The Seto Inland Sea was spoken of very highly by many foreign geographers in the 19th century, and amazed them as “the most beautiful sea in the world,” when samurais were still playing an active part in the history of Japan.
Of special note, the scenery and the countless islands of the Seto Inland Sea have been described as “the Aegean Sea in the East.”

We have selected a few spots where you can see some beautiful world-class panoramic views, including lots of islands. Please check out the sights on your own, full of magnificent beauty as far as the eye can see!

1 Yashima (Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa)

Photo by Masahito Okawa

<<“About this site, we only can say ‘please come and find this beautiful view by yourself.’” >>

Photo by Syota

<<“I found 2 ships which had dropped anchor off the coast around sunset. I just forgot myself in this image of calm in Setouchi and released the camera shutter.”>>

Photo by Shinji Tada

<<“I took this night view of Takamatsu from the top of Yashima. I was moved by this amazing scenery especially with Sunport Takamatsu and the Takamatsu Port lighthouse.”>>

As its name suggests, “Yashima” used to be an island in the past. The island was connected to the Shikoku in the Edo Period (1637), and now you can easily go to the mountaintop by car via the “Yashima Driveway.”

Yashima
Address／Yashima-sanjo, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa
all YASHIMA｜Takamatsu City

2　Shiude-yama (Mitoyo-shi, Kagawa)

Photo by Masahito Okawa

Photo by Tada

<<“The view with the cherry blossoms in spring time is tremendous. The scattered light on the pink petals over the background of the blue sea makes me speechless.”>>

The 7th of “52 places to go in 2019” selected by The New York Times was “the islands of Setouchi.” And the main visual for this selection was actually this picture, a view of the Seto Inland Sea with cherry blossoms on Shiude-yama.

The height of this mountain is 352 meters. You can see panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea on three sides at the top of the mountain.
There is a café with a superb view on the summit, and people feel they are healed by this location and scenery.

Shiude-yama (Mt.Shiude)
Address／451-1, Otsu, Ohama, Takuma-cho, Mitoyo-shi, Kagawa
Mt.Shiude｜Mitoyo Tourism and Exchange Authority

3 Washu-zan (Kurashiki-shi, Okayama)

<<“The sight of the sunset going down between islands across the Seto Ohashi Bridge is splendid in autumn and winter.” >>

Washu-zan is a mountain with a height of 133 meters, located right behind the Seto Ohashi Bridge. Scraggy rocks cover its mountain surface. You can reach the mid-point of the mountain by car, and enjoy an easy hike while getting a great view of the sea.

Washu-zan
Address／Tanoura, Shimotsui, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama
Washu-zan｜倉敷観光WEB－kurashiki sightseeing

4 Kiro-san (Imabari-shi, Ehime)

<<“This is really one of the best places to see the beautiful sunset along the Shimanami Kaido, and many tourists or photo enthusiasts come visit here on weekends.” >>

<<“The sun creates a road of the light right before the sunset, which seems to thread between the islands of Shimanami Kaido.” >>

It is said that the eternal love will be promised for any couple who locks a padlock on the fence towards the direction of the sunset. We are pretty sure that you can’t take your eyes off the sun until the moment it sets when you are here at sundown.

Kirosan Observatory Park
Address／487-4, Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
Kirosan Observatory Park｜Visit Ehime Japan

5 Yudachiuke-yama(Bizen-shi, Okayama)

Photo by Nori-san

<<“Yudachiuke-yama is a mountain located in the south-eastern part of Okayama Prefecture, with a height of around 210 meters.”>>

<<“This is the exact moment of the sunset. The view at dusk was so dramatic and beautiful!”>>

Yudachiuke-yama literally means “the mountain of receiving showers.” The legend says that farmers who suffered from the long dry weather prayed for rain on the top of this mountain. Then suddenly, dark clouds spread out over the land and a rain shower began. This event became the origin of the name of the mountain.
You can see a beautiful view of the sunset on the top.

Yudachiuke-yama
Address／2277-9, Honami, Bizen-shi, Okayama
瀬戸内海国立公園夕立受山｜岡山観光WEB　Japanese only

6 Oboshi-yama (Hirao-cho, Yamaguchi)

Photo by Rene

<<“There are many windmills in this mountain area, and the view of Setouchi with them has some special characteristics.”>>

Oboshi-yama is a mountain with a height of 438 meters, and there are a lot of huge windmills around the top of the mountain. You can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from the observation tower. You can see the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu or the island of Shikoku if the weather is sunny and clear.

Oboshi-yama
Address／807-1, Saga, Hirao-cho, Kumage-gun, Yamaguchi
大星山展望台｜ひろたび　Japanese only

7 Washigato-zan (Imabari-shi, Ehime)

<<“Don’t miss this beautiful evening glow after the sunset on a fine day! The sky shined brightly, and the sunset tinged the Seto Inland Sea with anorange flush.”>>

Mt. Washigato-zan, at a height of 436 meters, is the highest peak of Omishima, an island on the Shimanami Kaido. The Shimanami Kaido itself is considered a sacred place for cyclists. It takes about 1.5 hours from the bottom to the top by the climbing route, and the mountain top is a spot for superb views that are well-known but to the few.

Washigato-zan
Address／Miyaura, Omishima-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
鷲ヶ頭山自然研究路｜瀬戸内Finder　Japanese only

8 Senkoji Temple (Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima)

Photo by ryuusann1969

<<“This scenery gives you the sudden urge to shout about its beauty.”>>

Photo by Noriko Asakura

<<“Ships with cargo come and go through this narrow strait. I can watch it for hours without losing interest.”>>

Onomichi City in Hiroshima has been the setting of many movies and works of literature. You can visit Senkoji Temple on the mountain by ropeway, and this is a must-visit spot for sightseeing in Onomichi!

Onomichi City, Hiroshima
http://www.ononavi.com