Seto Inland Sea Guide: Island Hopping Between Honshu and Shikoku
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
A stunning archipelago of 700+ islands — art, cycling, and coastal beauty between Honshu and Shikoku.
A stunning archipelago of 700+ islands — art, cycling, and coastal beauty between Honshu and Shikoku.
Why the Seto Inland Sea?
- Art islands — Naoshima, Teshima, Inujima
- Cycling — Shimanami Kaido (70 km bridge route)
- Island hopping — ferries connect everything
- Coastal beauty — calm waters, mountain backdrops
- Less crowded — far fewer tourists than mainland
The Islands
Naoshima (Art Island)
The world-famous art island.
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Benesse House | Museum + hotel |
| Chichu Museum | Underground museum, Monet |
| Yayoi Kusama's Pumpkin | Iconic yellow pumpkin |
| Art House Project | Art installations in houses |
| Bike around | Rent a bike, explore freely |
Teshima
Quiet, beautiful, artistic.
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Teshima Art Museum | Stunning concrete structure |
| Les Archives du Coeur | Christian Boltanski installation |
| Rice terraces | KataFTA, beautiful sunset |
| Orange port | Art installations |
Inujima
Small, industrial-art fusion.
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Inujima Seirensho | Art museum in old copper refinery |
| Inujima Life Garden | Outdoor art installations |
Shimanami Kaido
60 km cycling route across 6 islands.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | 60 km (one way) |
| Duration | 6–8 hours (leisurely) |
| Start | Onomichi (Honshu) |
| End | Imabari (Shikoku) |
| Bike rental | Available at both ends |
| Difficulty | Easy–moderate |
Getting There
| From | To | Transport | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okayama | Naoshima | Ferry | 50 min |
| Takamatsu | Naoshima | Ferry | 40 min |
| Hiroshima | Onomichi | Shinkansen | 1 hour |
| Onomichi | Imabari | Ferry + bike | 6–8 hours |
Tips
- Rent a bike — for Naoshima and Shimanami Kaido
- Book Benesse House early — limited availability
- Check ferry schedules — some routes limited
- Budget 3–5 days — for island hopping
- Visit in spring or autumn — perfect weather
- Try Seto-style udon — chewy noodles
- Bring cash — some islands don't accept cards
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