Angel Road, a mystical sandbar walkway that appears when the tide recedes, is one of Shodoshima’s most popular tourist spots, attracting over 200,000 visitors every year. Around the area, you'll find monuments inspired by Angel Road, making it a hot topic on social media thanks to its Instagram-worthy views. In this article, we’ll introduce tourist information and highlights about "Angel Road," Shodoshima’s most romantic scenic spot.
What is Angel Road?
Angel Road is a sandbar path that stretches from Maejima to Yoshima on the western side of Shodoshima. It connects Bentenjima, Nakayoshima, Koyoshima, and Ooyoshima over a distance of about 500 meters. This mystical walkway only appears twice a day during low tide.
What made Angel Road famous is the romantic legend that says, “Couples who walk hand in hand across it will find happiness.” After being featured in media, it became a popular filming location for movies and TV dramas. In 2009, it was even recognized as a "Lover’s Sanctuary."
The closest island, Nakayoshima, is perfect for a casual stroll along its perimeter. You'll see steep cliffs and uniquely shaped rocks, almost like natural works of art. Beyond that lies Koyoshima, which has rough terrain, and further still is Ooyoshima, which is off-limits without permission, so be sure not to enter.
Recommended Times to Visit
You definitely shouldn’t miss the low tide, which happens twice a day. Since the sandy path only appears for about 2 to 3 hours before and after low tide, it’s important to check the tide schedule in advance. You can find the Angel Road tide chart on Shodoshima’s official tourism website or on nearby hotel websites.
The most beautiful time to view Angel Road is either just as the tide begins to recede or right before the path disappears underwater. Watching the road slowly emerge from the sea is truly magical. If you want to catch this sight, aim to arrive about three hours before low tide.
The scenery is so beautiful that you may get carried away taking pictures! Just make sure you’re careful not to lose track of time and get stranded when the tide comes back in.
Don’t Miss the View from Bentenjima
At the tip of Maejima lies Bentenjima, where an observation deck offers a panoramic view of Angel Road. There’s also a bell monument reminiscent of a chapel, making it a romantic and photogenic spot that’s incredibly popular. You’ll even find a place to hang ema (wooden prayer plaques), adding to its reputation as a power spot for good luck.
From the observation deck, you can take in the entire view of Angel Road, as well as the sunset sinking into the Seto Inland Sea and the ebb and flow of the tides. On clear days, you can even see Yashima in Takamatsu City, famous for the Genpei War’s Battle of Yashima, making this a must-visit viewpoint.
Don’t Miss the Hidden Spot: “Path of Hope”
Did you know there’s another sandy path in Shodoshima? It’s called the “Path of Hope.” Located beneath Nanpudai on the eastern tip of the island, it’s a hidden gem just like Angel Road. The sandbar appears only during low tide and leads you to Jōgashima.
The tricky part is that the time when the path appears is short, and there’s no public tide information available. So, it’s hard to predict when to visit. However, because it’s not a well-known tourist spot, there are fewer people, and you can enjoy a peaceful walk—as if you’re on your own private beach.
Access
[By Bus]
Take the Shodoshima Olive Bus on the "Nishiura Line" and get off at "Kokusai Hotel." Angel Road is right there. The Nishiura Line runs from Tonosho Port, with both eastbound and westbound routes, so be careful not to take the wrong one.
[By Car/Taxi]
The closest port to Angel Road, located in the western part of Shodoshima, is Tonosho Port. See below for travel times from each port. All routes can be accessed via National Route 436.
Ikeda Port (from Takamatsu): 10 minutes
Kusakabe Port (from Takamatsu): 20 minutes
Sakate Port (from Kobe/Takamatsu): 30 minutes
Fukuda Port (from Himeji): 55 minutes
Tonosho Port (from Takamatsu/Okayama): 5 minutes
Obe Port (from Okayama): 30 minutes
Name: Angel Road
Address: Ginpaura, Tonosho-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.town.tonosho.kagawa.jp/kanko/tnks/info133.html
◎ Don’t Miss the Beautiful Sunset
Angel Road shows its charm even at sunset. As the sun sets, it paints the surface of the sea in brilliant shades of orange, creating a sparkling, breathtaking view. Be sure to enjoy the stunning sunset scenery along with the romantic atmosphere of Angel Road, which is known as a "Lover's Sanctuary." It’s also a perfect spot for proposals and surprise events.