Shishijima Is a Small Setouchi Island Best Discovered on Foot
Shishijima in Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture, is an island explored on foot from the port through the village, flower fields, and up the mountainside.
Rather than moving from one large tourist facility to another, the appeal lies in experiencing at walking pace the sea that appears beyond narrow alleys, flower fields cared for by island residents, and a great camphor tree that has lived through centuries.
Cross by Boat from Miyanoshita Port
The scheduled boat takes about 20 minutes from Miyanoshita Port to Shishijima Port.
Services from Suda Port via Awashima are also available, but the number of sailings, connections, and operating conditions may change.
Check your return sailing as well as your outbound one in advance, and consider alternatives in case of cancellation or a full boat before you depart.
Travel Around the Island Is Primarily on Foot
The island has many steep, narrow slopes and stairways and is not a place for sightseeing by car or bicycle.
Once you leave the port, the roads become narrower, and both the paving and gradient change.
Wear well-broken-in shoes, keep your luggage light, and allow enough time to catch the return boat.
Understand the Relative Locations of the Highlights
| Place | Approximate Time from the Port | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Kusukusu Rest Area | Near the port | Rest area in a repurposed traditional house |
| Tenku no Hanabatake | About 15 minutes on foot | Flower field being restored by island residents |
| Great Camphor Tree of Shishijima | About 20 minutes on foot | Giant tree designated a Prefectural Natural Monument |
| Kusunokura Observatory | Near the great camphor tree | Handmade observatory overlooking the Seto Inland Sea |
Travel time varies with walking speed, breaks, photography, and weather.
Do not treat the times on a map as targets for the shortest possible journey. Work backward from your boat's departure time to decide where to turn around.
Head to the Great Camphor Tree, a Prefectural Natural Monument
The great camphor tree, known as a symbol of Shishijima, stands on the mountainside.
The uphill walk from the port is itself a chance to experience the island's terrain changing from a seaside settlement to forest.
Walk About 20 Minutes Uphill from the Port
It is about a 20-minute walk from Shishijima Port to the great camphor tree.
There are forks and steep slopes along the way, so watch for guide signs and give way to residents and people working on narrow paths.
Even a short distance can be physically demanding on a hot day, so drink water before you feel thirsty.
A Giant Tree Said to Be 1200 Years Old
The great camphor tree is said to be about 1200 years old and was designated a Natural Monument of Kagawa Prefecture in April 1970.
Treat its age as an estimate. Rather than judging its value by the number alone, quietly observe the thick branches spreading in all directions, the hollow in the trunk, the bark, and the surrounding vegetation to sense the long history that island residents have protected.
Keep Your Distance to Protect the Roots and Branches
Around the giant tree, avoid stepping into the root area, hanging from branches, or carving letters into the bark.
Do not occupy the same spot for a long time to take photographs, and share the space with people who arrived before you.
ubayuri lilies can be seen nearby around mid-July, but flowering depends on the weather and is not guaranteed.
Trace Tenku no Hanabatake and the Memory of the “Island of Flowers”
Shishijima once prospered through floriculture and has a history of being called the “Island of Flowers.”
Today's Tenku no Hanabatake is a place that island residents continue to tend in an effort to recreate that landscape; it is not a naturally blooming meadow.
A Field That Carries on the Memory of Floriculture
Follow the alleys and slopes from the port, and a flower field with the sea as its backdrop appears.
Look not only at the view of the Seto Inland Sea beyond the flowers, but also at efforts to pass the island's former appearance to the next generation amid population decline and aging.
Flower Seasons Are Only a Guide
Moss phlox, calendula, dianthus, hydrangeas, and other flowers generally reach their best from spring to early summer.
However, flowering times and the number of blooms vary with temperature, rainfall, and maintenance conditions.
Do not choose your visit date based only on the flowers. Check the blooming conditions and make a plan that lets you enjoy the island scenery even when flowers are not in bloom.
The Fields Are Places of Daily Life and Work
Do not leave the paths to step between plants, pick flowers, or place personal belongings in the field for photographs.
Do not photograph island residents or workers without permission. When visiting as a group, split into smaller numbers so you do not block the paths.
It is important to show respect through your actions for the people who protect the flower fields, rather than merely taking photographs home.
View Setouchi's Terrain from the Observatory and Yokoo no Tsuji
Continue higher from the area around the great camphor tree, and you will find points where the Seto Inland Sea and its islands can be viewed through the trees.
Even though it is the same sea, the level view from the port feels very different from the archipelago seen from above on the mountainside.
Take a Break at Kusunokura Observatory
Kusunokura Observatory is a handmade wooden viewing platform reached by following the signs uphill from the great camphor tree.
You can rest on a chair while looking at the sea, but this is a small facility, so do not occupy it with a large group and take all food and drink waste with you.
Do not venture close to the edge during strong winds or when the footing is wet.
Yokoo no Tsuji Is the Island's Highest Point
Yokoo no Tsuji is Shishijima's highest peak at an elevation of 109m.
The trail branches from the route toward the great camphor tree and climbs higher, making it suitable for people with enough time and stamina.
