"Seto Inland Gems: A Two-Day Journey Across Shōdoshima"By Bike

Out line

Introduction
From Kobe Port to the port of Sakate on Shōdoshima, passengers board the "AOI" Jumbo Ferry, the largest ferry serving the island. Floating in the serene sapphire waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Shōdoshima stands as a condensed version of Shikoku, boasting mountains, valleys, terraced rice fields, white sandy beaches, hidden art exhibitions, small-town streets, and its own version of the 88-Temple Shikoku Pilgrimage. Shōdoshima seamlessly integrates culture, history, art, and the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea into its charming scenery and laid-back small-town pace.

The new ferry, "AOI," takes advantage of spacious passenger rooms and incorporates four design motifs representing the island: olive, soy sauce, stone, and terraced fields. This design creates a luxurious and playful resort atmosphere.

During the approximately one-hour journey from departure, the "AOI" ferry passes through the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge. This world-class suspension bridge, with a total length of 4 km and a central span (distance between pillars) of 1991 m, can be observed from afar and up close. The ferry's unique privilege is the opportunity to closely observe the "back side" of the bridge (regularly spaced iron cross braces) when passing directly beneath it, making it the only ferry departing from and arriving at the Hanshin Port to navigate the Akashi Strait during daylight.

A two-day journey across the island of Shōdoshima; a locale known for its sandy beaches, scenic mountain peaks, countless olive groves, and a place where the scent of soy-sauce is proof of a still thriving industry dedicated to preserving traditional production methods. During this course, guests will experience the cultural highlights of Shōdoshima responsible for its unique island culture.  

Day 1
After arriving to Shōdoshima from Kōbe, guests will embark on a cycling tour of the island which explores the culture of the islands. Stops will include a temple from Japan’s medieval era, works of local art hidden amid the nature of the island, as well as Yamaroku Soy-Sauce Brewery which keeps alive the traditional methods of soy-sauce production and Nakabuan, a major producer of sōmen, the thin, sundried noodles which Shōdoshima is well known for. The evening will be spent in the Ohkido Hotel overlooking the stunning blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea.

Day 2
In the morning, guests will visit Angel Road, a strip of sandy beach that connects to nearby islands floating amid the Seto Inland Sea according to the tides. Afterwards, guests will visit the Kasaneiwa Shrine marking the site of an old stone quarry as well as the Nakayama Senmaida Rice Terraces; a sprawling valley of fields responsible for feeding much of the island. After lunch at local restaurant, guests will then sample the flavors of the island by visiting a local gelato shop as well as a sake and beer brewer who incorporate the flavors of Shōdoshima into their product. After a second day of exploring all that Shōdoshima has to offer, guests will take the ferry back to Kōbe City.