Shiwaku Islands
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The or are an
archipelago An archipelago ( ), sometimes called an island group or island chain, is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands, or sometimes a sea containing a small number of scattered islands. Examples of archipelagos include: the Indonesian Archi ...
in the
Seto Inland Sea The , sometimes shortened to the Inland Sea, is the body of water separating Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū, three of the four main islands of Japan. It serves as a waterway connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Japan. It connects to Osaka ...
, between the larger Japanese islands of
Honshu , historically called , is the largest and most populous island of Japan. It is located south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyūshū across the Kanmon Straits. The island separ ...
and
Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands of Japan. It is long and between wide. It has a population of 3.8 million (, 3.1%). It is south of Honshu and northeast of Kyushu. Shikoku's ancient names include ''Iyo-no-futana-shima'' (), '' ...
. The group is situated between
Okayama Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Okayama Prefecture has a population of 1,906,464 (1 February 2018) and has a geographic area of 7,114 Square kilometre, km2 (2,746 sq mi). Okayama Prefectur ...
and
Kagawa Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Shikoku. Kagawa Prefecture has a population of 949,358 (as of 2020) and is the smallest prefecture by geographic area at . Kagawa Prefecture borders Ehime Prefecture to the southwest and Tok ...
in the western
Bisan Seto In Malaysian folklore, the Bisaan (meaning "woman") is a female nature spirit or deity widely venerated among the Malay and Jakun natives. It is believed that every species of tree has a unique spirit presiding over it, and the Bisan is said t ...
and consists of 28 islands of various sizes. On the Okayama side lie the
Kasaoka Islands The are a group of 31 islands in the Seto Inland Sea of Okayama Prefecture. They are part of the city of Kasaoka. The seven inhabited islands in the group are: * Takashima Island 高島 (岡山県笠岡市) * Shiraishi Island is an island i ...
. The name derives from or both meaning ''boiling seawater to get salt''. However, the name may also refer to rough water created by the confluence of tides that mix around the islands.
Honjima
Hiroshima is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 1,199,391. The gross domestic product (GDP) in Greater Hiroshima, Hiroshima Urban Employment Area, was US$61.3 billion as of 2010. Kazumi Matsui h ...
Ushijima
Yoshima
Teshima is an island located in the inland sea of Japan, between Naoshima and Shōdoshima islands, and is part of Kagawa Prefecture. It has an area of and a population of about 1,000 people. Teshima is one of the locations of the Setouchi Triennal ...
Oteshima
Takamijima
Shishijima
Sanagishima
Awashima


History

Since ancient times, the islands have been an important point for maritime transport.


Islands


Awashima

粟島, part of Mitoyo, populated. In Meiji 30 (1897), the National Mercantile Marine School was established here and subsequently many talented men were sent into the shipping industry.


Bentenjima

弁天島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.


Budojima

歩渡島, This island is connected to Hitsuishi-jima. The name (歩 = walk, 渡 = cross) derives from the fact that it is possible to cross between the islands.


anukiHiroshima

広島, part of Marugame and one of the seven "salt boiling islands". area: 11.66 km², circumference: 18.5 km. Hiroshima is the largest of the Shiwaku Islands and is sometimes called Sanuki-Hiroshima to differentiate it from Hiroshima Prefecture on the main Japanese island Honshu. The China Sea Directory from 1873The China Sea Directory Vol. IV By Navigating Lieutenant Frederick W. Jarrad, R.N. Printed for the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, 1873. In the preface it notes Descriptive information of the coasts of Japan and of the intricate parts of the Inland Sea has been obtained from the surveys and remarks of Commanders Ward, Bullock, Brooker, and St. John. contains a description of the island and recommends Enoura Bay (referred to as Ino Ura) as an anchorage: ‘The outline of Hiroshima is very irregular, and its sharp rocky ridges are very conspicuous. The summit of the island, which presents southward the appearance of an almost perpendicular cliff, is 990 feet above the sea. On the south shore is Ino Ura, a small bay, on the shores of which are several small villages, the valleys around which are cultivated. The eastern hills are covered with brushwood, but the western ridges are thickly wooded. In the ravines, the sides of which are rocky precipices, numerous deer are found. Ino Ura is a convenient anchorage for vessels passing through the Seto Inland Sea, and is generally chosen as a night anchorage, especially when bound from Hiogo to the westward, it being within convenient distance, and can be arrived at before nightfall. Care must be taken not to approach the shore too closely, as the head of the bay shoals very suddenly but good holding ground will be found here out of the strength of the tides.’ On the island is the grave of
Frank Toovey Lake Frank Toovey Lake (1849–1868) died while serving in Japan with the British Royal Navy. After his death at the age of 19, he was interred on the island of Sanuki Hiroshima in the Seto Inland Sea. Since his burial – and until the present d ...
, a Victorian sailor who died here in 1868 while part of
Richard Henry Brunton Richard Henry Brunton FRGS MICE (26 December 1841 – 24 April 1901) was the so-called " Father of Japanese lighthouses". Brunton was born in Muchalls, Kincardineshire, Scotland. He was employed by the government of Meiji period Japan as ...
's survey party.