On foggy, rainy, or windy days when a view is unlikely, do not insist on reaching the summit; decide to return toward the port.
Choose Equipment Suited to Mountain Paths
Even if you plan to walk only on paved roads, you will encounter fallen leaves, soil, and wet stone steps.
Prepare slip-resistant shoes, a small bag that leaves both hands free, a hat, and insect repellent suited to the season.
There are many mosquitoes in summer, so long sleeves and long pants are also useful.
See Island Life in the Village Alleys and the Dual-Grave Custom
Shishijima's appeal is not limited to its natural scenery.
Walking among the houses around the port, alleys along the slopes, fields, and places of prayer reveals the history of how residents built their lives on limited land.
Narrow Alleys Are Part of Residents' Daily Routes
The alleys are not photography sets prepared for tourists; they are everyday paths used to enter homes and carry goods.
Do not peer into entrances or gardens, enter private property, or talk loudly.
Do not feed cats, goats, or other animals without their owners' permission.
The Mourning Custom of Separate Burial and Worship Graves
Shishijima retains the scenery of a dual-grave custom that separates the “burial grave,” where the body is interred, from the “worship grave,” where a stone monument is erected and visited.
The hut-like burial graves seen near the port are an unusual sight, but they remain places connected to people's deaths and memories.
Do not treat them as amusing objects. View them quietly and do not enter grave areas without permission.
Walk While Imagining the Island's Changes
The former floriculture industry, today's flower-field restoration activities, and the rest area created from a traditional house show how the island has adapted to changing times.
Even when you see an empty house or an unused field, the basic rule is not to enter or move anything without the owner's permission.
Remember that visitors are temporary guests in the daily life of the island.
Plan Safe Access by Boat and Through the Ports
For a day trip to Shishijima, you need to settle the boat schedule and transportation to the port before deciding which island highlights to visit.
Services are limited and affected by weather and crowds, so do not assume you can simply switch to the next sailing as you might with an urban train.
Basic Route via Miyanoshita Port
The recommended route is to take the Mitoyo City Community Bus from JR Takuma Station to the Takuma Government Office and board a scheduled boat at nearby Miyanoshita Port.
If traveling by car, use a designated parking lot and do not park on nearby roads or private property.
Parking Lot No. 2 is unavailable on weekdays, so check the parking map before departure.
Travel from Suda Port via Awashima
Boats from Suda Port travel to Shishijima via Awashima.
Services to and from Suda Port require a transfer at Awashima, so follow the crew's instructions.
Travel time and routes differ from services departing Miyanoshita Port. If you use different ports for your outbound and return journeys, check the overland transportation as well.
Prepare for Crowds and Cancellations
When many passengers wish to board, capacity limits may prevent you from sailing, and island residents receive priority.
Especially during the flower season, arrive at the port early and check the day's operating information.
For alternatives such as a sea taxi, inquire about availability and fares in advance and do not plan on the assumption that one will always be available on site.
Prepare for a Day Walk and Arrange a Sample Route
There are not many shops or restrooms on the island, so preparation before departure determines how comfortably you can spend your time on Shishijima.
Do not cram in too many highlights. Leave room in your plan for waiting for the boat, resting on slopes, and changes in the weather.
Prepare the Basic Items
| Item | Reason | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks and snacks | Places to buy them on the island are limited | Take your waste home |
| Comfortable walking shoes | There are steep slopes, stairs, and mountain paths | Watch for slippery surfaces after rain |
| Hat and rain gear | Prepare for sun and changing weather | Choose items that will not blow away |
| Insect repellent and long sleeves | Prepare for summer mosquitoes and grassy areas | Check ingredients if you have sensitive skin |
| Cash and a charged device | Prepare for the boat and emergency contact | Allow for a lack of connectivity |
Allow About 2 Hours 30 Minutes for the Standard Route
A standard course linking Shishijima Port, Kusukusu Rest Area, the great camphor tree, Kusunokura Observatory, and the area around the port takes about 2 hours 30 minutes.
This is a reference based on a steady walking speed, and adding the flower fields or Yokoo no Tsuji will extend the time.
Shorten the route to suit your own walking pace so that you can return to the port at least 30 minutes before the return boat.
Do Not Rely Too Heavily on the Rest Area
Kusukusu Rest Area, housed in a renovated traditional home, is a place where you can stop during your walk.
However, its opening days and services may change.
Bring enough food and drink to manage even if it is closed, and when it is open, use it quietly as a small community facility.
Summary: Quietly Experience Nature and Daily Life on Shishijima
On Shishijima, you can walk between the great camphor tree designated a Prefectural Natural Monument, Tenku no Hanabatake tended by island residents, observatories overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, narrow alleys, and the scenery of the dual-grave custom.
At the same time, the island has conditions distinctive to a small island, including limited boat capacity and sailings, steep slopes, and few shops and restrooms.
Check the timetable and weather immediately before your trip, prepare drinks and walking equipment, and walk only within comfortable limits.
The flower fields, giant tree, graves, and village are all parts of the life and memory protected by the island's residents.
Observe proper manners when photographing and visiting, and enjoy your trip with the awareness that the island's quiet time should remain for the next visitors.
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