Historical Inland Sea Tour

Join us for a historical Inland Sea Tour by boat

1-Day Tour: Sea Battles, Daimyo and Pirates

Historically, Japan’s Seto Inland Sea conjures up images of battles, daimyo and pirates. The Seto Naikai (inland sea) is the scene of the famous "Tale of the Heike" (Heike Monogatari) where in 1185 the Genji warriors won the battle against the Heike at Dan-no-ura bringing an end to the Gempei War (1180-1185). It is here where the hero of the story, Tomomori, gave his famous last words: “I have seen all there is to be seen,” before sacrificing himself to the sea.

Join us for a 1-day boat tour visiting three historic islands in Japan's Inland Sea:

1. Shiraishi Island (Departure point--20 mins. by ferry from Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture)

Our historic trip leaves Shiraishi Island on August 7 on a 26ft Japanese fishing boat. Shiraishi is one of the islands in the Inland Sea where the kitamaebune (northern-bound trade ships) rested during their long voyages to and from Edo.

Shiraishi Island is best known for its Bon dance, the Shiraishi Odori. The dance is designated one of Japan's Important Cultural Treasures. It is danced by the locals at Obon during the Festival of the Dead in August to appease the souls of the fallen Heike warriors during the decisive sea battle at Dan no Ura as told in the story The Heike Monogatari. After the battle, the bodies of the Heike warriors drifted down the Inland Sea and many of them washed up on the shores of

Shiraishi Island. The dance is performed to appease their souls and has been performed every year for over 800 years.

2. Omishima Island

Our first island stop after Shiraishi is Omishima, the site of one of Japan’s most important Shinto Shrines. Oyamazumi Jinja is surrounded by camphor trees thousands of years old and was built at the end of the Kamakura period in the early 1300s. It is said to have taken over a century to complete. The shrine was rebuilt in the Muromachi period (1333-1575) and is designated an Important Cultural Property.

Here Oyamazumi, the guardian deity of seafarers, was worshipped by the daimyo and warriors who came here to pray for strength and protection from pirates.

The House of Treasures, dubbed the “pirate museum,” is located within the shrine grounds and holds almost 80 percent of Japan’s treasures of ancient armor. Much of the armor and swords were left by emperors, daimyo and warriors as tribute.

The displays are located in two buildings, Shiyoden Hall/Kokuho-kan and Kaiji Museum. Here you can see armor made from silk braid, wood and leather from the Heian and Muromachi periods. Some of the more significant displays from the Heian period include armor Oryoshi Yoshikata used when he crushed the Sumitomo Fujiwara Revolt, violet-twilled armor used by Minamoto Yoritomo, the first shogun of Japan (1192), threaded armor used by Yoshitsune Minamoto 800 years ago.

Of note is a display of women’s armor that belonged to Yasumochi Ohoir’s daughter Tsuruhime. Tsuruhime became a tragic heroine and is now remembered in the Tsuruhime Matsuri (Princess Tsuru Festival) every July on Omishima.

The legend of Turuhime is that she successfully fought off the Ouchi Clan when they tried to occupy Omishima in the 16^th century. However, upon hearing that her fiancé had not survived the battle, she sacrificed herself by throwing herself into the sea. The festival celebrates her bravery and is a memorial to her fighting spirit. The annual festival includes a Kaidenma boat race, a parade where skits are performed from the Tsuruhime legend and a fireworks display.

The pirate museum also displays scrolls, helmets (one in the shape of a chicken) and an

impressive collection of samurai swords. The swords include those used by Yoshitsune Minamoto in the Battle of the Genpei and Hikohichi Omori’s sword used to behead Masashige Kusunoki.

Inside the Kaiji Museum is a 15-ton wooden boat that the late Showa Emperor used for marine biology research. The second floor displays natural sea salts and ores that come from the Seto Inland Sea, as well as various sea creatures such as starfish, sea turtles and giant crabs.

3. Osakishimojima

A cat walks across the street of the sleepy Mitarai port town on Osakishimojima

Our last place to visit on this day is Mitarai (formerly Yutaka Machi) a port town on Osakaishimo Island that has been designated a “Historic Conservation District of National Importance” Mitarai was famous for trade and entertainment starting in the Edo period and continuing into the 1940’s. As a port town, it catered to men aboard ships on the trade routes bringing rice, herring and seaweed from the Japan Sea coast to distribute to Osaka and Kyoto. What became known as the "Mitarai price" determined the average price of the rice in Osaka.

Dutch traders and merchants also stopped by Mitarai, and feudal samurai lords dropped by to rest here on their way to and from Edo. Much of the town has been preserved and it is well-marked with signboards at points of interest. You can climb up “History Hill” for panoramic views of the old port. There is also a graveyard on top where many of the town’s courtesans are buried.

Up until 2008, the town and island could only be accessed by boat. There is now a bridge so busses and cars can easily visit, but the town has been able to maintain its old Edo flavor for so long due to its remote location. Walking down the two main streets, you feel more like you are walking around a movie set. You can go inside some of the old buildings such as the former cinema and one of the former brothels.

End of Tour

After Osakishimo Island, you have three options for drop off:

Drop off at Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture), Mihara (Kure, Hiroshima prefecture) or return to Shiraishi Island that evening.

For reservations, information and costs, email us at shiraishireservations at yahoo.com