Inland Sea Views on a 2 Day Walk Across the Aki Nada Islands

 

The Aki Nada Islands are a chain of islands in the Inland Sea between Hiroshima on Honshu and Ehime on Shikoku. Pictured above is Sannose Port on Shimo Kamagari Island with the bridge to Honshu in the background.

A series of 7 bridges connect most of the islands and the cycling route along the islands is called the Tobiishima Kaido. Kamikamagari is the next island after Shimokamagari. Pictured above is Oura on the eastern edge of the island.

From the bridge connecting Kamikamagari Island to Toyoshima, looking north to Honshu.

At the end of the first day I reached Toyohama on the eastern edge of Toyoshima, looking across at Osaki-Shimozima Island.

Next morning, looking back at Toyohama from the bridge connecting to Osaki Shimozima.

Looking back at the bridge connecting Toyoshima with Osaki Shimozima.

All the following shots are from the southern coast of Osaki Shimozima Island.

The final photo is of the harbour at Yutakamachiocho on the NE coast of Osaki Shimozima.

The previous post in the series was on Shotoen the garden and museums on the first island.

Kami Kamagari Island

After crossing the Kamagari Bridge from Shimokamagari Island I had two choices of route to cross Kami kamagari Island, one road hugs the north coast, and one the south. I chose the south as it appeared to be less populated and after crossing the bridge I noticed most traffic taking the north route. The view to the south across small islands towards Shikoku I also expected to be nicer than looking at mainland Hiroshima.

There were no houses along the road, but there were a couple of big quarries biting huge holes out of the steep slopes.

Looks to me like they were producing aggregate and there were several small piers extending into the sea which is obviously how the material was transported out.

Occasionaly a small beach appeared. Supposedly the southern peninsular of the island is home to the best beach in Hiroshima, and one of the top 100 beaches of Japan, but I did not venture to that part of the island.

High up on the mountainside I could see a large statues of Kannon, but no way was I going to climb up to investigate.

The road veered away from the coast, avoiding the settlements, and plunged through a new tunnel to emerge at the bridge taking me over to the next island, my destination for the evening.