How to travel between Shodoshima and

How to travel between Shodoshima and Tokyo

Via Takamatsu

By plane: 2 transfers, 4 hours, 15,000 to 35,000 yen, connections every 1-2 hours  By night train: 1 transfer, 11 hours, 14,000 to 25,000 yen, one connection per day

The fastest way to travel between Tokyo and Shodoshima is to fly to Takamatsu Airport, ride the airport bus to the port (40 minutes, 760 yen) and take the ferry to Shodoshima. Alternatively, take the Sunrise Seto night train between Tokyo and Takamatsu and then a ferry to Shodoshima the next morning. The port is just a short walk from JR Takamatsu Station:

1) How to get from Tokyo to Takamatsu     2) How to get from Takamatsu to Shodoshima

By train and ferry via Himeji

2-3 transfers, 6 hours, 17,000 yen, connections every 2 hours

Take a train from Tokyo to Himeji. From the south exit of Himeji Station take bus number 94 bound for Himeji Port (姫路港) and get off at the terminal station. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes, costs 270 yen, and there are departures every 20-30 minutes.

Shikoku Ferry operates car ferries every two hours between Himeji and Fukuda Port onShodoshima. The one way ride takes about 100 minutes and costs 1520 yen per person and around 9000 yen for a regular sized car. Note that Fukuda Port's location is rather remote, but bus connections to other parts of the island are usually timed with ferry arrivals.

By train and ferry via Okayama

2-3 transfers, 6 hours, 18,500 yen, hourly connections

Travel via Okayama leads via Okayama Station and Shin-Okayama Port:

1) How to get from Tokyo to Okayama     2) How to get from Okayama to Shodoshima

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.

Orientation

With a width of about 20 kilometers, Shodoshima is the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea and is well connected with Shikoku, Honshu and its smaller neighboring islands by a multitude offerry lines. The island has six different ports. Towns and villages are concentrated along the coast, while the interior is mountainous and only sparsely inhabited.

The largest town on Shodoshima is Tonosho in the west of the island. Its port, Tonosho Port, has the most frequent ferry connections from both Takamatsu and Okayama, while Kusakabe Port in the southeast is located somewhat more central to many of the sightseeing spots and is also popular.

A bus network connects all of Shodoshima's six ports and coastal areas. In 2016, bus fares were considerably lowered with the introduction of a 300 yen upper limit per ride. Bus service is frequent (roughly two buses per hour) along the southern coast between the ports of Tonosho, Kusakabe and Sakate, but considerably less frequent on the island's other bus lines, e.g. along the northern coast and in the interior. The monkey park is not even served by buses.

The most convenient means to get around Shodoshima is a rental car. A few rental car outlets are found around Tonosho Port and some of the other ports. Cars can also be brought by ferry onto the island, but it is relatively expensive (around 6000 yen one way from Takamatsu). Rental bicycles may be another option and are available at Tonosho Port as well as a few hotels and resorts for about 1000 yen per day.

During the 2016 Setouchi Triennale an additional, almost hourly bus line, the Art Festival Line, is operated between Tonosho Port and Fukuda Port via the Senmaida area. Also, several other lines have increased departures during the festival period.