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British Airways, Japan Airlines and ANA fly nonstop from London to Tokyo; Osaka-Kansai, the closest international gateway, is reached with a connection in Europe or Asia. From Shin-Osaka, the Shinkansen reaches Okayama in about 45 minutes.
Official websitejal.co.jp→From Tokyo, take a JAL or ANA domestic flight to Takamatsu or Okayama, or the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama in about 3 h 15.
Official websitejal.co.jp→Takamatsu port, next to the JR station, has the most sailings: high-speed boat in 35 minutes or ferry in 60 minutes to Tonoshō (Shōdoshima Ferry), and ferries to Ikeda (Kokusai Ryōbi Ferry). From Takamatsu airport, allow 45 minutes by bus to the station.
Official websiteshikokuferry.com→Ferries leave Shin-Okayama port, 30 to 40 minutes by bus from Okayama station, and Himeji for Fukuda (≈ 100 minutes). Handy if you arrive by Shinkansen.
Official websiteryobi-shodoshima.jp→How long does it take to get to Shōdoshima?
Shōdoshima, the "olive island" of the Seto Inland Sea, with the Kankakei gorge and Angel Road, a sandbar that appears at low tide, can only be reached by boat. From London, allow 19 to 24 hours: fly to Tokyo or Osaka-Kansai, then train and ferry, or a domestic flight to Takamatsu. Japan is 9 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 8 hours in summer.
| Leg | Airlines | Time |
|---|---|---|
| London → Tokyo (Haneda), nonstop | British Airways, Japan Airlines, ANA | ≈ 14 h |
| Shinkansen Shin-Osaka → Okayama | JR | ≈ 45 min |
| Shinkansen Tokyo → Okayama | JR | ≈ 3 h 15 |
| Tokyo-Haneda → Takamatsu / Okayama | JAL, ANA | ≈ 1 h 15 |
| Boat Takamatsu → Tonoshō | Shōdoshima Ferry | ≈ 35 min (high-speed)–60 min |
| Ferry Shin-Okayama → Tonoshō | Shōdoshima Ferry, Ryōbi | ≈ 70 min |
| Ferry Kōbe → Sakate | Jumbo Ferry | ≈ 3 h 20 |
Via Takamatsu, Okayama or Kōbe?
Takamatsu has the most departures, around twenty a day to Tonoshō, and combines easily with Naoshima, 30 to 50 minutes away by boat. Okayama is handy if you arrive by Shinkansen, and the Jumbo Ferry from Kōbe suits travellers starting from Osaka or Kōbe. On the island, buses and hire cars let you tour it: see our ferries and our car hire page.
Entry and budget
UK citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days; complete immigration and customs online with Visit Japan Web. The JR Pass covers trains to Takamatsu or Okayama but not the ferries; a one-way crossing from Takamatsu costs ¥700 by ferry and ¥1,400 by high-speed boat, plus a fuel surcharge on some lines.
When to go?
Spring and autumn are ideal; in mid-November, the maples colour the Kankakei gorge, and the olive harvest takes place in autumn. From late summer to early autumn, typhoons regularly disrupt the ferries.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an airport on Shōdoshima?
No. The nearest airports are Takamatsu and Okayama; you finish by boat, in 35 to 70 minutes.
How do I get to Shōdoshima from the UK?
Fly London–Tokyo (or to Osaka with a connection), take a train or domestic flight to Takamatsu or Okayama, then the ferry.
Can I combine Shōdoshima and Naoshima?
Yes, from Takamatsu, where boats leave for both islands.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
No, not for tourist stays under 90 days; a valid passport is enough.