Suo-Oshima Island

Suō-Ōshima is a large island floating in the Seto Inland Sea of Yamaguchi Prefecture, with a circumference of about 100 km. It is also known as the “Hawaii of the Setouchi,” characterized by how “Hawaii” has become rooted in its history, culture, and local lifestyle. The climate is warm year-round, and especially in summer, locals commonly wear aloha shirts and enjoy hula dancing as part of island life. The scenery of white sandy beaches, blue skies, blue sea, and palm trees strongly evokes a tropical image. The island also offers many Hawaii-themed restaurants and leisure spots. Thanks to the mild climate, citrus cultivation is thriving (as on many Seto Inland Sea islands), giving it another nickname: “the island of mandarins.” Marine sports and swimming are popular, and dolphin watching is particularly recommended. Around the Maejima area on the island’s northern side, more than 100 small dolphins (finless porpoises) are said to live, and statistics suggest that encounters are more likely during the active season from May to October when you join a cruise. Access to Suō-Ōshima: by car, take the Sanyo Expressway to “Kuga IC,” then via National Route 437 (and related routes). By public transportation, take JR Sanyo Main Line from “Iwakuni Station” to “Obatake Station” (about 25 minutes), then transfer to a Bocho Bus for about 20 minutes to Kuga (Suō-Ōshima Tourism Association area).