Seto Inland Sea: A Tapestry of Islands

From the observatory atop Mt. Ōboshi (438m), visitors are treated to a sweeping vista of the southern Seto Inland Sea – a panorama of scattered islands that has earned worldwide acclaim.

This seascape so captivated Philipp Franz von Siebold, the German naturalist who visited Japan in the Edo period, that he sang its praises. Despite its placid appearance, the sea is known for swift currents that historically made navigation treacherous.

Yet, as the sky and clouds reflect on its surface, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene, it’s hard to imagine this tranquil, mystical landscape as anything but serene.