THE SETOUCHI STORY vol.3

vol.3

Precious scenery of the Seto Inland Sea
with its beautiful archipelago

Wishing you would realize that
it is not an ordinary place

Ms. FUNO, Hiroko

Setouchi Hot Planning

Mr. HAYASHI, Takayasu

Secretary General of the Setouchi City Tourism Association

Mr. HAYASHI, Takayasu of the Setouchi City Tourism Association and Ms. FUNO, Hiroko of Setouchi Hot Planning are working hard to promote
tourism and revitalize the local community in Setouchi City. In this interview, we asked them about the charm of Ushimado located within the
Setonaikai National Park, their efforts there, and their roles and thoughts in the local community.

The Ushimado area facing the Seto Inland Sea is full of fascinating things to know!
HAYASHI : Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked for a travel

agency and was involved in tourism in Setouchi City as a person
in charge of regional revitalization and regional exchange
projects by the local government. So I knew that Ushimado waswithin the Setonaikai National Park, and I was in a position to

add value to it as one of the tourism products. The motivation

for my job change to the Setouchi City Tourism Association isthat inbound tourism in Setouchi City was gaining momentum
and that the islands in Seto Inland Sea were ranked 7th in the“52 Places to Go in 2019,” a travel destination recommended by

the New York Times to its readers, the only one in Japan. I wasborn and raised in a place without sea, so the Seto Inland Sea isvery special to me.

FUNO : It was about 11 years ago that I became more familiar
with Ushimado. It all started when I was involved in organizing a

proﬁle13

concert at a music hall renovated from a rice warehouse ownedby the Higashihattori family, a wealthy local merchant. From
there, I formed connections with the people of Ushimado andhave been working to revitalize the community. Although I had

been working there, I did not know until recently that everything

within sight of Ushimado Port is the Setonaikai National Park. I

had a strong image that national parks should be surrounded bynature and well-maintained. Ushimado is a place where people
live day to day, with houses, fields, and businesses, and it isclosely connected to their daily lives. So it was an “unexpected”
place for me.

HAYASHI : Although Ushimado is also called “Japan’s Aegean
Sea,” I think the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and thearchipelago are more beautiful. It may be a tourism industry
viewpoint, but it would be better to market the area purely as

FUNO, Hiroko Born in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture in 1961, and a resident of Setouchi City since 1996. After devoting herself to raising her children, she worked

as a cram school teacher and a part-time elementary school teacher before being elected to the Setouchi City Council for the first time in 2013. Served two terms (eight
years), working to educate children about food, promote local products, ensure the safety and security of the elderly, and reinforce the city’s preparedness for disaster. In
2021, became a board member of Setouchi Hot Planning, a general incorporated association that plays a central role in the Setouchi Ushimado Tamatsu Countryside
Stays Promotion Council and has been involved in the management of Countryside Stays programs and activities to promote the attractiveness of Setouchi’s food.

“Ushimado” without such a catchphrase. I have lived in Okayama

FUNO : Ushimado has developed as a production area forare very modest and do not publicize the valuable things they

allows for plenty of sunshine, and because the irrigation of thefor nearly 20 years now, and I find that the people of Okayama
have. That would be a regrettable loss. So I try to be moreproactive in sending out information. In the summer of 2022, aspart of the Okayama Destination Campaign, a large-scale

tourism project, a masking tape “mt” event was held in
Ushimado, which attracted an endless stream of visitors. In

addition, a multi-purpose leisure facility, “Ushimado TARI” wasbuilt, where guests enjoy glamping and other activities. In thespring of 2023, a resort hotel is scheduled to open near the
Ushimado Olive Garden, and a guesthouse is scheduled to open
on Maejima Island. Local people say, “Ushimado is in a ‘bubble’

for the first time in 30 or 40 years.” I think that’s a good thing.
There are many things I want to do and should do, so I am looking
forward to the future.

proﬁlevegetables since long ago because of its sloping terrain, which
fields is well maintained up to the top of the mountains. Heavy
vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, cabbage, pumpkin, andtougan (wax gourd) are widely grown, and all of them have acharacteristic of deep sweetness.

