Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.

Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa
, the beaches of Kumejima, snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors.

Mifuga Rock 

The Mifuga Rock is a unique rock formation along Kumejima's coast. Its size is over 20m.
It is possible to walk through the hole in the rock. 
Parking lot is located just beside the lock.

Facility Information
Hours: Always open 
Admission: Free

Access Information:
In Kumejima, there few public transportation service.
Rental car is the most convenient way to travel around the island.
 

Takamijima Island, a part of Shiwaku Island Chain in the Seto Inland Sea, is a small beautiful island with deep historic roots.
The name Takamijima literally translates to “high view island.” This may be explained by Mount Ryouzan which lies in the center of the island. 

Visitors may wish to visit the southern part of the island where the Hama District is.
Here is the Takami Hachiman Shrine. Visitors will find a unique graveyard here as well.
The graves on this island have a dual burial system.  
There is one grave which holds the remains of the deceased.
The other grave is for family members to visit and pay their respects to the deceased.
 

On the north end of the island was the Itamochi District.
However, due to the depopulation crisis affecting rural areas of Japan, no one lives in the Itamochi District anymore.
Most of the island residents, less than 100 people, live primarily in the small fishing village located on southeastern shore.
Visitors will find homes and fish factories north of the port with many friendly cats prowling nearby hoping for a sample or scrap.
 

Visitors wandering through the Ura District located 50 meters into the mountains will encounter the maze of narrow stone
walled alleys reflecting a time when foot traffic was all a village encountered.
The homes built during the Edo period are preserved here as well.
This traditional island scenery has earned this area a few appearances on the big screen.
However, most of the homes do not any people living there, making this district a ghost town as well.
 

Being one of the venues of the Setouchi Triennale, a modern art festival with multiple
locations among the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, Takamijima is working hard to revive its population and economy.
Hoping to rebrand itself as a home to contemporary art, two of the art pieces from the festivals have a permanent home on the island.
It is unfortunate, however, that the public viewing of the pieces is rare.
 

Access Information:
1.  Access to Tadotsu Station (nearest train station to Takamijima)
*from Marugame Station—Board the local JR train to Tadotsu Station.
  The one way journey is 5 minutes with a cost of 210 yen.
**from Takamatsu Station—Board the local or limited express JR train to Tadotsu Station.
  The one way journey is 30-55 minutes with a cost of 660 to 1930 yen.
**from Okayama Station—Board the local or limited express JR train to Tadotsu Station.
  The one way journey is 45-60 minutes with a cost of 1110 to 2810 yen.

2.  From Tadotsu Train Station to Tadotsu Port
**By foot—15-20 walk
**Taxi—Short Taxi Ride
3.  Tadotsu Port to Takamijima
By Ferry—There are 4 ferries daily to the Takamijima.
The one way journey will take 25 minutes with a cost of 480 yen.


 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.

Torinokuchi Rock 

It is located at the southern tip of Kumejima and named after bird's beak which they are supposed to resembles.
The rock is accessible by a nice walking path that runs along the coast and the
"whale viewing hill" with nice views onto the sea. 

Facility Information
Hours: Always open 
Admission: Free

Access Information:
In Kumejima, there few public transportation service.
Rental car is the most convenient way to travel around the island.


 

Seto Ohashi Bridge, the great bridge connecting Shikoku to Okayama Prefecture in Honshu,
has its southernmost “foot” on Shamijima Island  (沙弥島), located in the Seto Inland Sea off thecoast of Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku.

 Originally a tiny island on its own, Shamijima was connected to the larger landmass by reclaimed land in 1967.

This peaceful island boasts a small fishing village, museums, beaches, temples and of course,a magnificent view of the Seto Ohashi.
 

Though small, this island has many points of interest for its visitors.
The Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum displays the artwork of Higashiyama Kaii,
a landscape painter.

His artwork is rotated seasonally with two annual special exhibits held in the spring and autumn.
 

Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday),
December 27th to January 1st, and a few days before and after special exhibitions
Admission: 300 yen (regular exhibitions) 
510-610 yen (special exhibitions)
Level of English: Minimal
 

In addition, in the spring of 2013, Shamijima was selected as one of the venues of the 2013
Setouchi Triennale, a modern art festival with multiple display venues among the Seto InlandSea islands.
A few of the art pieces from the festival have a permanent home on the island for visitors to enjoy.
 

The Seto Ohashi Memorial Park is nearby the Higashiyama Kaii Art Museum.
This park commemorates the completion of the Seto Ohashi Bridge.
Within the park grounds, visitors can find the Seto Ohashi Memorial Hall which has photographs and
displays explaining the history and construction of the bridge. 
 

Seto Ohashi Memorial Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30) 
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday), December 29th to 31st
Admission: Free
Level of English: Good
 

The Seto Ohashi Tower is located on the west end of the memorial park.
The observation deck is 108 meters above the ground.
The observation deck revolves slowly offering visitors 360 degree views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge,
Seto Inland Sea, and Shamijima Island.
 

Seto Ohashi Tower
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30) 
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 800 yen
 

Access Information:
1. To Sakaide Station (the nearest train station to Shamijima)
*From Marugame Station, board the JR train for Sakaide Station.
There are frequent departures from the station. The one way journey will take 10 minutes with a cost of 220 yen.
*From Takamatsu Station, board the JR train for Sakaide Station.
There are frequent departures from the station. The one way journey will take 15-20 minutes with a cost of 450 yen.
*From Okayama Station, board the JR train for Sakaide Station.
There are 1-2 trains per hour from the station. The one way journey will take 40 minutes with a cost of 110 yen.

2. To Shamijima Island
From Sakaide Train Station, board the Sakaide City Bus to Shamijima.
There is one bus every 1-2 hours. The one way journey will take about 20 minutes with a cost of 370 yen.