【Japan】Shodoshima: an island brimming with charm in the Seto Inland Sea. Here we present a carefully selected guide to Shodoshima's latest tourist attractions! From breathtaking photo spots and hands-on experiences to gourmet delights, we provide a comprehensive guide in the form of model itineraries.
One-Day Sightseeing Model Course for Shodoshima
The beautiful island of Shōdoshima, floating in the Seto Inland Sea.
Shodoshima, also renowned for its thriving olive cultivation. With a circumference of approximately 82.4 kilometres, it is quite a substantial island. Its scenery, reminiscent of Greece, makes it an ideal spot for a summer getaway. Here you'll find the latest gourmet information from establishments that have just opened this year, alongside details on experiential tourist attractions. We'll convey the full charm of resort-like Shodoshima, leaving nothing out.
Information current as of August 2025. As shop details may have changed, please check opening hours and operating days before visiting.
Angel Road｜The phantom sand path that appears only at low tide
Angel Road, hugely popular with couples
Twice daily at low tide, a sandy path appears leading to Benten Island. It is said that crossing it hand-in-hand with someone special will make your wishes come true. Stroll along this beautiful sandy path and enjoy a romantic moment.
Climb Benten Island just before crossing to find the Promised Hill Observatory, where you can ring the Bell of Happiness with Angel Road as your backdrop. For the best shots, visit 30 minutes before low tide peak to capture the scene in favourable light.
This place is also a sacred site for the anime “Takagi-san, the Teasing Master”.
Photography spotsPanoramic shot from the Promised Hill Observatory
Check here for the time the path appears
Please check this tide table to see when Angel Road appears.。
→ Angel Road Tide Tables
- Angel Road
- 〒761-4101 24-92 Kō, Tonosho-chō, Shōdoshima-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
- URL：https://www.town.tonosho.kagawa.jp/gyosei/soshiki/shoko/4/3/172.html
Villa Ginshiro
Enjoy the delightfully chewy texture of somen noodles
A specialist shop for Shodoshima's famous hand-stretched somen noodles.
Particularly recommended are the fresh somen noodles (¥800) and olive somen noodles (¥750).
Somen noodles are usually made by drying them, but fresh somen are harvested just before drying to be eaten. These are absolutely delicious! They boast a wonderfully chewy, springy texture with superb bite.
Fresh somen noodles are made from fresh dough, while olive somen are dried noodles; yet the dried noodles possess such resilience that one might mistake them for fresh.
The shop not only serves meals but also has a souvenir shop attached, where you can purchase the aforementioned somen noodles.
ぜひお土産にどうぞ。
- Ginshiro Noodle Company Ltd. ‘Shodoshima Somen Cuisine Annex Ginshiro’
- 〒761-4102 5165-94 Minato Shinmachi, Tonosho Town, Sado District, Kagawa Prefecture
- 0879-62-1868
- URL：https://tabelog.com/kagawa/A3705/A370501/37008675/
Labyrinth Town & Yokai Art Museum｜Summer Limited “Yokai Creepy Festival” Event
A museum of yokai that yokai enthusiasts will find irresistible.
The surrounding area is known as the “Labyrinth Town”, where you can explore four art galleries housed in Meiji-period traditional houses. The galleries are numbered 01 to 04.
The director is a master of yokai painting. It all began when he established the world's first yokai art museum as part of regional revitalisation efforts.
Over 900 specimens are preserved here, ranging from yokai that have been passed down in Japan since ancient times to those created in modern society.
Scan the QR code with your smartphone to listen to audio guides while exploring freely. Enjoy stamp rallies and social media discounts – it's packed with fun!
In summer, the “Yōkai Kimo Damé Festival” is held, offering entertainment until late into the evening.
It's a bit eerie, but it's the perfect spot for a hot summer's day.
- Yōkai Art Museum
- 398 Kō, Tonosho-chō, Shōdoshima-gun, Kagawa Prefecture 761-4106
- 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Thursdays only: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) ※Subject to seasonal variation
- URL：https://yokaimuseum.on-the-trip.com/index.html
Olive Palace RestleA ┃ Olive Oil and Hishio Rice Bowl
Olive Palace Restrea, the restaurant within Shodoshima Olive Garden
A restaurant within the olive grove. Here you can fully enjoy Shodoshima's specialities: olive-fed beef and chicken, soy sauce, moromi, and olives.
Our top recommendation is this! ‘Hishiodon’ (¥1150)
Hishio refers to dishes made using soy sauce. It apparently denotes dishes made with soy sauce, fermented ingredients, or vegetables.
The rice bowl is topped with plenty of vegetables, and contains a mixture of minced meat.
You might think it's healthy since it's vegetable-based, but when you try it, the seasoning is quite strong.
It contains minced meat, which combines deliciously with the olive flavour. The inclusion of unlimited domestic extra virgin olive oil makes for an exceptionally luxurious experience.
We also recommend our rich olive chicken ajillo. Do give it a try.
- Olive Palace RestleA
- Shōdoshima Olive Garden 2171 Nishimura-kō, Shōdoshima-chō, Shōdoshima-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
- 9:00 - 16:00
- URL：https://tabelog.com/kagawa/A3705/A370501/37006253/
Roadside Station Shodoshima Olive Park
Let's take a flying photograph with a magic broomstick
The Shodoshima Olive Park, with its Greek-style windmills and 2,000 olive trees, is a popular spot for social media.
Famous as a filming location for the movie Kiki's Delivery Service, it's a staple to take “flying photos” using rental brooms.
Here, hop aboard a broomstick and take a photo just like in Kiki's Delivery Service. The magic broomsticks are available to borrow free of charge at the Olive Memorial Hall.
