Inland Sea National Park (Setonaikai)

The Inland Sea (Setonaikai) is a wide arm of the sea extending between the islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, with about a thousand small islands and islets, magnificent beaches and quiet little coves containing small fishing villages. The exceptionally mild climate ensures a rich and varied pattern of vegetation. The Inland Sea is linked to the Sea of Japan by the Kammon Strait and to the Pacific by the Straits of Kii, Kitan, Naruto, Hoyo and Bungo. Over most of its area the Inland Sea is no more than 130ft/ 40m deep. There are strong tidal movements and counter-currents in the various straits.

Much of the area was declared a National Park in 1934, including part of the island of Shodojima, the Yashima Peninsula, the island of Sensui, Cape Abuto and Mount Washuzan. The Inland Sea National Park (land area 254sq.mi/ 659sq.km) now extends much farther southwest reaching as far as the coasts of northeastern Kyushu. In the east it extends to the island of Awaji.