Tied to the Setonaikai National Park

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Ministry of the Environment
2023.3Sehttps://www.env.go.jp/park/setonaikai/The Hinase Islands
UshimadoIntroduction
What do you think of when you hear the word “national park”?

You may have an image of an expanse of virgin forest, inhabited by wild animals.

National parks, which are designated by the Japanese government as one of Japan’s

representative natural landscapes, are characterized by the diversity of their environments,
including forests, farmlands, and villages.

While there are places where nature remains almost untouched, you can also experience thehistory and culture of the region, which are interwoven with nature, people, and life.

The Seto Inland Sea (Setonaikai) is a scenic area, with a blue sea for as far as the eye can see.
This beautiful scenery of countless islands of various sizes has been praised by many

geographers as “the most fascinating place in the world.” No wonder it was designated as thefirst “National Park” of Japan.

The islands and port towns of the Seto Inland Sea, which have prospered since ancient times

Setonaikai National ParkIslands and the Sea That Keep Shining- An Inland Sea Archipelago Landscape with a Harmony between Nature and Humans-Setonaikai National Park together with Unzen and Kirishima were designated as the first nationalparks of Japan in 1934. The vast area of the sea surrounded by five straits of Kitan, Naruto,Kanmon, Akashi, and Hoyo, with Bisanseto Strait at the center, the islands within, and the landarea overlooking such sea and islands have been assigned as the park areas. The park area
extends over 11 prefectures and is the largest national park in Japan with over 900,000
hectares including the sea area. It features archipelago landscapes of the inland sea which iscomprised of a large number of islands of various sizes. There are many scenic spots along
the coastline where these extraordinary landscapes can be observed. In addition, the Seto
Inland Sea is a region where cultures have prospered from early on, and people andnature have coexisted. An amiable scenery of nature and people dwelling together,such as terraced fields on the islands and port towns which were developed as aplace for people engaged in the fishery to wait for the tide to turn, is one of
the biggest charms of this place.
［Date of Designation］ March 16,1934［Area］67,308 ha（Land area）837,541 ha（Sea area）［Relative Prefectures］ Osaka Pref., Hyogo Pref., Wakayama Pref., Okayama Pref.,Hiroshima Pref., Yamaguchi Pref., Tokushima Pref., Kagawa Pref.,Ehime Pref., Fukuoka Pref., Oita Pref.

Setonaikai National Park

as a domestic and international shipping route, are a place where nature and human life

coexist. The scenery gives a sense of nostalgia. Even though the landscape has changed
over time, it is still loved today.

In the Setouchi Story you will discover new charms of the Setonaikai National Park that youmay not have noticed yet, by getting in touch with the thoughts of the people who live andwork there. The magnificent landscapes in which “nature and people coexist” are the starting

Mt. Washu (Kurashiki City,Okayama Prefecture)a chance to think anew about your hometown. The sights that should be familiar to you may

Mt. Yudachi Ukeyama with a view as far as Shodoshima Island,
the Hinase Islands, and Ushimado, which developed as a port
for waiting for the wind and tide

point of this national park. The words of people who are fascinated by this region will give you
strike a chord with you.

Each person’s story is filled with love for the Setouchi area.
Through the Setouchi Story, may your life be enriched!

01

Naruto Whirlpools (Tokushima Prefecture)

This time we will visit Mt. Yudachi Ukeyama and theHinase Islands in the Seto Inland Sea area. Mt. Yudachi
Ukeyama is a scenic spot in Bizen City, Okayama
Prefecture, which offers a panoramic view of the Seto
Inland Sea, its bays, and oyster rafts below. The HinaseIslands consist of 13 islands of various sizes in the Seto
Inland Sea. From the mainland, we will cross the “Bizen♡ Hinase Ohashi Bridge” and travel through theprefecture's largest island, Kakuijima Island, which ishome to many wild animals such as deer and pheasants,
to Kashirajima Island. We will also visit Ushimado, a port
town in Setouchi City called “Japan's Aegean Sea,”
which was a stopover for the Chosen Tsushinshi (theKorean Emissary). In this area, we will visit Maejima
Island, Kuroshima Island, and other islands off the coastof the Seto Inland Sea, meet people involved in thenational park and listen to their hearts. With the scenic
beauty of each area, let your mind wander to Setonaikai
National Park.

Hoogahara (Ehime Prefecture）

Mt. Shiude (Kagawa Prefecture)

Bizen City
Mt. Yudachi Ukeyama

Bizen♡Hinase Ohashi Bridge

Kakuijima Island
Hinase Umi Lab
Setonoakebono (Mt. Ohirayama)

Kashirajima Island

Mt. Tanukiyama Observatory

Setouchi City

Ushimado Jinja Shrine
Ushimado Beach

Seto Inland Sea

Shiomachi Karakoto Street
Maejima Island
Kuroshima Island02