National Parks of Japan

Location of Setonaikai National Park
View of sea dotted with islands from Mt. Shiude (Kagawa Prefecture)
Tomonoura Taiami Sea Bream Netting Festival (Hiroshima Prefecture)

Islands and islets dot the calm sea in the Setonaikai National Park, where fishing boats come and go and quiet sunsets dazzle the seascapes, with terraced mandarin orange orchards and seaside towns, where people live in harmony with nature and the splendid and colorful natural scenery.

View of Setonaikai
The Setonaikai was one of the first areas of Japan to be designated a national park in 1934, along with Unzen and Kirishima. Located in Western Japan, the park can be reached from Tokyo by plane and rail in about 2-3 hours, and from Osaka by rail in about 1-3 hours. The calm waters of the Setonaikai are dotted with islands, both big and small, offering impressive scenic views from various angles, whether from land, boats or lookout spots. Since ancient times, this area has flourished as an important water transportation route and has had a thriving population of people. It is characterised by welcoming scenery created by people living together with the nature of the sea and islands. As such, there are people living within the national park, as well as shrines and temples, rice paddies and farms, and fruit orchards. The nature of this national park has been protected alongside the coexistence of humans and nature.

Setouchi - a world travel destination
The Setonaikai, also called "Setouchi", was the only place in Japan selected by the New York Times as one of the "52 Places to Go in 2019".

Visitors can experience a variety of activities at the Setonaikai National Park and surrounding areas. Water activities include cruises around the island-dotted seas, island hopping, sea kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboard and sightseeing boats. On land, visitors can experience activities including cycling on the Shimanami Kaido, camping on uninhabited islands, trekking and cooking classes. Additionally, in recent years the islands of the Setonaikai have served as the stage for an international arts festival, with tours of islands to see the artworks. Have a look at Setonaikai National Park's online videos and our official Facebook page.

Why not come to Setonaikai National Park and see not only our amazing natural scenery, but also experience our culture, glimpse the lives of local people, and enjoy art!