A Journey Along the Islands of the Seto Inland Sea:

Many islands pop up in front of you.

They seem like sunken mountains, their summits peeking above the water.

Over the course of 300 million years, the waters of the Seto Inland Sea have shaped the region’s land.
Regions that were part of the mainland during the Ice Age drifted away, becoming islands and fostering human life.

The tides of this shallow sea occasionally birth whirlpools and carry nutrition from the rivers, supporting marine life.

This “treasure trove of seafood” is a gift from nature itself.

Eventually, people sailed across this sea, settling down and developing different lifestyles and cultures on each island.

Islands upon which the warring Taira and Minamoto clans rained arrows upon each other. Where the former entrusted its last hope. And nowadays, where the scents of soy sauce and olives waft upon the breeze.
These islands bear human stories across the ages.

The Seto Inland Sea, famed for its beautiful islands and gentle waters, became Japan’s first National Park.
This is the Takamatsu-Tonoshō ferry route. It passes through the national park, making it a cultural property in itself.

It is one of the major arteries of shipping and logistics, linking with routes to Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Kyūshū.

If you listen closely, you will hear the islands’ voices. Etched deep within the earth, full of memory, history, and legends.

Pay attention. One by one, they will lead you on a journey to find what this Inland Sea means to you.

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