However, since they aremainly shipped to the Kansai region, some locals are unaware of

their deliciousness, which I think is also regrettable. Lemons arealso grown in Setouchi City, and immature green lemons are also

good to eat. We want to convey this to the local children, so weorganize farming experiences with the cooperation of farmers,such as treading wheat sprouts in the fields and harvesting
vegetables, and these experiences are available right here.

Setouchi City is also developing a “Shoku-no-Shiawase (FoodHappiness) Project,” the active promotion to provide local

HAYASHI, Takayasu Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1967. While in university, he was dispatched to work as an overseas travel attendant and took
a leave of absence to obtain a park guide license in Niagara Falls, Canada. After working for Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd. he joined JTB Chugoku Shikoku
Corp.(at the time) in 2006. In 2021 became the Secretary General of the Setouchi City Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association). He has
been involved in creating tourism sites and a variety of events, as well as improving the promenade on Kuroshima Island as secretary general of theKuroshima Revitalization Council.

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THE SETOUCHI STORY vol.3

products for school lunches. Through these efforts, children can“sacred place for lovers” (certified by the NPO Regionaldelicious and seasonal food they are provided, and how grateful

movies since 2021. There are four short movies, spring, summer,

learn how delicious and wonderful this area is, how muchthey are to have this kind of experience.

Opportunities to become more familiar with thecommunity and appreciate its good qualities

Revitalization Support Center) and has been producing shortfall, and winter, featuring heart-warming stories set in Ushimado,

and all the actors are residents including children as well as theirfathers and mothers. The movies are for tourism promotion, butwhen people they know are in the films, local people are interested

HAYASHI : Since my ability to send out information on my own isin watching them, which seems to help them feel closer to theand to increase the number of related parties. Looking at the staff

appears in the movie, has also been launched to encourage

to Ushimado, where it is located, but since it is a tourism

members and lovers, letters in their handwriting, with a marine

people who live and work in Oku and Osafune on a daily basis. The

Kirari-kan, a pink mailbox at the Ushimado Olive Garden, and asword-forging areas” in Setouchi City, and a hands-on event for

Tourist Association. While we need to provide more information

The Tourism Association is developing a tourism project for young

Memorial Museum in Oku. When they entered the “Sacred Place

fall of 2022 has had a greater-than-expected response. A nationalalone represents the Setouchi area. This is an area in Okayama

limited, I think it is important to involve as many people as possible

local community. The “Koi-Post (Love Mailbox)” project, whichof the Tourism Association, there used to be many people related

people to take the time to write their loved ones, including family

association for the entire Setouchi City, we have actively recruited

blue mailbox at the Setouchi City Tourist Center Setouchi

local network has expanded as they have become our members.

retro red mailbox at the Yumeji Art Museum Yumeji Birthplace

people called “Dating in Ushimado” to promote Ushimado as afor Lovers Regional Revitalization Award” in 2022, they wereselected as one of the 12 winning organizations as it would lead tosustainable regional revitalization and countermeasures against
the declining birthrate.

FUNO : In this region, we take it for granted that there arevegetables, a history that continues to be handed down fromgeneration to generation, and many interesting and fascinating

adults who pass it on to the next generation. I especially hope thatchildren learn about the good qualities of their hometown. So weneed to have a strong local community, and we need to increase
the number of people who are willing to help. I believe that is ourchildren to familiarize themselves with sword culture held in thetreasure owned by the city, the “Long Sword (Tachi), Unsigned
Ichimonji (a.k.a. Sanchomo),” has also become an essential

tourist resource. Since this area has such a rich history, culture,and treasures, I thought it was important to create opportunities

for local children to experience them daily. When these children

become adults, they may stay in their hometowns, work in jobs

that will help to promote the area, or become key persons indisseminating information about the unique charms of the area. I

have high hopes for such possibilities, and I think this is one of
the ways to develop networks.

districts of Oku and Tamatsu, local volunteers formed the

Aiming to increase the population involved and create abright future for the city

Council” in FY2021 to revitalize the region and started “Setouchi

FUNO : Setouchi City was created in 2004. The name wasrole and the point of our efforts. In Ushimado and the neighboring“Setouchi Ushimado Tamatsu Countryside Stays Promotion
Countryside Stays Navigation,” a stay-type tour that visitors canon what exactly Setouchi City is like, we can see that the name

