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34°22′15.34″N133°37′7.73″E / 34.3709278°N 133.6188139°E /34.3709278; 133.6188139TheShiwaku Islands (塩飽諸島,Shiwaku-shotō) orShiwaku-jima (塩飽島) are anarchipelago in theSeto Inland Sea, between the larger Japanese islands ofHonshu andShikoku.[1]
The group is part ofKagawa Prefecture and consists of 28 islands of various sizes. To the northwest, inOkayama Prefecture lie theKasaoka Islands. The name derives from shioyaku (塩焼く) or shiowaku (潮湧く) both meaningboiling seawater to get salt. However, the name may also refer to rough water created by the confluence of tides that mix around the islands.
Since ancient times, the islands have been an important point for maritime transport.[2]
粟島, part ofMitoyo, populated. In Meiji 30 (1897), the National Mercantile Marine School was established here and subsequently many talented men were sent into the shipping industry.[3]
弁天島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.
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.
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 1873[4] 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 ofFrank Toovey Lake, a Victorian sailor who died here in 1868 while part ofRichard Henry Brunton's survey party.
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 Ōji-Shrine (王子神社,Ōji-jinja)
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.
Kasajima (笠島) - designated asPreservation District of Groups of Traditional Buildings (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区) of Japan
岩黒島, part ofSakaide, Kagawa, populated. TheGreat Seto Bridge passes across this island. area: 0.16 km², circumference: 1.6 km.
TheIwakurojima Interchange on the down-line (away from Tokyo) of theSeto-Chuo Expressway 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.
上真島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.
唐島, part of Mitoyo, unpopulated.
烏小島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.
小裸島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.
小瀬居島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.
小与島, part of Sakaide, populated. area: 0.24 km², circumference: 1.3 km.
三つ子島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated. TheGreat Seto Bridge passes across this island.
室木島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.
鍋島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated. The island is connected to Yoshima via a mole. In 1872 a lighthouse constructed byRichard Henry Brunton 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.
長島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.
二面島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.
大裸島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.
小手島, part of Marugame. Popular place for catchingJapanese amberjack orSand lance (Ammodytes personatus).area: 0.6 km², circumference: 3.8 km.
佐柳島, part ofTadotsu. area: 1.83 km², circumference: 6.6 km.
瀬居島,
沙弥島. Due to land reclamation of the Sakaide Bannosu (番の州) industrial area in December 1967, the island became connected to the adjacent land.Adjoining, the island services theSeto Ohashi Memorial Park. In summer the island is crowded by guests who come to bathe in the sea. From theJōmon period on, a salt making culture developed. At Nakanda beach (ナカンダ浜,Nakanda-hama) earthenware and other finds from that time have been excavated.
TheMan'yōshū poetKakinomoto no Hitomaro paid a visit to the island and composed atanka and tanka appendage.According to the novelistNakagawa Yoichi (中河与一) from Sakaide, Kakinomoto no Hitomaro had a temple/monument erected on Nakanda beach which in 1936 was moved to its present location on Osogoe beach (オソゴエの浜) at(人麻呂岩).
On 9 April 2005 theKagawa Prefectural Higashiyama Kaii Art Museum, housing the collection ofKaii Higashiyama was opened.
下真島, part of Marugame, unpopulated.
白石, part of Marugame, unpopulated.
志々島, part of Mitoyo. area: 0.74 km², circumference: 3.4 km.
高見島, part of Tadotsu, populated. area: 2.33 km², circumference: 6.4 km.
手島, part of Marugame, populated. area: 3.41 km², circumference: 10.9 km.
牛島, part ofMarugame, populated. One of seven islands on which salt is extracted from seawater. area: 0.7 km², circumference: 4.2 km.
羽佐島, part of Sakaide, unpopulated.
与島, part of Sakaide and one of the seven "salt boiling islands".
The island is crossed by the Great Seto Bridge and arest area ("Yoshima parking area") has been built along the highway.
There are in total two parking lots at the rest area. From there the harbour Yoshima-kō (与島港) 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 theJapanese warship Kanrin Maru 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.
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