SHŌDO ISLAND
Shodoshima (小豆島, Shōdoshima) is the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea and one of the first islands born to the gods in the creation myth of Japan. It’s name literally means “small beans” is also known to many as Olive Island. Olives were first cultivated at Shodoshima, Japan in 1908 and since then there has been a top producer of olives in the country.
A place in Shodoshima, where the first olives were cultivated. Olive park it is called, Or Olive grove. The Island also has a museum where visitors can learn about the history of olive cultivation. The Park’s walking paths are popular among tourists of the place. After a walk through Olive Park and learning about the history of the island be sure to check out the cafes, restaurants, and shops that have various interesting olive related goods. They have the typical olive oil but they also have these interesting goods like olive noodles, olive cosmetics, olive candy, and even olive ice cream. The so called place, shodoshima also have a public bathhouse called Sun Olive where guests can relax and enjoy the eight different baths of hot spring water. The views of the sea from the baths are breathing taking and sure to be a calming experience.
Shodoshima attracts visitors with its Mediterranean atmosphere, offering beaches, resorts, coastal sceneries and a mountainous interior with one of Japan’s most celebrated gorges, the Kankakei Gorge. The island is also known as the filming location of a popular movie.
The charm of this island will definitely relax your body and mind and you may feel closer to nature which is in our days rare to find.