Omishima, One of the Islands in the Seto Inland Sea

Bound by the islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Seto Inland Sea is scattered with more than 700 large and small islands and famed since ancient times for its scenic views that embody the “beauty of many islands”. The sea and its bordering coastline are collectively known as “Setouchi” and have become a popular destination for tourist spots and places to stay and eat.

The island of Omishima with a population of about 5,000 is home to Oyamazumi Shrine, which has a collection of samurai weapons and armor that includes many items designated as national treasures of Japan. It is considered the head shrine of shrines dedicated to "Oyamazumi no Kami" and has been enshrined nationwide as Mishima Shrine and Oyamazumi Shrine. As the god of mountains, it is also the god of the sea and travel, as well as the god of war, and has been revered by successive imperial courts and military commanders. The Tatara Ohashi Bridge connects Ikuchijima Island in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Omishima Island in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. It is part of the Shimanami Kaido Expressway, which connects the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. It is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Japan and ranks fifth in the world. At the time of its completion in 1999, it was the largest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and since it shares the same bridge type as the Normandy Bridge in France and was ranked first and second at the time of the completion of the Tatara Bridge, the two bridges have formed a sister bridge relationship. The island also has restaurants such as French etc., hot spring bathing and hotel facilities, popular as places to take a short rest or to stay overnight.

Setouchi truly offers as many different ways to have fun as it has islands. There are two great recommendable ways to enjoy the Setouchi area. The first way is by land, on a bicycle, enjoying scenic views along the way. The second one is by sea, using a cruise ship as your base and enjoying a wide variety of excursions while staying in luxury accommodation.