Prefecture with a high retention rate of Regional Development
Cooperation Volunteers, who remain in the area after their termof office ends and start their own businesses, and are actuallyactive in a tangible way. The people in the area are hospitableand friendly, and I am sure that the existence of deep roots here

keeps people who come from outside from leaving. We need tocreate opportunities for people to visit Setouchi City and stay fora certain period of time, even if it is a workation. Inbound tourism

is gradually returning, but it is very important to communicate
the region’s pride and increase the number of people interested
in this region, Setouchi City. I believe that Setouchi City will havea bright future if we keep trying to increase the number of peopleinterested in the area. As a fan of the region myself, I willcontinue to make such efforts.

derived from the image of a scenic, warm, and peaceful area
benefiting from the Seto Inland Sea. At the time, I was a memberof the merger council that selected the name, and at first, somepeople said, “It’s a name that doesn’t tell us where it is.” But now

it seems that many people are considering moving to the area

because of the name, and I realize that image is also important. I
used to take this environment and scenery for granted, but once

I learned that the scenery is precious because of the beauty ofthe many islands and that this is the Setonaikai National Park, it

became a more important place for me. It is not something thatis taken for granted from other people’s points of view. I want to
From left: Townscape of Shiomachi Karakoto Street, Pink mailbox at Ushimado Olive Garden, View of Ushimado,
and View of Mushiage Bay from Setonoakebono (Mt. Ohirayama), selected as one of the “Japan’s 100 Best Sunrise Views”

fully enjoy agriculture, fishing, and nature experiences unique toon their actual experience. However, the circle will not expand

this region. For example, sugarcane is usually associated with

community thrive, so we need to come up with policies andthe area. Our goal is to enchant visitors through the experience in
Okinawa but is also grown in Setouchi City. One of the main

attractions of our visitors’ tours is the experience of sugarcane
harvesting, squeezing juice, and boiling it down to makeKuromitsu (sugarcane syrup). Students from Oku High School

also organized a sightseeing tour in December 2022 forelementary and junior high school students in Setouchi City toshow them the local attractions. I helped them create plans, andthey were very impressed when they experienced digging for

potatoes before making plans. This area has a unique quality thatyou can only discover through your own activities. The tour also

included making tornado potatoes and fishing in Ushimado based

15

cherish the “wind outside” that makes me aware of this fact.

HAYASHI : We sometimes receive phone calls with inquiries

mistaking the Setouchi City Tourism Association for the Setouchi

unless we value the people who play a central role in making thebudgets that make it easier for them to engage in these activities.
HAYASHI : Ushimado has long flourished as a port town whereboats waiting for the wind and tides were crowded. In the Edo

period (1603-1867), Ushimado became a port of call for the
diplomatic mission “Chosen Tsushinshi (the Korean Emissary)”
sent by the Korean Dynasty. Ushimado then had such economic

strength and human resources that it hosted a group of about 500

people, mainly at Honrenji Temple. Shiomachi Karakoto Street isalso a very valuable street where the international exchange took

place during the period of national seclusion. Osafune, as well as

Ushimado, is becoming well known as one of “the major Japanese

Setouchi Countryside Stays Navigation In the Ushimado and Tamatsu areas of Setouchi City, visitors can enjoy dynamic
nature, agriculture, fishing, and food experiences while staying in the area. Trekking, sea kayaking, strolling along Kuroshima Venus
Road, harvesting fresh vegetables, watching oysters being landed, and other experiences unique to this area are offered to visitors
to show them the charm of the area. With local people as experts, instructors, and supporters, visitors can encounter “authentic
experiences” in the farming and fishing village life rooted in lifestyle, culture, history, and traditions, as well as industry.

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THE SETOUCHI STORY vol.4

vol.4

Finless porpoises are a barometerof the richness of the sea

Preserving an Ecologically Balanced Ocean
for Future Generations

A guide with extensive knowledge of the sea of Ushimado, ONOZUKA
Masahiro produces various sea kayaking tours, including the standard
One-Day Trail and Half-Day Trail, which have continued to maturesince their opening in 1999. The classic one-day and half-day trails
are so packed with the charm of sea kayaking and the Seto Inland Seathat even first-timers can enjoy the experience fully. Various
programs are available, including courses to open a beach café orbeach restaurant on a paddled deserted island, courses to enjoy
beach camping, and courses for elementary school-children and older
can participate, and even include a finless porpoise workshop.

