Spend time with islanders, enriching your soul in this three-day active tour around islands of Yumeshima Kaido and Ikuchi Island
Right around the midpoint between Hiroshima and Ehime, Kamijima Town sits on the east side of Shimanami Kaido. Kamijima is made up of 25 remote islands in the Seto inland Sea. Since they can be accessed only by boat, the pace of island life is leisurely and the residents are simple and warm. Quite a few from Japan and overseas were attracted by the charms and moved in.
Iwagi Bridge was opened in March 2022, connecting four of 25 islands - Yuge, Sashima, Ikina and Iwagi - with the big white bridge. Visit the unique, magnificent Seto Inland Sea’s islands and the heart-warming life of islanders with a cute scooter, electric kickboard or yacht. You do not want to miss super-fresh seafood, lemons, lemon pork, and many other local special goodies either.
In the evening of the second day, head for one of Shimanami Kaido’s islands, Ikuchi. You can stay at the new Japanese-style inn near Setoda Port, which was produced by the founder of Amanpuri. The next day, you can get on a chartered cruise and savor a picnic lunch on a virgin island.
3-Day Model Plan
1st Day: Yuge Island/Sashima Island/Ikina Island/ Iwagi Island
Begin the trip on Yuge Island. From the Yuge Port, walk 5 minutes to get to “Umi no Ekisha Flat,” where you join the scooter island tour hosted by “Kamijima Adventures.” Listening to Matt’s fun guide, go around the four islands, take in the 360° stunning view from Mt. Sekizen on Iwagi Island, then have some lemonade at “Nouson808,” a cafe run by a farm.
It would also be nice to walk from Yuge Port to “Setouchi Koryu-kan” and rent an electric kickboard or E-bike for your Yuge Island tour. Visit “Kitchen 313 Kamiyuge,” a bagel shop in a traditional Japanese home or "Yuge Shrine" on a delightful beach.
You can stay at “Inland Sea Resort Fespa,” the lovely hotel with an ocean view and huge bathroom, “Yuge no Yado,” a traditional Japanese home on Yuge Island with a homey full course of seafood, or at “Ikeuo Minshuku Yoshimasa” on Iwagi Island to taste the owner chef’s fabulous cuisine and take a good rest.
2nd Day: Yuge Island, Sashima Island and Ikuchi Island
The next day, learn Japan’s history and traditional culture. If you enjoy history, go to “Yuge no Sho” for a hands-on experience of traditional salt making on the island which used to prosper as the salt island. If you like art, we recommend “Sobe-Gama Tobo Dodo.” The Seto Inland area is famous for Bizen ware. Try your hands on clay and make a cup or dish.
In the afternoon, ride a catamaran with Sam of “Shimatabi Yachts” on a relaxing cruise around the Seto Inland Sea. Immerse in the comfort of a boat sailing in the wind and step on the pristine beach of an uninhabited island.
For the night, go to Ikuchi Island and stay at the renowned quality Japanese inn “Azumi Setoda,” developed by the founder of Aman. If you prefer a casual place, “yubune” is in the same hotel chain and has an adjoining public bathhouse. It does not serve dinner, but you can walk about 7 minutes and taste the famous octopus cuisine at “Chidori.”
3rd Day: Ikuchi Island
A recognized Japanese painter, Ikuo Hirayama, is from Ikuchi Island. After breakfast, visit "Kojo Temple", which he depicted in his painting and gaze on the national treasure, three-storied pagoda, and Setoda’s sea. On the way back, it will be fun to stop by at Shiomachi Shopping Street, chat with the friendly locals, and look around the well-known Setoda lemons, wines and sweets made of lemons, etc. for a souvenir.
After a walk, hop on a chartered cruise and embark on " the Uninhabited Island cruise & Picnic Lunch." Leaving white foam, go under the Tatara Bridge and head for Tsuba Island. On the beach facing the enchanting islands of Seto Inland Sea, taste the colorful lunch with generous local vegetables and take time to enjoy your drink.
How to get to Yuge Island/Sashima Island/Ikina island/Iwagi Island
By Airplane
From Hiroshima:
The airport limousine bus will take you to Mihara Pier in 30 min. where you switch to Habu Commercial Boat and ride for 35 min. to Innoshima Habu Port. You can stay on the boat and get to Tateishi Port on Ikina Island in 4 min. For other destinations, get off the boat at Innoshima Habu Port. Nagae Ferry will take you to Nagae Port on Iwagi Island in 15 min. Geiyo Ferry will reach Ikina Port on Ikina Island in 5 min. or Yuge Port on Yuge island in 5 min., Sashima Port on Sashima Island in 6 min., then arrive at Iwagi Port on Iwagi Island in 7 min.
From Shikoku:
2 options from Matsuyama Airport to Imabari Pier. Take a limousine bus for 15 min. to JR Matsuyama Station. Ride a super express for 40 min. to Imabari Station. Switch to local bus and ride for 5min. to Imabari Pier. Another way is to take a limousine for 25 min. to Matsuyama-shi Station and ride a bus for 80 min. to Imabari Pier.
From Imabari Pier, ride Geiyo Ferry for 50 min. to Iwagi Port on Iwagi Island, in another 7 min. to Sashima Port on Sashima Island and in 6 more minutes to Yuge Port on Yuge Island, then in 5 min., you will reach Ikina Port on ikina Island.
By Shinkansen
From Fukuyama Station:
Ride Chugoku Bus (Citrus Liner) for 70 min. to Habuko-mae stop where you switch to a ferry. Habu Commercial Boat will take you to Tateishi Port on Ikina Island in 4 min. Nagae Ferry will reach Nagae Port on Iwagi Island in 15 min. Geiyo Ferry will get to Ikina Port on Ikina Island in 5 min. or Yuge Port on Yuge Island in 5 min., to Sashima Port on Sashima Island in 6 min., and in 7 min. to Iwagi Port on Iwagi Island. Or if you walk from Habuko-mae stop for 5 min. to Nagasaki Pier, Ikina Ferry will take you to Tateishi Port on Ikina Island in 3 min.
From Mihara Station:
Walk for 5 min. to Mihara Port and ride Habu commercial Boat for 40 min. to Tateishi Port on Ikina Island.
By Car
From Hiroshima via Nishi Seto Expressway:
Innoshima Kita Interchange:
Drive for 18 min. to Nagasaki Pier and ride Ikina Ferry for 3 min. to reach Tateishi Port on Ikina Island.
Drive for 20 min. to Karouto Port and ride Karouto Ferry for 7 min. to Kamiyuge Port on Yuge Island.
Or you can drive for 15 min. to Innoshima Habu Port and ride Nagae Ferry for 15 min. to Nagae Port on Iwagi Island.
Ikuchijima-Kita Interchange:
Drive for 5 min. to Sunoe Port and ride Sankoh Line for 7 min. to Okogi Port on Iwagi Island.
From Shikoku via Nishi Seto Expressway:
Innoshima Minami Interchange:
Drive for 12 min. to Nagasaki Pier and ride Ikina Ferry for 3 min. to Tateishi Port on Ikina Island.
Drive for 20 min. to Karouto Port and ride Karouto Ferry for 7 min. to Kamiyuge Port on Yuge Island.
Or you can drive for 10 min. to Innoshima Habu Port and ride Nagae Ferry for 15 min. to Nagae Port on Iwagi Island.
Ikuchijima-Kita Interchange:
Drive for 10 min. to Sunoe Port and ride Sankoh Line for 7 min. to Okogi Port on Iwagi Island.
