Shodoshima: Olive Island’s Slow Charm and Simple Pleasures
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Shodoshima, Japan’s “Olive Island,” offers a peaceful, romantic escape with mild weather, olive groves, and scenic coastal views. The island (153 km²) became Japan’s first successful olive cultivation site in 1908 and today features olive parks with 2,000 trees, Mediterranean-style landscapes, and olive-themed cuisine. Visitors can stroll the Olive Park (where fans can pose with broom props from the live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service), explore traditional soy sauce (shoyu) breweries aged in cedar barrels for years, and taste unique treats like soy-sauce ice cream. Natural attractions include the dramatic Kankakei Gorge—reachable by cable car for sweeping vistas—and seasonal spots such as Angel Road (a sandbar that appears at low tide). Cultural sites include the film-set village of 24 Eyes and the millennium Olive Terrace wellness garden with plans for olive-leaf steam saunas and meditation rooms. Practical tips: ferries and high-speed boats run between Takamatsu and Tonosho ports; on-island transport includes Olive Bus, rental bikes via the “Hello Cycling” app, and rental cars that can be taken on ferries.
