One of a Kind Scenic Views from the Seto Inland Sea Cruise

The City of Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan has been attracting attention worldwide as a top emerging travel destination.
Takamatsu was ranked among the top 10 trending destinations for travelers to explore in 2020 by Booking.com, the world's largest accommodation website.
Skyscanner, a travel comparison website, selected Takamatsu as one of the top 2020 trending destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
One of the great charms of Takamatsu is the Seto Inland Sea, where the islands float and scenic beauty spreads across the sea.

It was in the mid-1800s when the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea began to attract the attention of overseas visitors.
Philipp Franz von Siebold, a German doctor, journeyed to Edo in 1826 accompanying the head of the Dutch trading post in Nagasaki.
The German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen, who visited the Seto Inland Sea in 1860, wrote in his travelogue, "Graceful scenery covers an extensive area, and nothing in the world could be better than this."

Connecting the islands with regular ferry/boat services, Takamatsu Port has excellent access for sea trips and within walking distance from JR Takamatsu Station and Kotoden Takamatsu Chikko Station.If you’d like to relax and tour the islands of the Seto Inland Sea in a private setting, charter a boat and set off on a cruising trip from Takamatsu Port.

Spending Time on a Cruiser Boat

The Gentle Slopes of the Sanuki Mountains, and Overlapping Island Silhouettes
As your boat advances, the ever-changing landscape unfolds in front of you just like Siebold saw 200 years ago.

Fishing boats and ferries come and go, and occasionally seagulls drift by.

Experience the Joy of Cruising on the Beautiful Seto Inland Sea

The cruiser boat has a spacious living room, kitchen, bedroom, and toilet.

This boat also has seats upstairs for a 360-degree view of the sea and sky.

Enjoy gazing out at the white wake of a breaking wave.

For a group, a casual water taxi is also available.

Cruising Spots in the Seto Inland Sea

Enjoying the scenery that can only be seen from a boat is one of the best parts of cruising the Seto Inland Sea.
Only a charter boat can offer the spectacular view from underneath the Seto Ohashi Bridge.

The Seto Ohashi Bridge is one of the world's longest highway–rail bridges with a total length of 9,368 meters. It consists of six parts: three suspension bridges, two cable-stayed bridges, and one truss bridge.

Take a look up at the powerful structure of the Seto Ohashi Bridge from below, and you will find the gracefully curved suspension bridges, the cable-stayed bridges that look like a swan spreading its wings, and the mighty ironclad look of the truss bridge.

The former stone quarry site at the foot of the bridge look like historic ruins.

The island's art and lighthouses look different when viewed from the sea rather than the land.

As you approach the Port of Megijima Island, you will see the "Sea Gulls Parking Lot" by Takahito Kimura.

The Ogishima Lighthouse stands at the north end of Ogijima Island. Only on a chartered boat can you see the Ogishima Lighthouse from the sea.

Takamatsu Port’s Tamamo Breakwater Lighthouse, commonly known as "Setoshirube," watches over ships entering and leaving the port.

The glow of this iconic red lighthouse grows brighter as the sun sets over the water, making for a truly one of a kind sunset view over the Seto Inland Sea.
After enjoying your cruising trip, you can stay on board the boat too.

Accompany your Cruising Trip with "Setouchi Gourmet"

Having extraordinary meals while cruising is another thing to look forward to, whether it's a barbecue on the deck or takeout from a restaurant in town.

It's also recommended to dock at the port and dine at a restaurant that serves local cuisine and seafood from the Seto Inland Sea.

In fact, Takamatsu residents love octopus and are its top consumers in Japan. Nurtured by the tidal currents of the Seto Inland Sea, you can savor the sweet taste of fresh octopus with a tasty firm texture.

Drying the boiled octopus increases the savory flavor, or Umami.

Recommended Seto Inland Sea Cruising Courses To and From Takamatsu

There are many islands that are easily accessible from Takamatsu Port. The charm of a private cruise in the Seto Inland Sea is that you can visit the islands freely without being restricted by regular ferry/boat schedules or routes. Here are two recommended courses that are not available on fixed routes.

●Takamatsu Port - Naoshima Island - Shodoshima Island - Ogijima Island - Takamatsu Port
Within 30 minutes of Takamatsu Port, you can visit islands of Shodoshima, Naoshima, Teshima, and Ogijima, which are full of museums, art, and cafes. A cruiser boat can also take you from one port to another on the same island.

Click here for the article on Ogijima Island.

●Takamatsu Port - Honjima Island - Awashima Island - Megijima Island - Takamatsu Port
You can enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of the islands on a voyage that follows the paths of sailors, including Honjima Island, home of the old Shiwaku Suigun navy, and Awashima Island, where the first maritime academy in Japan was established.

Click here for the article on Megijima Island.

If you want to fully experience the lifestyle of the islanders and the local food, traveling the Seto Inland Sea with a local guide will make your island trip even more memorable.

A Trip Planned by a Concierge Who Knows All the Charms of the Islands of the Seto Inland Sea

In the Seto Inland Sea, there are many attractive islands just outside of the city limits of Takamatsu, including Naoshima, which is attracting attention from around the world as “The Art Island.” Shodoshima, which is known as the “Olive Island” is a must-see spot with dramatic landscapes, such as Kankakei Gorge and Angel Road.

▼Naoshima Travel Information by the Town of Naoshima Tourism Association (official site)　

▼Shodoshima Tourism Association 【(official site)】

If you’d like to know more about how to spend your time on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, the Setouchi Island Concierge Service can provide you with tailor-made suggestions for your requirements.A Seto Inland Sea Cruise is perfect not just for sightseeing, but also as a surprise for anniversaries, entertaining your loved ones, as well as hospitality for someone important.

Spend a special time together that you will never forget on a very extraordinary Seto Inland Sea cruising trip.