Occupying the southern part of Shōdoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, Shōdoshima is a picturesque town surrounded by olive groves. It’s home to a classic Japanese film set and a Guinness World Record-holding strait, and is near the laid-back island of Teshima.
Things to do in Shodoshima
Discover the island’s long history of olive cultivation at Shōdoshima Olive Park, a working olive grove that flourishes in Shōdoshima’s Mediterranean climate. Visit the small museum to learn about olive oil production and admire the replica Greek windmill, then sample the olive-related products available for sale.
Classic film buffs should visit the Nijushi no Hitomi Movie Village, which was created for the 1954 Japanese movie “Twenty-Four Eyes”. Wander through the World War II-era streets where the life of a local school teacher was played out, with many of the atmospheric buildings now transformed into restaurants and shops.
Make a day trip to the nearby island of Teshima to explore its charming villages and stunning rural landscapes dotted with contemporary art installations. It’s particularly famed for a striking concrete sculpture in the corner of a rice terrace that resembles a water droplet at the moment of landing.
Want to see a strait of water that’s in the Guinness Book of World Records? Photograph the Dobuchi Strait that separates the island of Shōdoshima from Maejima and is just 10 metres wide at its narrowest point.
Getting around Shodoshima
Shōdoshima is a 1.5-hour boat ride from Tamano or one hour from Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku. Buses travel throughout the island or you can rent a car to explore at your leisure.