Mr. ONOZUKA, Masahiro

Representative, Ushimado Water Trail

Fascinated by the Seto Inland Sea, Mr. Onozuka, Masahiro of Ushimado Water Trail serves as a sea kayaking tour guide based in the
Ushimado Islands. His encounter with the finless porpoise led him to establish a group to watch over them, and he is also committed topreserving the natural environment of the Seto Inland Sea.

The splendor of the Seto Inland Sea, we can experience it through sea kayaking
The Seto Inland Sea, always calm, is a perfect nature for sea

kayaking. It’s beautiful, gentle, and easy for humans to touch.
Whenever I go around the tip of the island and suddenly see
the sunset, I always think, “This is so cool.” Kayaking at night,
the moonlight and the mysterious blue-white glow of the sea
fireflies are as beautiful as the light-up lights at a theme park.

When I was an elementary school student, I was thrown into amountain village in my birthplace of Gifu during summer

proﬁle17vacation and played around in the mountains and rivers everyday. Perhaps because of my early experiences, I still lovenature and have been kayaking in the same place for morethan 20 years. And even though I know all the scenery I cansee, I never get tired of it because it always looks different.
The Seto Inland Sea is wonderful in that way, too. I used tohave a kayak store in Osaka, selling kayaks imported from
Canada in my store and wholesaling them to kayak stores all

Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1962 and raised in Osaka. After graduating high school, he worked for a movie theater management company and other companies.
Encountering the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, he was inspired to make a career out of what he loved doing. He moved to Canada in 1997, and acquired
distributor rights in Japan through negotiations with a local kayak manufacturer and learned the basics of kayak guiding. Established Ushimado Water Trail in
1999. In 2008, he became the chairman of the Association to Watch Over the Finless Porpoises of Ushimado. In 2020, he became the chairman of the Maejima
Green Island Experience Exchange Council.

over Japan. We also hold hands-on test-ride events in various

scenery and islands in the Setonaikai National Park area. I

drive around pulling a special trailer with about 15 kayaks

first visited the United States at the age of 19, I camped inplaces to let people know the appeal of kayaks. We used toloaded, so it stood out a lot. Maybe that’s why, after coming toUshimado a few times, local people working to revitalize thecommunity approached me. This led me to open a store at
events and for limited periods of time. Originally I liked theplace so much that I came to visit for pleasure, so in 1999, I

moved to Ushimado, pulled out of my store and house in

Osaka, and started the “Ushimado Water Trail.” I arrange

various kayaking tours based on Maejima Island, about 5
minutes by ferry from the mainland. While touring around theUshimado Islands, we offer information on recommended

have a special feeling about the name “national park.” When I

Yosemite National Park. The park ranger explained a lot about

the nature of the park to me. I was so impressed with the park
ranger’s explanation of the park’s natural environment that I
began to yearn for a career in protecting nature andcommunicating the importance of nature. Although I didn’t

become a park ranger, looking back on my life as anelementary school student, I feel that being a kayak guide,

which is what I am today, is something I was meant to do. It istruly a calling.

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THE SETOUCHI STORY vol.4

years ago, they were so numerous that they were called “strayfor fish to live there. Although the Act on Special Measuresthat as the number of fish to feed on decreased, they hardly saw

Sea (the Seto Inland Sea Law) and other laws enacted by thecats, stray dogs, and stray finless porpoises.” Many people said
finless porpoises. At the top of the pyramid of organisms in the

Seto Inland Sea, the finless porpoise is a symbol of the richness ofthe sea and is considered a barometer of the health of the naturalenvironment and ecosystem. If we want to protect the finless
porpoise, we must look at the entire ecosystem, not just thefinless porpoise, but we must protect the small plankton,

seaweed, and small fish that support the bottom of the pyramid,or the ecosystem will not be healthy. During Rapid Economic
Growth, the Seto Inland Sea became eutrophic due to wastewaterphoto by Jin Inomata“finless porpoise.” I first became aware of their existence after
moving to Ushimado. When I was kayaking, I often came acrossstrange creatures, and when I looked them up, I found out thatthey were finless porpoises. I wanted to work on conveying theimportance of the natural environment, so I attended anenvironmental protection event where a sea turtle expert and now

a professor at the Okayama University of Science, Dr. KAMEZAKI,
Naoki was present.

