Introducing places of interest: Setonaikai National Park (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Boyo
[Mt. Dake-zan]
Mt. Ouza on the eastern tip of the Kumage Peninsula as well as the islands of Sagoshima, Umashima, and Yashirojima (Suo-Oshima Island), which face the Suonada Sea, have been designated as belonging to Setonaikai National Park.
Yashirojima (Suo-Oshima Island) is the third largest island in the Seto Inland Sea after Awajishima Island and Shodoshima Island.
Other vantage points overlooking the Seto Inland Sea are located on Mt. Monju, Mt. Kano, Mt. Dake-zan, and Mt. Shiraki.
The temperate climate of this area has contributed to the introduction of resort-style experiences that allow visitors to visit historic sites, engage in sea bathing, and explore the natural environment.
Shunan
[Nijigahama Coast]
The Murozumi-Nijigahama Coast has been selected one of the 100 best beach sites and one of the 100 best seashores of white sand and green pines in Japan. From the Shimada River in Hikari City, the Nijigahama Coast stretches westwards for 2.1 kilometers while the Murozumi Coast extends eastwards for 5.7 kilometers. The coast in both directions is highly popular among sea bathers.
Situated inland from this coast, Mt. Senbo has also been designated a part of the Setonaikai National Park.
Featuring a complex, submerged coastline, Kasadojima is an island where visitors can engage in fishing, camping, and other tourist activities.
In the Tokuyama Bay area, the peninsula that juts out to mark the eastern edge of the bay and the islands in the surrounding sea (including Kurokamijima and Otsushima) have been designated as belonging to the Setonaikai National Park. Located on the peninsula are Mt. Taika, Cape Ryugu, and other notable sites.
Shimonoseki
[Kanmon Straits]
Areas that are designated as belonging to the Setonaikai National Park dot the region near the Kanmon Straits.
An inland volcano overlooking the Kanmon Straits and the Kanju and Manju Forests positioned apart within the Kanmon Straits have been designated as belonging to the Setonaikai National Park. The latter two are primeval forests standing in isolation on islets. Castanopsis sieboldii trees and other species of vegetation associated with warm climates grow densely in these forests, which are protected as the enclave precincts of Iminomiya Jinja Shrine. Legendary stories concerning an eastern expedition undertaken by Empress Jingu can be linked to this area.
A volcano marks the westernmost point of Setonaikai National Park. A battery had been installed here to take advantage of the excellent views afforded by this location in wartime. Park improvement projects have been undertaken and a toll-charging parkway has been constructed.