Recommended Experiences： Olive oil pressing, soft-serve ice cream making (booking required)
- Roadside Station Shodoshima Olive Park (Greek Windmill)
- 1941-1 Nishimura-ko, Shodoshima-cho, Shodoshima-gun, Kagawa Prefecture 761-4434
- Open all year round
- URL：https://www.my-kagawa.jp/point/239/
Yamaro Shoyu｜Tour of Traditional Wooden Barrel Fermentation
Whilst enveloped in the aroma of soy sauce, tour the brewery and savour the famous 'soy sauce soft-serve'
Yamaro Shoyu, renowned for its soy sauce production
Here you can tour the historic soy sauce brewery.
The soy sauce produced here is the four-year-aged “Tsurubishio” (145ml ¥810).
It is characterised by a deep flavour, savoury without being salty.
It can be enjoyed as sashimi, but we also recommend serving it over vanilla ice cream.
In fact, soy sauce-topped ice cream is a popular menu item served at a café adjacent to the soy sauce brewery.
The “Ice Cream with Salted Chicken Broth” (¥440) pictured above is absolutely delicious!
It develops a salted caramel flavour and is reputed to be absolutely delicious.
As it is a well-known soy sauce, it is also available via online shopping.
- Yamaro Shoyu
- 1607 Yasuda-ko, Shodoshima-cho, Shodoshima-gun, Kagawa Prefecture 761-4411
- Open all year round
- Important notes: As lactic acid bacteria and yeast are susceptible to natto bacteria, please refrain from eating natto before your tour.
- URL：https://www.my-kagawa.jp/point/3502/
Cultiva ┃Enjoy exquisite creative Japanese cuisine!
Cultiva: A restaurant serving creative Japanese cuisine that makes the most of the island's ingredients
Just opened in April 2025!
Both the exterior and interior of this stylish establishment were designed by architect Taichi Kuma.
※ Mr Taichi Kuma: The son of the world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma.
This restaurant specialises in creative dishes made with Shodoshima's abundant local ingredients. The menu features three set meals and an evening-only special called “Before the Evening Drink”.
The “Before Evening Drinks” menu, which allows you to savour the island's relaxed pace, is a particular chef's recommendation.
A dish featuring Spanish mackerel from the Seto Inland Sea! *Ingredients may vary depending on the season.
Using seasonal ingredients and delicate seasoning, it's renowned for being absolutely delicious.
- Cultiva
- 615-25 Kusakabe Honmachi, Shodoshima-cho, Shodoshima-gun, Kagawa Prefecture 761-4432
- URL：https://www.instagram.com/cultiva_shodoshima/
For a day trip, I think it will be about time to head back around this time.
Everywhere is well worth seeing, so be careful not to linger too long. If you wish to take your time and see everything thoroughly, you might consider skipping one or two dining spots. Alternatively, you could opt for a two-day, one-night trip.
Summary｜Make the most of Shodoshima's charms!
How did you find it? Shodoshima is packed with spots to enjoy throughout the four seasons.
Beautiful nature, unique culture and captivating experiences await you.
Our next holiday destination is decided: Shodoshima! Do use this article as a guide to create many wonderful memories on Shodoshima.
Model itinerary for a two-day, one-night stay
For those wishing to sightsee on the second day, please click here.
For those wishing to explore further on the second day, or to customise the one-day model itinerary, we present a selection of Shodoshima's lesser-known gems beyond the above recommendations.
If you wish to see the autumn foliage, why not customise your model course by adding the Kankakei Ropeway instead of the Olive Park?
Kankakei Ropeway
Sky Walk: Enjoying Spectacular Views in Seconds
When it comes to Shodoshima's tourist attractions, “Kankakei” is the one to mention.
Located at the heart of Setouchi National Park, this is the breathtaking view of Kankakei Gorge, celebrated as one of Japan's three most beautiful valleys and the only place in Japan where one can simultaneously take in panoramic views of the sky, sea, and gorge.
The ropeway, offering spectacular seasonal views from an altitude of 612 metres, reaches the summit in just five minutes. The spring forsythia and autumn foliage are unmissable. At the observation deck café, you can savour the “Olive Beef Burger”.
The maple cider, which contains maple extract, is refreshing and delicious.
- New greenery: late April to mid-May
- Sea of Clouds: Early mornings in June and July, evenings in October and November
- Autumn colours: early to mid-November
Twenty-Four Eyes Film Village
Step into the world of Showa-era retro cinema
A film village preserving the original location set from the classic film Twenty-Four Eyes.
Pre-war Shōwa-era buildings with a nostalgic feel remain, allowing you to experience a sense of having slipped back in time.
Photographing the scene of retro wooden school buildings lined up with a sepia filter instantly transports you back to the Shōwa era.
There are many scenes that make you want to take photographs, even if you're unfamiliar with the artwork.
Nakayama Senmaida
Terrace Fields Illumination and Firefly Village
Nakayama Senmaida, with its approximately 800 terraced rice fields, is gaining attention as a scenic spot.
The firefly viewing week, particularly from late May to early June, offers a truly enchanting spectacle.
This is footage of the Insect-Sending Ceremony at Nakayama Senmaida, held from 7pm on 6 July.
Kasane-iwa
Celestial Power Spot
A spectacular viewpoint where a colossal rock atop the mountain maintains a miraculous balance.
You'll need to climb 350 steps, but a breathtaking view awaits at the top. We recommend wearing non-slip shoes.
Olive Beach Seaside Bathing Area
Beach fun and stargazing camp
Olive Beach, where you can enjoy stand-up paddleboarding and camping on a 700-metre stretch of white sand.
At Shodoshima's largest beach, you can enjoy marine sports and other activities. The beach huts are well-equipped and convenient.
Beneath the beautiful sea and blue skies, indulge in the extraordinary.
