島じゅうが“心地よい発見”で満たされていた
京都から車で瀬戸大橋を越えるドライブとフェリーを経て、約3時間。穏やかに揺れるフェリーの船窓から見える海風と島影。それだけで、心がふっとほどけていく。降り立った小豆島は、自然と歴史、食文化が優しく混ざり合った、宝箱のような場所だった。
The entire island was filled with gentle, delightful discoveries
It takes about three hours from Kyoto by car, crossing the Seto Ohashi Bridge and boarding a ferry. As the boat gently rocks across the calm sea, the sight of the breeze and islands through the window begins to loosen something inside you. When you finally arrive on Shodoshima, you’re welcomed by a place like a treasure chest—where nature, history, and food culture blend together with quiet harmony.
スケールの大きさに圧倒される
春会期のハイライトは、何といってもアート作品たち。なかでも王文志（ワン・ウェンチー）の「抱擁・小豆島」は圧巻だ。中山千枚田の斜面に、約4,000本の竹で編まれた巨大ドームが、春の光と風を受けてそっと立ち上がる。中に入れば、竹の隙間から漏れる陽の光と風が肌を撫で、自然と一体になれる感覚。まるで島に抱きしめられているような、不思議な安心感がある。ここは「狙って出会うべき瞬間」をくれる場所だ。
そのすぐ近くには、豊福亮による「黄金の海に消えた船」が待っている。かつての倉庫が、竜宮城のように金の装飾で彩られ、池や噴水、貝殻の建物に囲まれている世界は、まるで別惑星。たらい舟で水上を漂いながら眺めるその風景は幻想的で、水の神話を身近に感じられるアート体験だ。
小豆島には40点以上ものアート作品が点在するため、1日で全部を回るにはかなり駆け足に。フェリーや会場間の時間を考えると、1日半〜2日は見ておくのが賢明だ。これなら観光とアート、両方の余韻をしっかり味わえる。
Overwhelmed by the Grand Scale
The highlight of the spring season is, without a doubt, the art installations. Among them, Wang Wen-Chih’s Embrace – Shodoshima is truly breathtaking. Perched on the slopes of the terraced rice fields of Nakayama Senmaida, this massive dome—woven from over 4,000 bamboo poles—rises gently into the spring light and breeze. Step inside, and sunlight filters through the bamboo gaps while the wind brushes your skin, creating a profound sense of unity with nature. It feels as if the island itself is holding you in a quiet embrace. This is one of those places that invites you to seek out a moment worth finding.
Just nearby, Ryo Toyofuku’s A Boat Lost in the Sea of Gold awaits. An old warehouse has been transformed into something straight out of a fairy tale—with shimmering gold decorations, pools, fountains, and buildings adorned with seashells. Floating in a basin on a wash-tub boat, the surreal landscape feels like stepping into another planet—a fantastical art experience that brings water mythology to life.
With over 40 artworks scattered across Shodoshima, trying to see everything in a single day would be a whirlwind. Taking ferry schedules and travel time between locations into account, planning for a day and a half to two days is the smart choice. That way, you can savor both the art and the island’s charm without rushing.
自然とアートをゆったり鑑賞して
アート巡りの合間に訪れたいのが、「オリーブ公園」。広大なオリーブ畑とギリシャ風車の景色は、まるで地中海のリゾートに来たかのような美しさ。カメラを手に自然に歩く人々は、誰もが笑顔だ。
さらに島の魅力は自然や歴史にも根ざしている。エンジェルロード、寒霞渓、中山千枚田は春の緑に包まれ、伝統農業の風景が心を満たす。オリーブ、手延べ素麺、400年以上続く醤油の蔵元……小豆島は「食の島」としても多彩だ。「二十四の瞳映画村」や迷路のまちといった映画・ドラマのロケ地巡りも楽しめる豊かな環境がある。
歩けば歩くほど見つかるのが、島の奥ゆかしい「日常」の風景。竹のドームの帰り道、地元のバスに乗って実際の暮らしと交わる瞬間こそ、小豆島ならではのリアルな旅だ。宿やカフェに腰を据えて、一杯のコーヒーとともに、島の時間をゆったり味わう旅プランも素敵だ。
夜には、穏やかな海と星空が旅人を包み込む。朝は鳥の声と潮風の目覚め。そういう「時間の深さ」こそが、小豆島でしか手に入らないものだ。
観光もアートも食も。すべてを楽しみ尽くすには時間がかかるけれど、それがあってこそ、旅は深まっていくものだ。そんな余白のある旅先として、小豆島はこの春、間違いなく心に残る場所だ。
Slow Down and Savor Nature and Art
Between art stops, one place not to miss is the Olive Park. Its sweeping olive groves and a picturesque Greek windmill give the illusion of a Mediterranean getaway. Everyone strolling through with a camera in hand seems to have the same thing in common—a smile.
But Shodoshima’s charm goes far beyond art. The island’s beauty is deeply rooted in its nature and history. In spring, iconic spots like Angel Road, Kankakei Gorge, and Nakayama Senmaida are wrapped in fresh greenery, offering serene views of Japan’s traditional agricultural landscape. As a “food island,” Shodoshima also delights the senses—with olives, hand-stretched somen noodles, and soy sauce breweries that have operated for over 400 years. You can also enjoy location-hopping to places like the Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village or the winding alleys of Meiro no Machi, both famous film and TV shooting spots.
The more you walk, the more you’ll discover the island’s gentle, humble way of life. On the way back from the bamboo dome, hopping on a local bus and mingling with the rhythms of everyday island life gives you a glimpse of Shodoshima’s genuine spirit. Finding a quiet café or inn, sitting down with a cup of coffee, and letting island time flow at its own pace—there’s something special in that, too.
At night, the calm sea and starlit sky wrap you in silence. In the morning, birdsong and sea breeze offer the softest wake-up call. That deep sense of time—unhurried and grounding—is something only this island can offer.
Sightseeing, art, food—there’s so much to explore that you’ll want more than a quick visit. But that’s exactly why the journey becomes so rich. Shodoshima invites you to travel with space to breathe, and this spring, it promises to be a place you’ll never forget.
