Island-by-Island Complete GuideーShodoshimaー

1. Why Shodoshima Is Ideal for Foreign Travelers

Hello, this is the ShimaSuki editorial department.

Shodoshima is often described as
“Japan in perfect balance.”

• Not as busy as big cities
• Not as isolated as rural villages
• Tourist-friendly, yet deeply local

For foreign travelers, Shodoshima minimizes confusion and anxiety
while still offering an authentic Japanese island experience.

It works equally well for:

• First-time visitors to Japan
• Repeat travelers seeking something deeper

This balance is rare among Japanese islands.

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2. Basic Facts You Should Know Before Visiting

• Location: Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
• Population: Approx. 26,000
• Size: 19th largest island in Japan
• Character: Mountains, sea, farming, and fermentation culture

⚠ Important:

• Shodoshima is larger than most people expect
• Walking between sights is unrealistic
• Thinking “it’s a small island” often leads to trouble

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3. How to Get to Shodoshima from Major Cities

From Tokyo (Most Common Route)

1. Shinkansen: Tokyo → Okayama (about 3h 15m)
2. Train: Okayama → Takamatsu (about 1h)
3. Ferry: Takamatsu Port → Shodoshima (about 60m)

From Osaka

1. Train or Shinkansen to Okayama
2. Okayama → Takamatsu
3. Ferry to Shodoshima

Ferry Reality (No Sugarcoating)

• Reservations are often not required
• Ferries are punctual
• Weather cancellations do happen

⛴ This is often where travelers first learn:
Island travel in Japan depends on nature, not convenience.

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4. Transportation on the Island: What Actually Works

The honest answer:

Renting a car is almost essential.

Option	Reality
Rental car	✅ Best choice
Bus	⚠ Very limited
Taxi	⚠ Hard to find at night
Bicycle	❌ Too hilly & long distances

Common mistake by foreign travelers:

“We thought we could walk.”
→ One day lost, nothing seen.

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5. English Support: The Real Situation

• Tourist facilities: Basic English available
• Restaurants: Mostly Japanese-only menus
• Accommodations: Varies greatly by place

✔ Translation apps are essential
✔ Staff are extremely patient and kind
✖ Do not expect fluent English

What makes Shodoshima special is not language ability,
but people who truly try to communicate.

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6. Core Experiences That Leave a Lasting Impression

① Angel Road – A Path Controlled by the Tides

• Appears only at low tide
• Requires planning and patience
• Nature decides the schedule, not humans

Foreign travelers often say:

“Nature decides, not us.”

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② Soy Sauce Breweries & Fermentation Culture

• Over 400 years of soy sauce history
• Wooden barrels, microbes, time
• The foundation of Japanese cuisine

English explanations are limited,
which paradoxically makes the experience feel more authentic.

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③ The Silence of the Night

• Few convenience stores
• Shops close early
• True darkness and visible stars

Many travelers realize here
how rare quiet nights have become in modern life.

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7. Food Culture: Everyday Japanese Meals, Not Tourist Food

• Fresh local fish
• Home-style cooking
• Flavor over presentation

English menus are rare.
You may order without fully understanding.

Surprisingly, many travelers later say:

“That was the best meal I had in Japan.”

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8. Unwritten Rules Foreigners Often Miss

• Ask before taking photos
• Keep noise low at night
• Many areas are private property

These are not posted rules.
They are based on mutual trust.

Respecting them changes how locals treat you.

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9. Who Shodoshima Is (and Isn’t) For

Good fit if you:

• Are curious about Japanese culture
• Enjoy quiet places
• Travel thoughtfully and independently

Not recommended if you:

• Need efficiency and speed
• Want nightlife or parties
• Require full English support

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10. A Realistic 3-Night / 4-Day Stay

Day 1
Arrival, coastal drive, rest

Day 2
Angel Road, soy sauce breweries, villages

Day 3
Mountains, sea, doing nothing

Day 4
Morning ferry departure

🧭 The key is not overplanning.

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11. Why Shodoshima Stays in People’s Hearts

Shodoshima is not an “easy” destination.

But through:

• Waiting
• Slowing down
• Respecting space

Travelers experience Japanese values
as lived reality, not explanation.

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A Message from ShimaSuki

Shodoshima is not a place to “see” Japan.
It is a place to feel Japan.

Many visitors say, after leaving:

“Next time, I want to visit an even quieter island.”

That moment is when
true island travel in Japan begins.