Seto Inland Sea - Japanese water body between Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū
The Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海 Seto Naikai) is the body of water between the Japan islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu.
Islands
- East
- Awaji Island — Kansai's stepping stone to Shikoku
- Central
- Shodoshima — the island of olives
- Naoshima — devoted to contemporary art
- Inujima — a new centre of art.
- Teshima — yet another art-island.
- Shiraishijima — quiet beach island with an international villa
- Megijima — AKA "Ogre Island".
- Ogijima — picturesque, rocky island.
- Honjima
- Takamijima
- Awashima
- Ibukijima
- West
Understand
Many of Japan's largest cities border the Inland Sea, and the countless small islands in the Sea are perfect for off-the-beaten-track exploration.
Get in
Get around
By boat
Boats are the natural way to travel around the sea. There are countless services, most running only short distances; check under your destination of interest for details.
By car
After billions of dollars in construction works, the Seto Inland Sea is now crossed by no less than three stupendously huge bridges. From east to west:
- Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, with the longest suspended span in the world, between Akashi (off Kobe, Honshu) and Awaji
- Seto-Ohashi Bridge, a set of six bridges connected Okayama (Honshu) to Kagawa (Shikoku)
- Shimanami Kaido, from Hiroshima (Honshu) to Ehime (Shikoku)
By train
The only train connection across the Inland Sea is via the Seto-Ohashi Bridge from Okayama to Takamatsu and onward. Services are fast and frequent, although no Shinkansen service is available.