Introducing The Inland Sea
The Inland Sea (Seto-nai-kai) offers a first-hand experience of a part of Japan that, though rapidly changing, is still much slower-paced than the fast-moving metropolitan centres. It’s bound by the major islands of Honshū, Kyūshū and Shikoku. Four narrow channels connect it with the ocean. To the west the Kanmon-kaikyō strait separates Honshū from Kyūshū and leads to the Sea of Japan; to the south, leading to the Pacific, the Hoya-kaikyō separates Kyūshū from Shikoku; at the other end of Shikoku, the Naruto-kaikyō and Kitan-kaikyō straits flow each side of Awaji-shima.
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The most interesting area of the Inland Sea is the island-crowded stretch from Takamatsu (Shikoku) and Okayama west to Hiroshima. There are said to be more than 3000 islands and islets.
The Inland Sea can be explored by ferry or sometimes bus from the main islands. There are now three bridge systems linking Honshū with Shikoku; the westernmost, known as Setonai Shimanami Kaidō, crosses 10 bridges and nine islands.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Where to go from Hiroshima - 3 days
by Kaminoge 10 August 2011
Places of interest between Hiroshima and Kyoto include Onomichi, Tomo-no-ura, Okayama, Kurashiki, Takahashi and Himeji. Islands in the…
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RE: Japan Forum: Dilemma-18 days in Japan stick 2 Honshu or squeeze in islands?
by Kaminoge 21 July 2011
By islands, are you referring to Okinawa? Japan has plenty of islands after all, including those in the Inland Sea near Hiroshima/Miyajima.…
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Naoshima Overrated?
by juliallc 07 April 2011
Hi there, I am planning my 1st trip to Central and Western Honshu and Shikoku this autumn. I read about this art island called Naoshima…
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