A Lover’s Sanctuary: Shodoshima, Strolling Happily Along the Angel Road

Text & Photos /Purple Smile

The Setouchi Triennale is a prominent international art festival in Japan that has garnered significant attention in recent years. Held once every three years, this art event has not only left behind numerous valuable artworks on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea but has also indirectly breathed new life into once-declining remote islands. With more young people choosing to stay, and fresh energy injected into these communities, the scattered islands across the Seto Inland Sea resemble dazzling pearls scattered across the sea.

Our first stop this time was a ferry ride from Takamatsu to Shodoshima. Nearly all the islands in the Seto Inland Sea are accessible by boat starting from here.

Our first destination on Shodoshima was Toshima Port. Shodoshima is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, with a voyage of about one hour.

Ferry tickets can also be purchased at the ticket machines.

They also indicate the tide times for famous attractions on Shodoshima, so you won’t make a wasted trip.

We also passed by the ticket counter for the internationally renowned Naoshima.

Larger islands usually have ferries that accommodate both passengers and vehicles.

Vehicles also line up to board one by one—it was a novel experience for us, and even buses can get on the ferry!!

Takamatsu Port is an important transportation hub, and the area is quite bustling. The train station is nearby, and there are also the famous ruins of Takamatsu Castle nearby.

Once people and vehicles are all aboard, the ferry can set off.

You can go down the stairs to enter the cabin.

The ferry has comfortable seating areas as well as spots where passengers can lie down.

There’s also a simple vending area!! Prices are not too expensive either.

After boarding, you can head upstairs to enjoy the sea breeze and take in the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.

Since the waters were almost completely calm, the ride was very smooth. If it weren’t for the chilly wind and the low temperature of around ten degrees outside, sitting out there enjoying the sea breeze would have been quite pleasant.

After about an hour’s journey, we finally arrived at Shodoshima!!

Upon arriving at Shodoshima, our first planned stop was the Angel Road—a beautiful name indeed. It’s actually similar to Jianshengyu in Kinmen or Kuibi Mountain in Penghu, appearing as a path revealed by tidal changes.

Haha, it turns out the Angel Road has become a path for lovers, so couples from all over Japan want to walk it—what a successful marketing move!!

There are also hotels nearby.

At the other end of the path, there’s even a love-themed ema (votive plaque)!!!

There’s also an observation deck here—not very high, just a climb of a few dozen steps to reach the top.

There’s also a Bell of Happiness symbolizing love up there!!

The island scenery viewed from above

This area has little industrial pollution, and the seawater is very clear.

We stood there for quite a while before finally seeing a young couple come to ring the bell!!!

Hehe, such a small place, yet they’ve managed to turn it into a romantic paradise—that’s really impressive!!!!

Olive trees are a unique feature of Shodoshima, the only place in Japan where they are cultivated. Due to its similar latitude to the Mediterranean, Japan introduced olive trees here and has developed a distinctive olive industry.

Clever Japanese locals have naturally come up with a locally exclusive product upgrade, of course!

It’s a very peaceful little fishing port—Shodoshima truly has a different kind of charm that makes you want to linger. Strolling along the small harbor especially lets you feel this one-of-a-kind serenity!!!
 

We are Ben & Jean—we love food, travel, photography, and 3C.
http://smilejean.pixnet.net/blog