It is a fascinating wonderland with over 3000 islands, often referred to as the Emerald Range. These islands extend over 480 kilometers of sea and form an oceanic national park: the "interior sea" of Japan.
This island-covered body of water is called Seto-nai-kai in Japanese, which means “sea in the canals”. The Inland Sea lies between Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku, three of Japan's four main islands.
The islands vary in size in this unique waterway. Some have a circumference of 101 km and are well populated. Others are small enough to be unnamed stones. Among the most picturesque of these "stones" are those on which a single pine grows. These islands were probably formed as a result of a sudden drop caused by volcanic influences many years ago.
The landscape of the Japanese inland seas is breathtaking. The change of season contributes to this. If you had sailed to these islands in winter, ripe tangerines on the beach would add a touch of orange to your view. Spring with softer colors delights the viewer when the peach and cherry blossoms stand out. In summer, chrysanthemums transform your landscape into a creamy white. And in the fall, the water turns red when the maple leaves change.
Would you like to see some of these picturesque islands? Then, go on a short boat cruise.
We started our tour at the northeast end of the Inland Sea. We first pass through the Shodo and Awaji Islands, which are among the largest in the entire Inland Sea resort. The Naruto Channel between the islands of Shikoku and Awaji is over a quarter of a mile (about 1 kilometer) wide. At this point, the waters of the Pacific Ocean reach the Inland Sea with a deafening roar. Here there are eddies that measure up to 23 meters above sea level.
In the southwest, not far from Takamatsu in Shikoku, we passed the island of Megishima. Some people know him as Onigashima, which means “demons”. In the past, Megishima was a famous place for pirates, whose hiding place was a cave on a hill.
Then we arrived south of Okayama Prefecture in Nagashima, an island unknown to many but with an interesting history. Until the 1930s, this small island was the home of farmers. At that time, there were only fifteen houses in Nagashima. Then Dr. Kensuke Mitsuda started a construction project on the island and opened a leper hospital on March 25, 1931. To prevent people from the neighboring islands from seeing them, the first patients arrived by boat at three in the morning. .
Nagashima now has two hospitals, but only 20% of patients are seriously ill. Couples have their own bedrooms, and healthier patients like to work. The men fish, learn carpentry, and make things like tables and cages. Sewing, knitting and knitting are among the activities of women.
Our boat now passes through Innoshima. The white slopes are impressive. What does it do In fact, the white is due to the fact that millions of pyrethrum grow here. These are flowers that look like large daisies. Besides beautifying the island, these flowers serve another useful purpose as mosquitoes will not tolerate them. One of the most effective insecticides known to man originated from pyrethrum. There is also a Buddhist idol in Innoshima called Jujika Kannon. The idol is represented in the form of a woman. Surprisingly, he carries a cross. Some say the image represents maternal love, others see it as a symbol of wealth and happiness.
Visiting one of these islands is a pleasant experience. The inhabitants also feel at home in the countryside, in a rice field or at sea. The rice terraces, which must be completely flat despite the mountainous terrain, are a work of art. The fruits of oranges, peaches, medlars and lemons add color to the landscape. Winter watchers will see the dark green leaves of the flowerless Igusa plant, a 1.2 meter tall reed. The stalk of this plant is woven onto mats of grass found in homes across Japan.
With a few exceptions, these small island towns are completely isolated from each other. Many locals are familiar with the island's affairs, but they know almost nothing about the nearby islands. Of course, modern innovations expand the world of the islanders. However, there is great reluctance to make major changes, such as changing religious views. The family's decisions and traditions are very influential and are followed regardless of personal preferences or beliefs.
Sometimes people ask us what kind of fish is in these waters. In the inland sea, fishermen take delicious delicacies such as red mullet, dorado, flatfish, mackerel, sardines, squid, squid and other varieties. Unfortunately, the pollution of Osaka, Okayama and Niihama is causing chaos. Recently, the fish refused. It is believed that many of these marine animals sought cleaner water at greater depths. As fish is a large part of the Japanese diet, this is a serious problem.
It is sunset when we anchor our departure on a beach on the Kyushu coast. We sat together and listened to the waves gently release the white sand. We saw the sun turn the emerald green sky and the sea into a copper flame. However, we only glimpse the beauty of the inland sea. There is so much more to enjoy, even in places that are only accessible by flat bottom fishing boats. Since no two islands are the same, there seems to be endless variety here. It would take several months to get to know the inland sea. However, we hope you enjoyed your visit.