The Seto Inland Sea (Setouchi) is one of Japan’s most beloved landscapes, a vast, calm, sheltered sea enclosed by Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu and studded with hundreds of green islands large and small. Long a highway of trade and culture, its serene beauty — gentle water, layered island silhouettes, fishing boats and famous sunsets — has inspired poets, artists and travellers for centuries. Kagawa sits right on its shore, and the seascape shapes everything: the ferries fanning out to the islands, the great bridges (like the Seto Ohashi) leaping across it, the island communities and the art destinations of Naoshima and beyond. Whether from a ferry deck, a coastal viewpoint or a plateau like Yashima, taking in the island-dotted sea, especially at sunset, is one of the quiet joys of visiting Kagawa.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Seto Inland Sea, Kagawa coast |
| Hours | Anytime; sunsets special |
| Admission | Free (ferry fares vary) |
| Time needed | An hour to a day |
| Best time | Clear days; sunset |
What to See
- A calm sea dotted with hundreds of green islands.
- Ferries, fishing boats and the great Seto bridges.
- Famous, unforgettable Setouchi sunsets.
- Island communities and art destinations.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Yashima plateau for the view.
- Pair with the Setouchi Triennale art islands.
- Read our Kagawa overview .
Getting There
- By ferry: from Takamatsu out to the islands.
- By viewpoint: Yashima, Goshikidai and coastal spots.
Tips
Take a ferry out among the islands for the finest sense of the seascape, or catch it from a high viewpoint like Yashima or Goshikidai, ideally at sunset when the sea and islands are at their most beautiful. Time it for a clear day, combine it with an island trip or the art islands, and simply slow down to enjoy the serene scenery.
