Shōdoshima facts for kids
Shōdoshima (which means "Small Bean Island" in Japanese) is a beautiful island located in the Inland Sea of Japan. It's a popular place for both locals and tourists to visit. The island is known for its stunning natural beauty, unique traditions, and delicious local products.
Shōdoshima is home to two main towns: Tonoshō and Shōdoshima. The island is also famous for growing olives, which is why it's often called "Olive Island."
Contents
Discovering Shōdoshima
Shōdoshima is the second-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. It's part of Kagawa Prefecture. The island has a warm climate, which is perfect for growing olives and other crops.
What Does "Small Bean Island" Mean?
The name "Shōdoshima" comes from the Japanese words for "small" (shō), "bean" (azu, which becomes do in this case), and "island" (shima). So, it literally means "Island of Small Beans." This name might come from the island's history of growing azuki beans, which are small red beans used in many Japanese sweets.
Olive Island: A Special Nickname
Shōdoshima is the first place in Japan where olives were successfully grown. This happened over 100 years ago! Because of this, the island has a strong connection to olives. You can find olive groves, olive oil, and even olive-themed parks here. The warm weather and sunny days on Shōdoshima are very similar to the Mediterranean regions where olives usually grow.
Angel Road: A Path to Love
One of the most famous spots on Shōdoshima is called Angel Road. This is a sandy path that only appears at low tide. It connects the main island to three smaller islands. People say that if you walk across Angel Road holding hands with someone special, your wishes will come true! It's a very romantic and popular spot.
Kankakei Gorge: Nature's Beauty
Kankakei is a stunning gorge on Shōdoshima. It's known as one of Japan's three most beautiful gorges. You can take a ropeway (a cable car) up the mountain to see amazing views of the gorge and the Seto Inland Sea. The scenery changes with the seasons, from fresh green in spring to fiery red leaves in autumn.
Images for kids
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Olive Shima-chan, the island's mascot, is a cute character representing the island's famous olives.
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The windmill in Shodoshima Olive Park was presented to Shōdo Island by the Greek island of Milos, showing a connection between olive-growing regions.
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Kankakei Gorge offers breathtaking views, especially during autumn when the leaves change color.
See also
In Spanish: Shōdoshima para niños
