Free advice portal for relocating to Hiroshima’s idyllic Tobishima Kaido islands.

tobishimalife

What is Tobishima Life?

This is an advice portal for anyone thinking of moving to the Tobishima Kaido in the Seto Inland Sea. All our advisors live and work on the islands and moved here within the last six years.

Using our local knowledge and network of contacts within the community, we can provide you with valuable advice about relocating or starting new projects in this beautiful corner of Japan.

What is the Tobishima Kaido?

The Tobishima Kaido is a set of seven islands in the Seto Inland Sea connected to mainland Hiroshima by seven bridges. The final island on the Tobishima Kaido chain, Okamura, lies within Ehime Prefecture. Okamura has good ferry access to Shikoku and the Shimanami Kaido to the east.

The Tobishima Kaido's warm climate and terraced fields are perfectly suited for growing citrus. The aging farmers still cultivate the hillsides and produce some of the finest citrus in Japan.

The infrastructure and well-maintained facilities on the islands can help turn innovative ideas into reality. Residents have privileged access to certified food processing facilities, modern meeting rooms, concert halls, theaters (traditional and modern), sports grounds and gymnasiums. A host of local businesses and facilities also cater to a burgeoning tourist trade.

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Shimo-Kamagarijima

Shimo Kamagari is the first island you reach after crossing the Akinada Ohashi Bridge from the mainland. Historically, the island was an important port of call for Korean emissaries and their entourages during the Edo period (1603-1868).

Tourists visit Shimo Kamagari for its museums, galleries and historical buildings. In summer, people flock to the public beach and campsite at Kajigahama. The Tobishima Kaido’s main DIY and gardening store is located on Shimo Kamagari.

Kami-Kamagarijima

The largest of the five main Tobishima Kaido islands, Kami Kamagari is a paradise for beach-lovers. In the height of summer, people from far and wide head to the main stretch of golden beach at the Kenmin-no-Hama resort. Go any other time of year and chances are you will have the entire beach to yourself.

With a hot spring onsen, accommodation, restaurants, sea kayak rentals, strawberry picking, moshio-salt workshop, a space observatory, tennis courts, swimming pool and SUP rentals all within close proximity to Kenmin-no-Hama beach, there is plenty on offer for both visitors and local residents.

Toyoshima

The main town of Toyohama on the eastern side of Toyoshima is renowned for producing some of the finest fishermen in Japan. For centuries, the fishermen lived on their boats and fished the seas around the country, teaching locals fishing techniques in return for access to their waters. Although the house fishing boats have disappeared, the island is still famous for its high-quality catches of scabbard fish. Recently, a paid apprenticeship program is encouraging younger fishermen to move to Toyoshima to learn the fishing trade.

Osaki Shimojima

The beautiful town of Ocho – the largest on Osaki Shimojima – used to provide over 40% of the mikan oranges sold in Tokyo and grew the first Japanese lemon. The region is still famous for its delicious citrus fruits. During the citrus season, you can find stalls throughout the island selling mouthwatering varieties of oranges and lemons.

The picture-perfect harbor town of Mitarai on Osaki Shimojima is one of only three designated historical preservation districts in Hiroshima Prefecture. The town flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868) as a major harbor for trade ships heading to and from Osaka.

Okamurajima

Okamura is the last island on the Tobishima Kaido chain and officially a part of Ehime Prefecture. Although the bridges of the Tobishima Kaido stop at Okamura, ferry routes connect the island to Imabari and Omishima – both on the popular Shimanami Kaido cycling course.

Cyclists take full advantage of this access, using Okamura as a way to link the Tobishima and Shimanami cycling routes.

Outlying Islands

There are a number of inhabited islands accessible by boat or ferry from the Tobishima Kaido.

Accessible from Toyoshima – Itsuki Island.

Accessible from Osaki Shimojima – Mikado Island, Osaki Kamijima (with access to Takehara and Hiroshima Airport).

Accessible from Okamura – Oge Island, Koge Island.

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