SHAMIJIMA: AN ISLAND OF LONG HISTORY AND ART AT THE FOOT OF SETO OHASHI BRIDGE

Today, Shamijima is known as one of the best places from which to view the grand Seto Ohashi Bridge, which connects the main islands of Honshu and Shikoku. Shamijima used to be a separate islet, today it is land-connected after extensive reclamation work. To illustrate its long inhabitation history, remains fromthe early Jomon period (beginning c.a. 131 century B.C.) to the Kofun period (c.a. mid 3rd to 7th century A.C.) can be found at Nakanda beach. This area is also known for its association with Manyo-shu, a collection of 10,000 leaves (the oldest anthology of Japanese poetry, compiled in 8th century) that represents the poet Kakinomoto Hitomaro, in which he expresses the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea.

Today, we can still appreciate the scenic beauty of the ever-changing Sea throughout the seasons, time of the day and according to the weather, alongside the enormous Seto Ohashi Bridge. Shamijima is not very big; a 90-minute walk, including the Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Museum, is generally ample time for exploring Shamijima. It is also one of the venues for the Setouchi Triennale 2016 during the spring season. Installation art, formerly displayed at a primary school site, as well as outdoor art pieces will appear at Shamijima during the season.

The Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Museum is dedicated to the works of Higashiyama Kaii, one of the most influential Japanese-style painters. Shamijima was selected as the location for his museum, due to the fact that Kaii's grandfather hailed from a nearby island. The museum's collection includes approximately 300 pieces of Kaii's work, primarily woodcut prints. The architecture of the museum, in harmony with the surrounding landscape, was designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. Among others, the view from the museum's café is definitely worth experiencing.

[Address] 224-13 Aza Minami-dori Shamijima Sakaide, Kagawa
[Phone] 087-744-1333
[Opening Hours] 9:00-17:00
[Closed] Mondays, Year End and New Year holidays. *If a national holiday falls on Monday, the museum is closed on the Tuesday the day after.

This park was established to commemorate the completion of the Seto Ohashi Bridge in 1988. The park is
home to “Seto Ohashi", The Seto Ohashi Commemorative Hall, which exhibits the history of constructing the grand bridge, Shibafu Koen (turf park) and Hama-ritsurin, surrounded by water and greenery. The park provides a good view of the Seto Inland Sea. The night on the weekend is also impressive.

[Address] 6-13 Midori-cho Bannosu Sakaide, Kagawa
[Phone] 087-745-2344
[Opening Hours] 9:00-17:00
[Closed] Mondays, Year End and New Year holidays. *If a national holiday falls on the Monday, the park is closed on the Tuesday the day after.

Nakanda beach, in the middle of the northeastern coast of Shamijima, has a huge nettle tree. During high tide, the water draws very close to a tiled promenade, making it a wonderful spot from which to view the clear inland water, as well as the entire Seto Ohashi Bridge. The promenade stretches past the beach, providing secluded areas within the landscape.

Completed in 1988, the Seto Ohashi Bridge connects Okayama Prefecture on Honshu with Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea. The bridge is double-tiered, with highways on the upper tier and a railway on the lower tier. Crossing the bridge on a day with clear weather allows for a journey that presents a vast view of the Inland Sea. On Saturdays and other national holidays, the bridge is lit up during evenings.

ACCESS By bus: 20 minutes from Sakaide Station, heading toward the Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum
By car: 15 minutes from Sakaide IC or 25 minutes from Sakaide Kita (North) IC

TRNASPORTATION ON THE ISLAND: Walking