Kutsuna Islands, Island group in Seto Inland Sea, Japan
The Kutsuna Islands are a group of 29 islands in the Seto Inland Sea, lying northeast of Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture. Nine of them are permanently inhabited, while the rest are uninhabited and covered with vegetation.
The islands were originally part of the ancient Iyo Province and later came under the control of the Kutsuna pirates, a seafaring clan that dominated these straits. Their presence shaped the way this part of the Inland Sea was navigated and used for centuries.
The name Kutsuna comes directly from the seafaring clan that once controlled these waters, and this connection is still part of local identity. On the inhabited islands, daily life centers on fishing, and small harbors are usually the first thing visitors notice when arriving by ferry.
Getting to the islands requires taking a ferry, and the right departure port depends on which island you want to reach, since Takahama Port serves Gogoshima and Nakajima while Hojo Port connects to Aijima. It is worth checking ferry schedules in advance, as service frequency can vary by season.
Nakajima, the largest island in the group, hosts a yearly race that combines swimming and running, drawing competitors from across the region. Part of the course takes place in open sea water between the islands, which makes it one of the more unusual sporting events in this part of Japan.
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