Both offer clear water, photogenic scenery, and quieter beaches than mainstream resorts, according to on-site reporting and traveler feedback.

Shodoshima is the second-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea and is known for a mild, relatively dry climate. Ferries connect the island to multiple ports, with frequent one-hour sailings from Takamatsu. Olives are everywhere: the island leads Japan in cultivation by area and output, and shops stock everything from olive oil and hot sauce to olive soda. Beyond olives, Shodoshima has a soy-sauce tradition dating back more than 400 years, and much of the Kadoya brand sesame oil familiar from supermarkets nationwide is produced here. The island is also a center for hand-stretched somen; it is counted among Japan’s leading somen regions, and restaurants serve specialties such as chilled house noodles around 650 yen and limited-quantity fresh, undried somen at about 800 yen.

The island’s scenery underpins its appeal. At Angel Road, a sandbar appears for a few hours at low tide, drawing lines of visitors for photos. At Shodoshima Olive Park, a filming location for the live-action "Kiki’s Delivery Service," travelers pose with free broom rentals and time their jumps so they look airborne in pictures. The open set from the 1987 film "Twenty-Four Eyes" evokes early-Showa landscapes, while the Kankakei Ropeway lifts visitors over a dramatic gorge with sweeping views of the sea below. A new unmanned drone photo service began operating here on August 1st, automatically capturing commemorative aerial shots over the gorge. In August, the Setouchi Triennale’s summer season places contemporary art installations across ports and village streets, inviting a photo-walk that pairs artwork with sea views.

Jalan News’s pick, Fukue Island, sits at the heart of the Goto chain. Travelers typically fly to Nagasaki and continue about 90 minutes by high-speed ferry. The island is larger than many expect—about half the area of Tokyo’s 23 wards—with a population around 30,000, yet its streets and beaches remain noticeably uncrowded. Takahama Beach spreads a broad strip of pale sand before a gradation of clear, blue water and is listed among Japan’s notable beaches. Even on a three-day weekend just after the official beach opening, swimmers reported near-private conditions. Visitors say the trip often costs less than heading to Okinawa’s famous islands, with flights and rooms easier to secure and overall expenses sometimes 10,000–20,000 yen lower.

Seafood is a daily highlight. Markets and supermarkets carry locally caught fish at accessible prices, and travelers pick up sashimi and thick-cut mackerel sushi to eat at lodgings or take home. Away from the coast, Fukue’s sights range from Fukue Castle remains to historic churches that reflect Nagasaki’s cultural ties. As the day ends, many head up Onidake, a low, easily climbed volcanic cone on the island’s southern side. Clear evenings bring sunset panoramas that give way to star-filled skies; locals note that the Milky Way is distinctly visible when conditions are right.

The two recommendations point to a similar payoff: islands where travelers can claim stretches of beach to themselves, pair local food traditions with distinctive photo spots, and come away with summer memories that feel singular to place.

Source: FNN

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