Hitsuishijima

櫃石島, The island takes its name from a megalith in the shape of a chest (jap: 櫃) at its southern part. area: 0.85 km², circumference: 5.4 km, part of Sakaide. The principal industry on the island is collection of shellfish by diving and trawl fishing. In mid January the yearly peach festival is held on the compounds of the


Honjima

本島, part of Marugame, situated in the center of the Shiwaku Island group. area: 6.74 km², circumference: 16.4 km. It is still the most populous place within the Shiwaku Islands.


Famous places and historic spots

- designated as of Japan **preservation centre of stores and houses on the street () **contact house () **document house () ** - 年寄り吉田彦右衛門の墓は日本国指定の史跡(史跡「塩飽勤番所」の附指定) **Kasajima castle ruins - historical landmark of Kagawa prefecture ** - wooden sedentary statues of
Amitābha Amitābha ( sa, अमिताभ, IPA: ), also known as Amitāyus, is the primary Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism. In Vajrayana Buddhism, he is known for his longevity, discernment, pure perception, purification of aggregates, and deep awarene ...
,
Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in Lu ...
, an image of , 500-year-old Japanese Ternstroemia (Ternstroemia gymnanthera) tree, roof tiles from the
Tenbun , also known as Tenmon, was a after ''Kyōroku'' and before '' Kōji''. This period spanned from July 1532 through October 1555. The reigning emperor was . Change of era * 1532 : At the request of Ashikaga Yoshiharu, the 12th ''shōgun'' of the ...
era inscribed with letters and pictures which have been designated as cultural asset of Marugame ** ** * - build in 1798, reconstructed in 1862, historical site of Japan * - small theater built in 1862, situated on the grounds of the * - The wooden statue of Kannon boddisattva, the Acala statue、 Vaisravana statue and the line carved Jūichimen Kannon mirror image are all Important Cultural Properties of Japan. * - The wooden sedentary statue of the
Bhaisajyaguru Bhaiṣajyaguru ( sa, भैषज्यगुरु, zh, t= , ja, 薬師仏, ko, 약사불, bo, སངས་རྒྱས་སྨན་བླ), or ''Bhaishajyaguru'', formally Bhaiṣajya-guru-vaiḍūrya-prabhā-rāja ("Medicine Master ...
Buddha is an important cultural property of Japan. * - designated Cultural Property of the city, double warehouse constructed at the end of the Edo period. *Honjima Tomari swimming area - designated by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 pleasant bathing areas, specially selected part of the island * - location for the movie *


Iwakurojima

岩黒島, part of
Sakaide, Kagawa 270px, Sakaide City Hall 270px, Aerial view of Sakaide city center is a city located in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 49,439 in 21347 households and a population density of and a population density of 530 p ...
, populated. The
Great Seto Bridge The is a series of double deck bridges connecting Okayama and Kagawa prefectures in Japan across a series of five small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Built over the period 1978–88, it is one of the three routes of the Honshū–Shikoku Br ...
passes across this island. area: 0.16 km², circumference: 1.6 km. The Iwakurojima Interchange on the down-line (away from Tokyo) of the
Seto-Chuo Expressway The is a series of double deck bridges connecting Okayama and Kagawa prefectures in Japan across a series of five small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Built over the period 1978–88, it is one of the three routes of the Honshū–Shikoku Br ...
can be used exclusively by islanders by means of a card to unlock the gate. There is also an emergency phone. Tourists and other people can use an elevator from the bus stop on top of the bridge to access the island.


Kamimashima

上真島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.


Karashima

唐島, part of Mitoyo, unpopulated.


Karasugojima

烏小島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.


Kohadakajima

小裸島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.


Koseijima

小瀬居島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.


Koyoshima

小与島, part of Sakaide, populated. area: 0.24 km², circumference: 1.3 km.


Mitsugojima

三つ子島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated. The
Great Seto Bridge The is a series of double deck bridges connecting Okayama and Kagawa prefectures in Japan across a series of five small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Built over the period 1978–88, it is one of the three routes of the Honshū–Shikoku Br ...
passes across this island.


Murokijima

室木島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.


Nabeshima

鍋島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated. The island is connected to Yoshima via a mole. In 1872 a lighthouse constructed by
Richard Henry Brunton Richard Henry Brunton FRGS MICE (26 December 1841 – 24 April 1901) was the so-called " Father of Japanese lighthouses". Brunton was born in Muchalls, Kincardineshire, Scotland. He was employed by the government of Meiji period Japan as ...
was erected on the island. The lighthouse is now unused and is open to the public generally once a year. However, it is possible to reach the lighthouse and view the exterior.


Nagashima

長島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.


Nizurajima

二面島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.


Ōhadakajima

大裸島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.


