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Enjoy the Inland
Sea of Japan: Setonaikai |
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Many Shinkansen trains stop in Fukuyama. While the city itself
is an uninteresting industrial town, it is convenient to change
for local trains and buses to the spots introduced below.
1. Kasaoka Islands (Shiraishi-jima, Manabe-shima)
A chain of small, unspoilt islands offering beaches, hiking,
marine leisure and old fishing villages.
2. Tomonoura
The only complete port ensemble from the Edo period. The beauty
of the moon-shaped harbour and small islands has long inspired
poetry.
3. Boat trip Tomonoura - Onomichi |
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Access:
From Okayama:
JR Sanyo Line in direction of Mihara, Hiroshima. Get off at
Kasaoka (40 min.).
From Fukuyama:
JR Sanyo Line in direction of Okayama. Get off at Kasaoka (15
min.). From there, signs to "International Villa Shiraishi"
will take you to Kasaoka Port.
Kasaoka-Shiraishi: 15 boats per day
Kasaoka-Manabe: 8 boats per day
Kasaoka Islands, which are located in the west part of
Okayama, form an island chain that is part of Kasaoka city and
it's composed of a little over 30 uninhabited islands and 7
inhabited ones. It's also located in the center of the Seto
Inland Sea. The islands support 3187 residents in total (as
of 2002), however the population has been getting smaller and
smaller. Fishery, stone dealers, and tourism are the main businesses
and some people work in companies too; however most of the people
are living on their retirement pension. Each island has its
own originality and you can enjoy the islands' different atmospheres
each season. Almost all the islands have beaches and the meals
are pretty much based on the fresh fish. There are some islands
with designated hiking paths and you can enjoy the great view
from the top of the mountain. Although all islands are worth
visiting, we will introduce mainly two, Shiraishi and Manabe.
Shiraishi
Island is located 16km away from the main island. There are
7 accommodation facilities and some camp sites and sightseeing
fisheries. This island is also a great spot for hiking and
marine sports. As for the traditional Japanese culture, "Shiraishi
odori", a traditional dance specified for the national
intangible cultural asset is held in August. Since Okayama
Prefecture built the International Exchange Villa on the island,
about 1200 foreigners come to visit here every year.
Activities: at the beach on the Northern side, you
can not only swim but try kayaking and windsurfing. It is
possible to arrange sailing and fishing trips; check the webpage
of Amy Chavez below.
Manabe
Island has a population of 390 and it's located 32km away
from the Kasaoka Port. Fishery, aquaculture, sightseeing and
agriculture are the main industries. This is the last stop
of the ferry line from Kasaoka. You will find a traditional
fishing village and even an old wooden school building.
Activities: stroll through the old fishing village
on the Northern side. Near the port, there is a fish restaurant
famous for its freshness - don't go there if you don't like
your food moving around, but otherwise, you shouldn't miss
this new dimension of fish delicacy!
It is possible to take a motorboat cruising trip to Manabe from
Tomonoura which includes a delicious fresh seafood lunch. Cruises
are run by Kazenootosha . |
Accommodation:
Shiraishi:
Okayama Prefecture International Villa Shiraishi. This is
one of five international villas in Okayama prefecture. They
allow foreigners (and accompanying Japanese) to stay in traditional
or specially designed houses, with cooking facilities for
a very reasonable price.
http://www.harenet.ne.jp/villa/
Minshuku Harada: situated right on the beach. Ask here for
kayaking or surfing. http://ww3.tiki.ne.jp/~harada-/public.html
(Jap.)
mail: harada-@mx3.tiki.ne.jp
(Engl. mail ok)
Manabe: Youth-hostel on the southern side of the island, a
pleasant walk over the hill: Youth Hostel Santora:
http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/chugoku/manabe/index.html
Links:
Information on Shiraishi Island by Amy Chavez, who writes for the Japan Times. She also runs a bar on the beach, offers sailing trips and help with reservations for accommodation, barbecues, fishing: http://www.moooobar.comKazenootosha: http://www.kazenooto.jp/english/c_m2.html |
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Access:
By bus from Fukuyama station. Cross the traffic light at the
right side of the South (Central) Exit. Buses run every 15
minutes from the first busstop after the traffic light, in
front of Starbucks (30min.).
Tomonoura
is located in the center of the Seto Inland Sea and it's a
harbour town with 6000 residents. It's a wonderful, natural
harbour, and Tomonoura, which had flourished as both a harbour
and a town through the Middle Ages and the early modern ages,
still has covered alleys, an old lighthouse, a wharf and dockings,
as well as other historical heritage letting us feel the depth
of the historical culture in the whole town. And you can also
enjoy the rich life-style that the modern society has forgotten
through Tomonoura's original life-style, work, humane feelings
and the taste which were born in the rich flow of time. |
Activities:
Walk
through the old town, visiting temples, shops and cafes in
historic houses, an nostalgic shop with boat equipment (Sawamura
boat shop )
and a rich merchants' house (Otake-jutaku ).
Enjoy the view of the small island Benten-jima from Fukuzen-ji
Temple ,
like the Korean ambassadors did when they stopped here on
their way to Edo in the 17th Century. Or walk up to Io-ji
Temple
to look over the port. Since 2002, a citizens group has been
actively renovating old houses that had fallen empty and found
new uses for them.
Tomonoura also has many traditional events. In March, traditionally
decorated dolls for the girls festival (Hina matsuri) are
displayed in many of the houses. In May, a festival centers
around sea-bream fishing. In July, burning pine bundles are
carried up the steep stairs to the Shrine at night, leaving
many of the local guys with burns on their skin! (Otebi matsuri
)
The island opposite Tomonoura, called Sensuijima, can be easily
reached by the small ferry crossing regularly. On the island,
you will find a beach, a campsite, hiking courses, cute Tanuki
(Japanese badger) and accommodation.
It is also possible to try out kayaking in Tomonoura if you
make a reservation with Setouchi Seakayak Adventures.
Kazenooto-sha
(stands for "Sound of the Wind") runs half-day cruises
(capacity up to 12 persons/cruise) from Tomonoura to some
islands, eg. Manabe and Yuge. Prices start from around 10.000\
per person depending on the number of guests. Some plans include
a specialty lunch made from fresh fish, sea food and other
carefully prepared local ingredients.
Plans can be modified for your interest and circumstances.
Several-days charter cruise plans are also available.
For details, please contact in English via e-mail. |
Accommodation:
There are several large and comfortable Ryokan in Tomonoura.
Sensuijima: Public lodge Sensuijima also has hot bath using
salt water.@ http://www.tomonoura.co.jp/sen/02shukusha.html
(Jap.)
Camping on Sensuijima: reservations through Public Lodge Sensuijima
Links:
Kayak: SETOUCHI Seakayak Adventures Murakami Suigun (Contact:
Mr. Murakami) Tel: 090-8718-4141
e-mail: m-yasu@qd5.so-net.ne.jp
(Engl. mail ok)
http://www.kayak.ne.jp/murakamisuigun/
Kazenootosha:
http://www.kazenooto.jp (Jap.)
NPO machizukuri kobo
(NPO to create townscape) is a citizens group engaged in
preserving and reviving Tomo's historical townscape. Although
the Homepage is only in Japanese, some of the members speak
English and can give you information about the projects:
http://www.vesta.dti.ne.jp/~npo-tomo/ (Jap.) |
From May to November, boats run on weekends from the pier
in Tomonoura to Onomichi 4 times a day, following the coast
of the Numakama peninsula. The one-hour ride gives you a pleasant
rest between visiting two port towns, Tomonoura and Onomichi. |
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