abnormally and causing frequent red tides, making it impossible

government in the 1970s greatly improved water quality, strict

discharge controls have now resulted in oligotrophication. Now,
the government is trying to restore the sea under the revised Seto

Inland Sea Law, which came into effect in April 2022. The Seto
Inland Sea is a sea that can become clean or polluted dependingon human wisdom, technology, and discretion.

The United

Nations has set SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) andsociety as a whole is becoming more and more environmentallyconscious. I would like to continue to watch over the finless
porpoises and pass on to future generations an abundant ocean
where finless porpoises can live.

PICK UP SPOT

Seto Inland Sea, a habitat of the finless porpoise, to prevent its decline
The Seto Inland Sea is home to a cute little creature called afrom factories and households, causing plankton to bloom

concerning Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland

About Finless Porpoise

The finless porpoise is a member of the whale and dolphin family
and has inhabited the Seto Inland Sea for centuries. Known in the
Seto Inland Sea as “nameso” or “degondou,” they are familiar topeople who live near the sea. They are very active in the sea, butwhen they appear on the surface, they glide silently there. If you
hear a blowing sound (breathing sound), it is a sign that they are
nearby. Past surveys have reported a decrease in the number offinless porpoises in the Seto Inland Sea.

I told him about the finless porpoise.

Kuroshima Island

An island with a circumference of 1.6 km off the coast of Ushimado, Setouchi City, designated as a youth island by
Okayama Prefecture. “Kuroshima Venus Road,” a sand path connecting the three islands that appears only when

the tide is low, is a popular romantic spot. The road, which connects Kuroshima Island to Nakano-Koshima Islandand Hanano-Koshima Island in an arch shape, is about 800 meters long and can be crossed on foot, but it only
appears for about two hours at a time. On Nakano-Koshima Island, there is a heart-shaped natural stone called“Heart of the Goddess,” which is the inspiration for the name “Venus Road.” It is said that if you walk across themysterious sand path created by nature and touch the stone, your romantic feelings will be conveyed to the person
you are thinking of, just like the way the islands are connected, and your romance will be fulfilled.

Apparently, there was a common understanding among scholarsthat they were no longer around here, so Dr. Kamezaki and his

student, a finless porpoise researcher, came to Ushimado rightaway. I took them out on a kayak, and they were both surprised tosee a finless porpoise that happened to appear right in front ofthem. So they decided to investigate this matter properly, and welaunched the “Association to Watch over the Finless Porpoises inScientific classification: Cetacea/
Suborder: Odontoceti/ Family: Phocoenidae
Length: 140-180 cm/adult, 70-80 cm/natal
Body weight: 40-70 kg

Ushimado” in 2008. We conducted a fact-finding survey of thesea area around Ushimado and held observation sessions by ferry,workshops, camps, and other events. In 2012, we visited about
130 locations in 11 prefectures along the Seto Inland Sea coastfrom Oita to Wakayama, including fishery cooperatives, yacht

harbors, and other places, to interview people about the names

they use for the finless porpoise. It turned out that there were as
many as 35. Since they have no value to humans, they have lived
without attracting much attention. The fact that so many local

names have survived proves that they were once abundant
throughout the Seto Inland Sea and were always close to humans.

I collected as much information as I could on sightings in eacharea to find that although it is lucky to see them now, 50 or 60

Kuroshima Island, where eelgrass beds spread, provides an opportunity
to learn about the Seto Inland Sea environment
Eelgrass beds play an extremely important role in shaping the ecosystem of the Seto Inland Sea. Eelgrass is a seagrassthat grows in shallow waters where sunlight can reach it, and it cleans the water quality and releases oxygen throughphotosynthesis. Eelgrass beds are called the “cradle of the sea” because they provide a habitat and spawning ground foryoung and small fish. In the Seto Inland Sea, the shallows along the coast have been reclaimed and the eelgrass beds are
disappearing rapidly, but there are still rich colonies of eelgrass around Kuroshima Island. Since Kuroshima Island named
the sand path that appears at low tide “Venus Road,” the number of visitors has increased and the island has become apopular tourist spot. But everyone leaves satisfied after taking SNS-worthy photos. Kuroshima Island, with its seagrass
photo by Jin Inomata

