Exploring Nature on My Favorite Island: Shishijima Island

Welcome to my first blog

Hello, and nice to meet you! I want to talk about the nature of my favorite island. This island in the Seto Inland Sea is situated about 6 kilometers from a port in Takuma city in the west of Kagawa prefecture. The circumference is 3.8 kilometers. When I visited for the first time in 2018, my heart was impressed with the energy of nature on the island.

The name of the island 

It’s called Shishijima Island. It is 志々島 (Shishijimai) in Japanese. 志 (Shi) means “will.” We read 志 (Shi) as either shi or kokorozasi. 々 is used for repeating the same preceding character. 島 (Shima) means island. 

First impression of the island!

I think that you’ll feel the laid-back vibe once you arrive on the island. 

Over 1,000 people lived a long time ago. As the era goes on, people move away from this island, and in turn, the population is only about 20 people (as of September 2023). There are still a lot of old Japanese-style houses or ruined houses. There isn’t a vending machine, not to mention a convenience store. It goes without saying that there is no car. 

You can listen to only the sound of nature.

Tora san came to this island!

Tora san is a main character, played by Kiyoshi Atsumi(渥美清) on Otokowatsuraiyo（男はつらいよ), which was produced by Youji Yamada（山田洋二監督). Episode 46 of this series was shot on this island and released in 1993.

Let’s go to explore nature.

You walk up the steep stairs or narrow path. 

I was huffing and puffing up the stairs, but…                 

Luckily! On the way! I found a lovely woody bench.

Yeah! 

After that, walking up again! 

What a mystical world in the forest!

If you walk up for about 30 minutes from the port,

There is a tree. It has breathtaking scenery.

You’d be surprised how giant the tree is!

This is known as Ookusu (大楠) in Japanese. This is a Natural monument (天然記念物）of Kagawa prefecture. This camphor is 1,200 years old. The circumference is about 12 meters. The height is about 23 meters. 

There are mystical and energetic vibes around the tree. 

Without question, this tree brought me to the island on my first visit there. The silent mysticism atmosphere of this place brings me peace of mind and recharges my energy.

You can see the pictures below, but it doesn’t do justice. When you have a chance, please go to feel the vibes there. This will not disappoint!

Let’s go to the viewpoint! 

If you walk up about five minutes from a big tree, you can find a cute house made of wood.

You can enter the house and see a beautiful ocean from there.

Let’s head up to the top of the island 

If you walk up a narrow path for about 30 minutes more.

Finally! 

I arrived at the top of the island named Yokobono Tusuji (横尾の辻, pictured below)

The Height is 109 meters. You can enjoy looking around the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea with a 360-degree panorama view.

Walking around this island at only at low tide.

You can walk around for about less than two hours while walking on the beach or the rock. My friend who lived on the island recommended the activity to me. I felt anxious before starting to walk. However, the experience was better than what I expected. I believe nature brought me the courage to go forward. This was one of the good challenges this summer. 

Gift from nature on this island

When I winded down with a cup of coffee at a cafe after walking around, a rainbow caught me by surprise.

At the time, I met a few goats owned by an islander. A baby goat named Honyu (ホニュ) was getting closer to me. I told the baby goat, “Look! You can see a rainbow!” 

Then, out of the blue, as if she somehow understood my words, Honyu rose up the embarkment, like she was trying to get a better look. I captured this magical moment in the photo below! 

Relaxation time after walking

There is only one cafe on this island. It is Kusu Kusu near the port.

Only one guest house on this island

The guest house  is named Kinsenka (きんせんか).

This is an old Japanese-style house. There is no TV or Wi-Fi, but you can get away from the hustling and bustling city life. The silence after sunset and the crack of dawn is a gift from nature on this island. That’s the beauty of staying here.

Thank you for the heart of hospitality on the mystical island. 

I will go again.

Access

It takes 20 minutes to get to  Shishijima Island (志々島) from Miyanoshita Port (宮ノ下港). You can go to Miyanoshita port by taking a taxi or bus for about 10 minutes from Takuma station (JR line).

 There are only three  ferries a day. Please check Awashima Kisen Ferry Service (粟島汽船サービス).

Lastly

I only introduced the nature of this island today. There are other fascinating things on this island. I’d like to tell it someday again.

Thank you for reading my first blog. I deeply appreciate everyone who supported me.