Shodoshima Island

What to know

Shodoshima (小豆島, Shōdoshima) is the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea and one of the first islands born to the gods in the creation myth of Japan. The name literally means "small bean island", which technically refers to the azuki bean but today could more fittingly refer to the soy bean or olive as the island has traditionally been a producer of soy sauce and now is even better known for its olive plantations.

Shodoshima attracts visitors with its Mediterranean atmosphere, offering beaches, resorts, coastal scenery and a mountainous interior with one of Japan's most celebrated gorges, the Kankakei Gorge. The island is also known as the filming location of a popular movie.

Shodoshima serves as one of the venues for the Setouchi Triennale art festival. Some permanent art installations from past festivals, including several outdoor installations, can also be viewed outside of the festival periods. They are spread across the island, with most of them concentrated around the port towns along the southern coast.

Activities and attractions

Teshima IslandAnother island with intriguing contemporary artNijushi no Hitomi Movie VillageFormer movie set of a popular Japanese movieKankakei GorgeSpectacular gorge in the mountainous interiorChoshikei Monkey ParkWild monkeys live in this park in the mountainsAround the IslandOther attractions around the islandShodoshima Soy SauceA local food product for centuriesOlive ParkPark on the site of Japan’s first olive plantationGreat Kannon (Daikannon)A fifty meter tall white statue of Kannon