Shodoshima

Shōdoshima (小豆島) is an island located in the Inland Sea of Japan. There are three main towns on the island: Tonoshō, Ikeda, and Uchinomi, comprising the district of Shōzu. The island was the first area of Japan to successfully grow olives, and is sometimes known as "Olive Island".

Shōdoshima is home to Dobuchi Strait (土渕海峡 Dobuchi Kaikyō) the world's narrowest strait, 9.93 meters at its narrowest.

Geography

Shōdoshima is part of Kagawa Prefecture and is located north of the prefectural capital Takamatsu. It has an area of 153.30 km² and a coastline of 126 km. It is the 19th largest island in Japan, 2nd largest in the Inland Sea.

Frequest ferries run to the island from Takamatsu and Okayama. Ferries run infrequently to Osaka and Kōbe as well.

History

Shōdoshima was once known as Azukishima and was part of Kibi Province, given to Mimasaka Province, and finally considered part of Kagawa prefecture.

Tourism

Shōdoshima is a popular destination for domestic tourism in Japan. In addition to natural features such as the Dobuchi Strait and the Kankakei Gorge (寒霞渓 Kankakei), Shōdoshima is famous as the setting for the novel 24 Eyes (二十四の瞳), written by Tsuboi Sakae (壺井栄) and later turned into a novel. Shōdoshima is also known for its olives and wild monkeys. In addition, tourists are attracted to a miniature version of the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Milos, Greece is Shōdoshima's sister island.