The Association to Watch Over the Finless Porpoises of Ushimado has been conducting professional and steady activities such as surveys of the names of finless porpoises
along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea and continuous fixed-point observation of finless porpoises. In addition, the group has been actively engaged in finless-porpoiseswatching events, educational activities to arouse interest in finless porpoises and the nature of the Seto Inland Sea, and beach combing to pick up marine debris.

19

beds and sandbars, is the perfect island for environmental education in the Seto Inland Sea. Even without naming it
Venus Road, it has a lot of charm by nature. I would like to introduce it more. I would like visitors to realize the true valueof the island as an island rich in nature within the Setonaikai National Park.

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THE SETOUCHI STORY vol.4

PICK UP SPOT

Maejima Island

The island has a circumference of about 10 km

and is located off the coast of Ushimado, Setouchi

City. Also known as “Midorijima (Green Island),”the island is rich in nature with beautiful pine

forests, and the entire island is designated as

Setonaikai National Park. There is a walking trail,a cycling course, one of the best fishing spots inOkayama Prefecture, and Remnant stones ofOsaka Castle. In summer, visitors can enjoy
swimming and marine sports, and the island is aneasy way to experience a sense of something outof the ordinary. The view of the Seto Inland Sea

from the Maejima Observatory (currently under
maintenance) is indescribably spectacular, withthe famous beautiful Ushimado sunset, which has
been selected as one of “Japan’s 100 Best Sunset
Views.”“The unique qualities of this place” that we want the locals to notice
Personally, the Seto Inland Sea is a treasure. The Seto Inland

moonlight are that can only be seen here. The Seto Inland Sea

myself to be a part of the Seto Inland Sea. If you are looking

usual to have this view every day. I think that is probably

Sea provides me with a source of livelihood, and I consider
for a clean sea, you may go to other places such as Okinawa or

Hawaii, but the Seto Inland Sea has its advantages as asato-umi. For example, on Maejima Island, there is “Yuhi-Koen(Sunset Park),” where you can enjoy a beautiful view ofKuroshima Island and the setting sun, as well as a group ofstones left over from the construction of Osaka Castle in theearly Edo period. On the way to the observatory from thegroup of remaining stones, there is a recommended spot witha superb view of the Seto Inland Sea and the town ofUshimado. It is one thing to bring in new facilities to attract

more tourists, but I think it would be fine if we could

is a sea that is familiar to people’s lives, and for the locals, it iswhere the divergence was. Even people born and raised here
and who have lived here for decades have no idea that thisAjirozaki beach on the eastern end of Maejima Island is a scenic spot where you can have the very calm Seto Inland Sea all to yourself. At
sunset, when the sky changes from orange to deep blue, the kayak tour “Sunset Trail” is recommended. The view of the sea glistening in theslanting sunlight is an irreplaceable experience.

whole area is a national park. Even the finless porpoises.

Remnant Stones of Osaka Castle

In the middle of the walking trail are the ruins of
the stone quarry where the stones for the walls of
Osaka Castle, which was rebuilt in the Edo period,
were cut. This is a valuable site where each stageof the quarrying process can be reconstructed,
showing the hard work of the past.

Most of the people who attend our observation meetings arefrom the Kansai area and other distant places, and at first, thelocals were not very interested in the meetings.

As thenumber of visitors increases and attention is drawn to thearea, people’s eyes change, their interest gradually grows, andAfter passing through the remnant stones and climbing a slightly steep path,
you will reach a recommended spot with a spectacular view. You can see
Maejima Island, Ushimado, and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea below. At
dusk, the townscape turns orange for an absolutely beautiful view.

they finally realize the unique qualities of the area. I am happy
to see this happen.

demonstrate the full potential of the area. If we try to do morethan we are capable of, we may not be able to continue, or we
may lose the original goodness of the area. I hope that we canpromote the nature, history, culture, scenery, and otheraspects of the area little by little, so that they become a local

A walking trail leading fromthe foot of the observatory.
Walking on foot.

specialty and attraction, and the Setonaikai National Park as awhole will thrive.

