Washuzan and Shimotsui: Scenic Views of the Seto Inland Sea

Washuzan, Overlooking the Seto Inland Sea National Park

South of central Kojima, Mt. Washu is one of the signature viewpoints of the Seto Inland Sea National Park. From here you can take in the scattered-island beauty of the Seto Inland Sea alongside the grand sweep of the Seto Ohashi Bridge, which connects Honshu and Shikoku.

Sunset is an especially popular time to visit, when the sky, sea, and bridge are all said to glow in shades of amber.

Shimotsui, a Port Town on the Kitamaebune Trade Route

At the foot of Mt. Washu lies Shimotsui, a port town that flourished from the Edo through the Meiji era as a stopover for kitamaebune trading ships. Streets that still evoke that era, along with the locally cherished folk song "Shimotsui-bushi," keep the town's seafaring history and culture alive today.

Take a slow walk through its lanes with the sea breeze in the air, and you'll discover another side of Kojima.

Pair It With Your Stroll Through Town

Alongside Kojima's identity as a town of denim and school uniforms, venture a little further to enjoy the natural beauty of the Seto Inland Sea and the history of its port towns. Encountering both craftsmanship and scenery is what makes a trip to Kojima so rewarding.