, so we all the time use an skilled native information who is aware of the waters effectively. Popping within the sea for a dip whereas using or resting on a abandoned seaside throughout kayaking is actually epic.
Ogura provides that whereas kayaking could be very accessible, it nonetheless permits paddlers to go to much less populated and extra timeless elements of the archipelago.
“We prefer to use traditional inns, such as ryokans or minshuku. Accommodation owned by locals who have lived on the islands all their lives. You even kayak right to the hotel!”