Tonosho, Port town on Shōdoshima Island, Japan
Tonosho sits on the western coast of Shōdoshima, the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, and serves as its administrative center. The town spreads from the port inland, mixing modern facilities with older residential neighborhoods.
The town center developed during the Muromachi period with a complex street network designed to protect against invaders. Later it grew as a port town when sea trade increased in the region.
The town is known for traditional crafts like sesame oil, olive, and sōmen noodle production, which continue to shape local families today. These products are part of daily life and can be discovered in small shops and local markets.
The main terminal and various ferry docks make it easy to reach and explore the town. Most visitors arrive here and can walk or take local buses into the town center or to other parts of the island.
At low tide, Angel Road emerges as a natural sandbar connecting the island to smaller offshore islands nearby. This fleeting phenomenon is visible for only a few hours and draws visitors wanting to witness this rare sight.
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