Oteshima

小手島, part of Marugame. Popular place for catching
Japanese amberjack The Japanese amberjack or yellowtail, ''Seriola quinqueradiata'', is a species of jack fish in the family Carangidae. It is native to the northwest Pacific Ocean, ranging from China (called ), Korea (called ), and Japan to Hawaii. It is greatly ...
or
Sand lance A sand lance or sandlance is a fish belonging to the family Ammodytidae. Several species of sand lances are commonly known as "sand eels", though they are not related to true eels. Another variant name is launce, and all names of the fish are ...
(
Ammodytes personatus ''Ammodytes'' is a genus of sand lances native to the northern oceans. Species There are currently 8 recognized species in this genus: * '' Ammodytes americanus'' DeKay, 1842 (American sand lance) * ''Ammodytes dubius'' J. C. H. Reinhardt, 18 ...
).area: 0.6 km², circumference: 3.8 km.


Sanagishima

佐柳島, part of
Tadotsu 270px, Shorinji Kempo head dōjō is a town located in Nakatado District, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 22,124 in 10365 households and a population density of 270 persons per km². The total area of the ...
. area: 1.83 km², circumference: 6.6 km.


Seijima

瀬居島,


Shamijima

沙弥島. Due to land reclamation of the Sakaide industrial area in December 1967, the island became connected to the adjacent land. Adjoining, the island services the Seto Ohashi Memorial Park. In summer the island is crowded by guests who come to bathe in the sea. From the
Jōmon period The is the time in Japanese history, traditionally dated between   6,000–300 BCE, during which Japan was inhabited by a diverse hunter-gatherer and early agriculturalist population united through a common Jōmon culture, which reached a c ...
on, a salt making culture developed. At earthenware and other finds from that time have been excavated. The
Man'yōshū The is the oldest extant collection of Japanese (poetry in Classical Japanese), compiled sometime after AD 759 during the Nara period. The anthology is one of the most revered of Japan's poetic compilations. The compiler, or the last in ...
poet
Kakinomoto no Hitomaro Kakinomoto no Hitomaro (柿本 人麻呂 or 柿本 人麿; – ) was a Japanese ''waka'' poet and aristocrat of the late Asuka period. He was the most prominent of the poets included in the ''Man'yōshū'', the oldest ''waka'' anthology, but ap ...
paid a visit to the island and composed a
tanka is a genre of classical Japanese poetry and one of the major genres of Japanese literature. Etymology Originally, in the time of the '' Man'yōshū'' (latter half of the eighth century AD), the term ''tanka'' was used to distinguish "short p ...
and tanka appendage. According to the novelist from Sakaide, Kakinomoto no Hitomaro had a temple/monument erected on Nakanda beach which in 1936 was moved to its present location on at . On 9 April 2005 the Kagawa Prefectural Higashiyama Kaii Art Museum, housing the collection of
Kaii Higashiyama was a Japanese writer and artist particularly renowned for his Nihonga style paintings. As one of the most popular artists in post-war Japan, Higashiyama was awarded the Japan Art Academy Prize in 1956 and the Order of Culture in 1969. Biograph ...
was opened.


Shimomashima

下真島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.


Shiraishi

白石, part of Marugame, unpopulated.


Shishijima

志々島, part of Mitoyo. area: 0.74 km², circumference: 3.4 km.


Takamijima

高見島, part of Tadotsu, populated. area: 2.33 km², circumference: 6.4 km.


Teshima

手島, part of Marugame, populated. area: 3.41 km², circumference: 10.9 km.


Ushijima

牛島, part of Marugame, populated. One of seven islands on which salt is extracted from seawater. area: 0.7 km², circumference: 4.2 km.


Wasashima

羽佐島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.


Yoshima

与島, part of Sakaide and one of the seven "salt boiling islands". *area: 1.10 km², circumference: 6.9 km. The island is crossed by the Great Seto Bridge and a
rest area A rest area is a public facility located next to a large thoroughfare such as a motorway, expressway, or highway, at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting onto secondary roads. Other names include motorway servi ...
("Yoshima parking area") has been built along the highway. There are in total two parking lots at the rest area. From there the harbour in the northern part of the island can be reached. At Yoshima-kō there is a Fisherman's Wharf with restaurants and places selling seafood and souvenirs. It is also possible to go with the
Japanese warship Kanrin Maru ''Kanrin Maru'' was Japan's first sail and screw-driven steam corvette (the first steam-driven Japanese warship, ''Kankō Maru'', was a side-wheeler). She was ordered in 1853 from the Netherlands, the only Western country with which Japan ha ...
on a sightseeing pleasure cruise of the Great Seto Bridge. Public-transit buses and authorized islanders can access the island road 274, "Yoshima line", via a personal card. Non-islanders with car may only get as far as the two parking lots as the gate is closed for them. The southern part of the island can be reached by public bus.


References

{{Authority control Islands of Kagawa Prefecture Islands of Okayama Prefecture Archipelagoes of Japan Islands of the Seto Inland Sea Archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean