Located to the east of the center of Shodoshima Island in the Setouchi National Park, Shodoshima Town is known as the birthplace of olive cultivation in Japan. Blessed with a beautiful natural environment, it is surrounded by the sea and mountains, with a pleasant climate, mild temperatures, and little rainfall. Kankakei Gorge, with its spectacular views of oddly shaped rocks and cliffs formed by volcanic activity approximately 13 million years ago, is considered one of the three most beautiful valleys in Japan and is a world-class scenic spot on Shodoshima. Shodoshima also has a rich food culture, including soy sauce, tsukudani (simmered kelp), somen noodles, and olives, as well as traditions and history, such as farmers’ kabuki and the 88 sacred sites of the Shodoshima Pilgrimage, making it a popular tourist destination within the prefecture, blessed with abundant tourist resources despite being a remote island. In recent years, the Setouchi International Art Festival, held every three years, has increased recognition of the island overseas, resulting in a marked increase in demand for inbound tourism.

Shodoshima Town was designated as a model destination for the Japan Tourism Agency’s Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations Model Project in FY2021 , and was selected as one of the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories Competition for two consecutive years, in 2021 and 2022.

It is currently in the process of raising awareness among staff, businesses, and local residents to foster a sustainable mindset based on the SDGs and international standards, and we are also laying the groundwork for the continued development of the island as a sustainable tourism destination.