Shōdoshima, Kagawa

Shōdoshima
小豆島町
Town
Clockwise from top: Bay looking south from Olive Park, soy sauce warehouse, Kankakei Gorge
Location of Shōdoshima in Kagawa Prefecture
Shōdoshima
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°29′N 134°14′E / 34.483°N 134.233°E / 34.483; 134.233
CountryJapan
RegionShikoku
PrefectureKagawa Prefecture
DistrictShōzu
Government
  MayorMasahiko Oe
Area
  Total
95.59 km2 (36.91 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
13,646
  Density140/km2 (370/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address2100-4 Ikeda, Shōdoshima-chō, Shōzu-gun, Kagawa-ken
761-4388
ClimateCfa
Websitewww.town.shodoshima.lg.jp
Symbols
FlowerOlive
MascotOlive Shimachan
TreeOlive

Shōdoshima (小豆島町, Shōdoshima-chō) is a town in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, with a population of 13,646. The town was established in 2006 and covers various ports and communities on the eastern half of Shōdoshima, the second-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Shōdoshima is roughly halfway between the much larger islands of Shikoku to the south and Honshu to the north, and has a mild and relatively dry climate.

Soy sauce production, which flourished through the early 20th century, remains a major industry. Other industries include sōmen noodles, tsukudani (made with soy sauce), fishing and agriculture. In Japan, olives were first successfully cultivated here in the 1910s and olive oil production resurged in the late 20th century.

Tourism is also economically important. Shodoshima participates in the Setouchi Triennale, a regional art festival, and the mountainous interior is home to Kankakei Gorge. The book and film Twenty-Four Eyes was set on the island, and a movie studio park and museum attracts visitors.