▲ In Spring, enjoy cherry blossoms against the Seto Inland Sea. (Late March - mid-April)
▲ In Summer, see hydrangeas in full bloom.（June - July）
Located on the Shonai Peninsula in Mitoyo, Kagawa, Mt. Shiude rewards those who travel off the beaten path.
Walk along the mountaintop path to the observation deck, where breathtaking views of the island-dotted
Seto Inland Sea spreads before you and the outline of mainland Japan beckons in the distance.
Drenched in cherry blossoms during the Spring and dotted with hydrangeas in the Summer,
Mt. Shiude offers ever-changing scenery that delights year-round.
A Name with Legendary Origins
Mt. Shiude's name means "mountain of emerging purple clouds" and originates from the Legend of Urashima Taro, a popular Japanese folktale. Many people believe that the story took place around the Shonai Peninsula.
According to the story, Urashima Taro was a fisherman who saved a turtle, and in return, the turtle carried him to a palace below the sea where he was entertained by a beautiful princess. Eventually, growing homesick, he told the princess of his desire to return to his home, and she sent him back after gifting him with a treasure box and instructing him to never open it. Urashima Taro returned to his village to find that many years had passed. Forgetting the princess's instructions, he opened the treasure box- allowing a cloud of smoke to escape- and found himself transformed into an old man.
It's said that when Urashima Taro opened the treasure box, the escaping smoke formed purple clouds which hung over the mountain that is now Mt. Shiude, giving it this name.
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Mountaintop Observation Deck
- At 352 meters above sea level, the observation deck atop Mt. Shiude affords a beautiful view of numerous islands dotting the sea to the East and the comparatively empty sea to the West with mainland Japan visible in the distance.
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Museum and Cafe
- The Archaeological Museum displays ancient earthenware and stoneware items excavated on Mt. Shiude dating back over 2000 years. Inside the museum's cafe, grab a drink, or just relax at the counter where the expanse of the inland sea unfolds below you.
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Matchmaking Clam Shells
- It is said that these charms bring happiness when the shells are put together. Many couples write their wishes on the shells and tie their charm to a nearby tree!
Car Access:Directions via Google Maps
- Addresses for GPS use:
- Japanese: 紫雲出山遺跡館 香川県三豊市 詫間町大浜乙451-1
- English: Kagawa, Mitoyo, Takuma-cho, Ohama Otsu 451-1
- Via Takamatsu: Get off the highway at the Mitoyo-Tossaka exit and travel about 45 minutes.
- Via Matsuyama:Get off the highway at the Sanuki Toyonaka exit and travel about 45 minutes.
Community Bus Access:Bus TimetableRoute Map
- JR
Takuma
Station - 30 min
(Takuma Line) - Ohama
Bus
Stop - 5 min
(Shonai Line)
West - Mt. Shiude
Bus Stop - 50 min
(walk) - Mountaintop
Parking - 7 min
(walk) - Mt. Shiude
Observation
Deck
Tour Buses:
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Bus Accessibility
- The path up Mt. Shiude is very narrow in places and cannot accommodate large tour buses.
- Seasonal overgrowth of the path may also prevent passage by medium tour buses.
- Small- or micro-sized buses are recommended to ensure passage up the mountain.
Taxis:Taxi Information
- JR
Takuma
Station - 30 min
(taxi) - Mountaintop
Parking - 7 min
(walk) - Mt. Shiude
Observation
Deck
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Fare Information
- The fare for a round-trip taxi from Takuma Station is approximately ￥9,000.
Rental Cars:Rental Information
- JR
Takuma
Station - 30 min
(drive) - Mountaintop
Parking - 7 min
(walk) - Mt. Shiude
Observation
Deck
▼ 2020 Mt. Shiude Sakura Season Travel Guide (Cancelled)
Don't forget to check out the view from the second mountaintop parking lot!
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Blooming Period
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Late March - Mid-April (Estimated)
- Because of Mt. Shiude's elevation, the cherry trees on the mountain can be expected to bloom approximately 1 week after the trees in the surrounding area.
Large crowds are expected during the peak of Mt. Shiude's sakura season. For the safety and comfort of all our guests, the road up the mountain will be closed to private vehicles during business hours for the duration of the viewing period. Please hike or use the shuttle buses to travel to the mountaintop.
Click here if you plan to visit outside of business hours
- Sakura Season 2020 has been cancelled and the mountain will be closed to all visitors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for understanding.
- ..2019 Information (English, PDF)
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Sakura Season 2020
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Wednesday, March 25th - Monday, April 13th
- Dates are subject to change in accordance with the actual blooming period.
| Bus Stop | Ohama Fishing Port (Ohama Ko 2471 Takuma-cho, Mitoyo, Kagawa) |
|---|---|
| Dates | March 25 - April 13, 2020 |
| Parking | Free, approx. 700 spaces |
| Bus Fare | One way: Cancelled Round-trip: Cancelled Children elementary school and younger ride free |
| Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 (runs as needed) Last bus from Ohama: 17:00 Last bus from mountaintop: 18:45 |
- Address for GPS:
- 甲２４７１ Takumachō Ōhama, Mitoyo-shi, Kagawa-ken 769-1104
- Click here to open in Google Maps.
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By Car
- Expressway exit
Sanuki Toyonaka
or
Mitoyo-Tossaka - Drive
30-35 min - Ohama
Fishing
Port - Shuttle
Bus - Mountaintop
Parking - Walk
7 min - Mt. Shiude
Lookout Point
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Via Public Transit
- JR Takuma
Station - Community bus
30 min - Ohama
Bus Stop - Walk 300m
- Ohama Fishing
Port - Shuttle
Bus - Mountaintop
Parking - Walk
7 min - Mt. Shiude
Lookout Point
- Take the Takuma Line or Takuma-Mino Line community bus from Takuma Station (￥100 one way)
Bus Timetable
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Large Buses
- The path up Mt. Shiude cannot accommodate large buses. Visitors arriving on a large-sized bus must change to a medium- or small-sized bus, or take the shuttle bus to the mountaintop. On weekends during the height of Sakura Season, it can take 1-2 hours to reach the peak, so please make your travel plans accordingly.
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Tour Buses
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Tour buses whose occupants do not use the shuttle buses must pay a travel fee to go up the mountain. This fee is ￥10,000 per bus. Please stop at Ohama Fishing Port to pay before heading up the mountain.
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Chartered Tour Buses
- Urashima Kanko offers a Mt. Shiude travel plan where visitors on large buses can change over to two microbuses. Anyone interested in their services can see this PDF (Japanese only) for more information.
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Outside of operating hours (8:00 am - 7:30 pm) traffic guides will not be available. Large buses are still not permitted up the mountain at this time. All others may enter at their own risk.
Mountaintop Parking
Only approximately 70 cars can park at the top of Mt. Shiude
Due to the limited amount of parking at the top, all vehicles must vacate the mountaintop parking lot at 8:00 am so that as many people as possible will be able to enjoy the flowers.
Visitors are welcome to return to the mountain via shuttle bus after moving their vehicle.
- (1) Due to Mt. Shiude's status as a national park, open flames are not permitted anywhere on the mountain. This includes - but is not limited to - barbecue grills, burners, and fireworks.
(2) The use of drones will not be allowed on Mt. Shiude during or around Sakura Season for the safety and comfort of visitors. Press and media should contact the Mitoyo Tourism and Exchange Authority (0875-56-5880 or info@mitoyo.org) for permission in advance.
Additional Warnings
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Contact
- Mitoyo Tourism and Exchange Authority
TEL:0875-56-5880 (8:30 - 17:15 except Tues.) - Email us: info@mitoyo.org
