Shodoshima driving guide: ferries, Kankakei and Olive Park

Shodoshima spans Tonosho and Shodoshima towns in Kagawa Prefecture. Angel Road and olive groves line the south coast, while inland roads climb towards terraced rice fields and Kankakei Gorge. If you are bringing a car by ferry, choose your arrival and departure ports and sailings before planning the drive.

Map of the Shodoshima area

The map numbers match the places listed below. The line shows the suggested route, and the markers show scenic stops and roadside stations. Markers indicate the places themselves; follow local signs for parking entrances.

Recommended drives

A first day from Angel Road to Kankakei and Olive Park

Follow Angel Road (1) → Dofuchi Strait (2) → Hoshoin Temple (3) → Nakayama terraced rice fields (4) → Shihouzashi Observatory (5) → Kankakei summit (6) → Olive Park (11) → Olive Beach (7) → Shodoshima Furusato Village (12). The route is about 45.3km, with approximately 59 minutes of driving. Distances and times are calculated from map data and exclude traffic.

This excludes the ferry crossing, walks, ropeway rides and the return drive to your port. Skip some coastal stops if you want more time in the rice fields or at the summit. If low tide at Angel Road falls in the afternoon, you can visit the mountains first.

Plan Angel Road around the tide

The sandbar appears at low tide. Check the tide table for your visit and allow time to walk. Stay off the islands' private land and keep your walk to the sandbar.

Car Park 1 charges between 08:00 and 18:00. For ordinary cars no more than 5.5m long and 2m wide, the first 30 minutes cost ¥300, followed by ¥100 for each additional 30 minutes. Parking is free from 18:00 to 08:00 the next morning. Car Park 2 is free, with 18 spaces west of Shimamura and 32 west of 7-Eleven.

Drive up to the Kankakei summit

The summit station has free parking for about 200 cars. You can also take a return ropeway ride starting at the summit. Return trips are not available on the final departure, so plan your descent with the last uphill service in mind.

Adult return fares, for junior high school students and older passengers, are ¥2,340 from 21 March to 31 October and 1–10 December, ¥2,700 in November, and ¥2,160 from 11 December to 20 March. If you plan to ride the ropeway as well as enjoy the views, allow time for queues in addition to the drive.

Roads you can drive

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers correspond to the map.

The path to Kasaneiwa has narrow, slippery sections. Wear trainers or walking shoes, and do not cross the fence beside the cliff. The car park is small, so share cars where possible if your group is travelling in several vehicles.

Roadside stations

The food counter at Furusato Village closes on Wednesdays and Thursdays from December to February, except during the New Year holiday period. The shop and café at Osaka Castle Stone Memorial Park have irregular closing days. Round-the-clock parking does not mean food or shops are available at all hours.

Best seasons and crowds

As a nearby reference, sunset in Takamatsu on 31 October 2026 is at 17:12. If you stop at Sunset Hill, leave time to drive back to your port after watching the sunset.

Where to allow for queues

On the Takamatsu–Tonosho ferry, vehicles with advance reservations have priority. Spaces are also available on the day, but you cannot board if the ferry is full. Foot passengers and motorcycles cannot be reserved and board in arrival order. Check which sailings accept vehicle reservations and which do not.

Kankakei Ropeway boards passengers in arrival order. For an autumn foliage visit, avoid a packed itinerary after coming down the mountain and decide when you need to leave to catch your return ferry.

Closures and restrictions as of 27 October

Before setting out, use the links near the top of this page to check road restrictions, Kankakei operations and the weather. Strong winds and other weather conditions can suspend the ropeway, and maintenance or equipment work can also close it.

For 27 October 2026, or 28 October in case of rain, the ropeway's final departure is scheduled for 16:30 because of a rescue drill. Return trips are not available on the final departure. Also check your ferry route's operating status and timetable before leaving.

Getting there and fuel

Crossing times exclude waiting at the port and loading or unloading vehicles. On weekdays, the 15:10 departure from Takamatsu and the 19:30 departure from Tonosho carry designated hazardous-goods vehicles and are not open to general passengers. Designated sailings can also fall during holidays lasting 3 days or more, so check carefully when choosing a departure.

ENEOS Sunrise Tonosho SS in Kamisho, Tonosho, opens 07:00–18:30 Monday–Friday and public holidays. It closes on Saturdays, Sundays and 1–4 January. Check the operating day as well as the hours if you plan to refuel just before returning to the port.

If you don't have a car

Before arranging a rental, read the guides to driving in Japan and international driving permits and airport car rental pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a car on the ferry?

Car ferries run on the Takamatsu–Tonosho, Takamatsu–Ikeda, Shin-Okayama–Tonosho and Himeji–Fukuda routes. Choose your route and sailing, then check fares for your vehicle length and the reservation conditions.

Can I walk Angel Road at any time?

The sandbar appears at low tide. Plan around the tide table for your visit, and do not enter the islands' private land.

Can I drive up to Kankakei?

You can drive to the summit station, where free parking accommodates about 200 cars. If you ride the ropeway, remember that a return trip is not available on the final departure.

Can I visit every stop in one day?

Start by choosing stops along the route linking Tonosho, Kankakei and the south coast. In addition to about 45.3km and 59 minutes of driving, you need time for walks and ferry travel. Reduce other stops if you want to add Kasaneiwa on the west side or the roadside station on the north coast.

Can I use the roadside stations at night?

Parking at all 3 stations is available 24 hours. Shops, food counters and the museum have opening hours and closing days, so do not depend on them for food or shopping at night.

Nearby areas and guides

For places to drive on the mainland, see the Kagawa driving guide. Use your departure port and sailing time to decide whether to spend more time walking on the island or continue driving after the ferry crossing.