When I first came to Ushimado andorganized the Sunset Trail, I remember being shocked to heara local say, “I heard they charge money to show the sunset
there.”

I had no intention of doing that at all. I was justcommunicating what I thought was “cool” about living in thisarea in a usual way. The sun and moon are everywhere, but

Maejima Observatory

The Observatory (elevation of about 130 meters) is located in
the middle of a 1.5-km one-way walking trail along the ridge of
Mt. Maejima Higashiyama. From here, you can see not only
Maejima Island but also the distinctive beauty of the Seto Inland
Sea archipelago.

I just wanted to convey how wonderful the sunsets and

21

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Se

kai NationalTHE

Setonoakebono (Mt. Ohirayama)Pa

SETOUCHI
STORY

rk

ai
ton

Ushimado
Mushiage Bay

Ushimado prospered as a port town where people
waited for the wind and tide, and where the Chosen
Tsushinshi (the Korean Emissary) used to stop by.
The Shiomachi Karakoto Street, Ushimado Jinja
Shrine, Maejima Island, Kuroshima Island, andother islands rich in nature, and the peacefuland magnificent scenery will enchant you.
The Setonoakebono (Sunrise of Seto),selected as one of the “Japan’s 100
Ushimado Jinja Shrine
Best Sunrise Views,” is also a
Ushimado Beachmust-see.
Shiomachi Karakoto Street

jinmon Gate
Zui

Passing through the second
torii gate, you will see the
Zuijinmon Gate. After
climbing the stone steps
ahead, you will soon see thehall of worship, Haiden.
The clear,dignified air
will soothe you.

Maejima Islandn (main sanctuary)nde
HoKuroshima Island

Ushimado Beach

It is a long, spacious, and calm beach with aview of the islands of the Seto Inland Sea far off
and Maejima Island in front of you. The clear
seawater, gently lapping waves, and long sandy
beach lead to the far. You can feel refreshedjust by strolling along the beach.

The Honden (main sanctuary), an important cultural property of
Setouchi City, sits behind the Haiden (worship hall).
(worship hall)idenHaUshimado Shrine is theguardian of Tobi, dedicatedto the spirit of the land of
Ushimado and the ancestorsof consecutive generations.
Many ema (votive tablets)and picture frames are
dedicated to the Haiden and
it is said that TAKEHISA,
Yumeji, a poet and painterfrom Oku, saw these votive
tablets and decided topursue his painting career.

Ushimado Jinja ShrineOb
O to

Just next toUshimado Beach!

The sun shines through the leaves and the364 stone steps seem to lead up to the sky.
The sound of the waves can be heard as you
ascend the steps, one by one, making yourway up.

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se rv a t o r y

rii gate

From the Japanese gazebo observatory
at the top of the steps, you can see
Maejima Island and the Seto Inland Sea
as far as the eye can see. Kameyama
Park, where the observatory is located, isfilled with the blooming of Rhododendron
farrerae azaleas in spring.

Senior Priest, Ushimado Jinja Shrine

A shrine closely associated with the legend behind the name of the place

Mr. OKAZAKI, Nobuhide

All of the shrine’s 30,000 tsubos (9,760 square meters) of land is designated as a special
zone of the Setonaikai National Park, and we put a lot of effort into the maintenance of theshrine so that visitors can worship in a pleasant environment. The main deity of theshrine is Empress Jingu. According to “Bizen-no-kuni-fudoki itsubun,” when Empress
Jingu was crossing the sea of Bizen by boat, a big bull demon appeared. Sumiyoshi
Myojin, who was disguised as an old man, grabbed the horns of the bull demon, threw it
down, and defeated it, giving rise to the name “Ushimarobi,” which later became thecurrent name “Ushimado.” The shrine has deep ties to the region in terms of its history.
The main approach to the shrine is surrounded by trees, creating a tunnel of green like aforest where Totoro lives. From the observatory (Kameyama Park) on the approach to theshrine, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the Seto Inland Sea, azaleas in full bloomin spring, the beautiful blue sky in summer, and the autumn leaves in fall, each with its
seasonal expression. This shrine is where you can find a god who pushes you forward, ahealing forest where you can recharge your energy, and a place where you can wash yourmind and heart. We would be happy if you could drop by and remember its existence.

