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Yoshima Island on the Seto-Chuo Expressway's Seto Ohashi Bridge, connecting Honshu and Shikoku, is the only island where you can stop by private car. You can walk from the parking area to the island's settlement.
For over 400 years, it flourished as a "quarry island," and traces can still be seen throughout the island. Stone from neighboring Ko-Yoshima Island was used for Osaka Castle's stone walls during the Warring States period.
The Seto Ohashi Bridge viewed from below, appearing to sit atop residential roofs, along with the beautiful Seto Inland Sea and island scenery, is impressive. While the parking area offers an excellent viewpoint of the bridge up close, why not venture out for a scenic walk around Yoshima?
INDEX
- Experience Something Extraordinary in a Unique World
- The First Western-style Lighthouse in the Seto Inland Sea! The Round and Cute "Nabeshima Lighthouse"
- Like the Grand Canyon! The Former Quarry Site
- Experience Yoshima to the fullest! Island Udon from the Udon Prefecture
- Yoshima Exclusive! Setouchi Lemon Gelato - Only Available Here
- A Rare Island That Island Enthusiasts Should Visit at Least Once
Experience Something Extraordinary in a Unique World
Start your island exploration on foot from the Yoshima Parking Area, entering from the southern end of the observation plaza. On the way to the settlement, you’ll pass under bridges and through narrow tunnels… creating an exciting feeling of entering an unknown world. You might even encounter cute stray cats.
Within the settlement, many remnants of the “quarry island” remain, including impressive stone walls. The port’s bus stop waiting area uses an old ferry, creating a unique village landscape with the bridge as a backdrop.
Winding narrow slopes continue like a maze. Take your time walking through the historic townscape. Beyond the settlement, the Seto Ohashi Bridge and Seto Inland Sea spread before you. Savor this spectacular view that can only be appreciated by visiting in person!
The First Western-style Lighthouse in the Seto Inland Sea! The Round and Cute "Nabeshima Lighthouse"
The Nabeshima Lighthouse is the oldest in the Seto Inland Sea, first lit in 1872 and designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2022. It’s located on Nabeshima, which can be reached on foot from Yoshima. True to its name (“pot island”), Nabeshima is round like an upturned pot. The lighthouse itself is also round and cute, built of white stone.
The Nabeshima Lighthouse with the Seto Ohashi Bridge in the background is beloved by many people not only for its historical value but also as part of the beautiful landscape. The combination of the lighthouse and bridge is truly photogenic, making it a landmark of Kagawa Prefecture.
Nabeshima Lighthouse
Like the Grand Canyon! The Former Quarry Site
After enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and townscape (in the Urachijo area), let’s head to the former quarry site at the northern tip of the island, passing through the Yoshima Second Parking Area from the Shiohama settlement.
The quarry on Koyoshima, next to Yoshima, was one of the official quarries of the Edo Shogunate in the early Edo period, and stones were also quarried there for the reconstruction of Osaka Castle.
Later, from the Meiji to Showa periods, the quarrying industry flourished, with approximately 30 quarrying companies operating at its peak, becoming Yoshima’s major industry. The Seto Ohashi Bridge, which spans over the Grand Canyon-like former quarry site, creates a unique landscape that makes it appear as if the bridge is growing out of the mountain.
Experience Yoshima to the fullest! Island Udon from the Udon Prefecture
Island Udon featuring ingredients from Yoshima. In a single bowl of udon, you’ll find ingredients primarily sourced from Kagawa Prefecture, including octopus, clams, whelk, shrimp, okra, seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, kamaboko (fish cake), and Kagawa-grown green onions. This is an original menu item that can only be enjoyed here. For toppings, there’s a wide variety of tempura made with ingredients from all four Shikoku prefectures, befitting its location at the gateway to Shikoku. This makes for a perfect start or end to your udon tour.
Yoshima Exclusive! Setouchi Lemon Gelato - Only Available Here
The gelato mainly features flavors made from Kagawa Prefecture’s specialty products. In particular, the “Setouchi Lemon” gelato is exclusive to Yoshima. The soft-serve ice cream (“Seto no Mizutama Soft”) is a Yoshima Parking Area original product – it consists of soft-serve ice cream containing rare sugar, served on top of Kagawa’s famous “Oiri” (traditional rice confectionery) and Setouchi lemon jam.
A Rare Island That Island Enthusiasts Should Visit at Least Once
Located in the middle of the Seto-ohashi Bridge connecting Honshu and Shikoku, Yashima is a remote island that is a bit special to visit. It is a rare island that island lovers should visit at least once.
The beautiful sunset over the ocean is especially recommended.
There is a “spot with the most beautiful sunset in Japan” at Yashima SA, and if you buy some souvenirs, it is a perfect place to end your trip.
You can learn about the oldest lighthouse in the Seto Inland Sea and enjoy the gently flowing island time at ……. If you are going to cross the Seto-ohashi Bridge, why not take a walk around the island?
Why not make Yodo Island the destination of your next island trip?
