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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
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