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Shiomachi Karakoto Street
nrenji Temple
Ho

Majestic view from
Mt.Ohirayama

Townscape thatremains as it wasin the past

The street retains many vestiges of the Edo period through theShowa period when it flourished as a port town where people
waited for the wind and tide. Nostalgic buildings such as
Honrenji Temple and the ruins of a Guesthouse associatedwith the Chosen-Tsushinshi (Korean Emissary),a former bank that is a registered tangible
do atocultural property of Japan, and the ruins of aof LanternroTo Ruins
H a ll)lantern hall all stand side by side,(
reminding us of Ushimado's history.

Honrenji Temple, built in the Muromachi period (1333-1573), wasused as an inn for Chosen-Tsushinshi (Korean Emissary). The mainhall, the inner gate, and the Banjindo are designated as National
Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and the precincts on the hillwhere the three-story pagoda is located offer a panoramic view of thesea at Ushimado.
Usad o M u s é e
him Cultural Cent re

Built in 1915 as the
Ushimado Bank, its red
bricks are impressive.
It was later used as theformer Ushimado
Branch of the Chugoku
Bank and is now a
popular facility for
introducing the cultureof the street.

Setonoakebono (the Sunrise of Seto)
The sunrise seen from Mushiage, a port town where oyster cultivation is flourishing,is called “Setonoakebono.” As the sun rises, the sky, sea, and islands turn abeautiful golden color. The view is majestic and has been selected as one of“Japan’s 100 Best Sunrise Views.” There are three viewing points: Mt. Ohirayama,Tachibana, and Mushiage Bay. Climbing Mt. Ohirayama offers a magnificent view of
the Seto Inland Sea with its oyster rafts and the beauty of the many islands. We
invite you to witness the sunrise at this famous spot, written in a waka poem in the
Heian period (794-1185).

It was built to protect the safety of ships
traveling to and from the“Karakoto-no-Seto.” It was demolishedduring the Meiji period (1868-1912),
leaving the stone walls, but was restored
in 1988 (Showa 63).

ado Kaiyu
him ltural Muse
um
Us Cu

a-ya
kab attori Family Residence)
Wa igashih(H

A grand mansion
with a teahouse,back room,and storehouse.

Editor’s Note

Year Published / March 2023, 1st Printing.

Built as a police station in
1887, this white Western-stylebuilding stands out against theblue sky. It is a Registered
Tangible Cultural Property ofJapan and currently exhibitsmaterials related to the
Chosen-Tsushinshi (Korean
Emissary).

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Publisher / Ministry of the Environment,
Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environment Office
11th Floor, Okayama Joint Government Building No.2,
Shimoishii 1-4-1, Kita Ward, Okayama City,
Okayama Prefecture 700-0907, Japan

Tel : ＋81-86-223-1586 FAX : ＋81-86-224-2081
URL : http://chushikoku.env.go.jp/

Planning and production / RYOBI HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.
Art direction and design by KATO, Kuniko
Design by AKIOKA, Yoko
Writing and proofreading by UCHIDA, Ayako
Translation by KATSUHARA, Miki
Photography by TAKAHASHI, Kosuke

I had the opportunity to interview people who think about the present and futureof the region from various aspects such as tourism, education, and environmental
concerns by the Seto Inland Sea, where the landscape as far as the eye can see isa national park. What struck me as I listened to their stories was the brightness intheir eyes. The overwhelming natural beauty of the national park, the relaxedatmosphere of the Seto Inland Sea, the calm sea of Ushimado with its old
prosperous port townscape, and the view from “Mt. Yudachi Ukeyama,” featured in
the cover photo of this booklet... I found once again that the fascinating scenery
we enjoy today is the result of the efforts of residents. We hope that “The Setouchi
Story” will help as many people as possible to learn about the region’s activities.
And may the thoughts of those involved in various fields in this area be conveyed
to the world through this booklet.
Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who helped us
produce this booklet.

※The data in this booklet is as of March 2023.
※Please refrain from reproducing the contents without permission.

Setonaikai National Park Website

http://www.env.go.jp/park/setonaikai/

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