This island is located in the middle of the Shimanami Kaido. As it is very sunny there, a lot of citrus fruits are being grown on the island, especially lemons as the island has the biggest production of it in Japan. Therefore, you can find a lot of fruit stores in Ikuchijima, which makes this stop the perfect time to enjoy eating some.

 

As Ikuchijima is made as an "Art Island", you can admire a wide variety of works there. You can visit the Ikuo Hirayama Museum of Art which holds a wide collection of the Japanese artist's works which art is related to Setouchi's culture, as he said himself : "I come from Setouchi's climate".

Close to the museum, you can also visit the Kosanji temple, from the Buddhist school of Jodo Shinshu meaning "The True Essence of the Pure Land Teaching". This temple was established between the Meiji and the Showa era by a businessman from Osaka called Koso, as an hommage to his mother. In the temple, you can admire relics and vestiges of the Heian period. But before looking at the antiques, you can make a prayer dedicated to all the mothers.
 


A huge white marble installation appears right behind the Kosanji temple. This marble garden, called The Heights of Eternal Hope for the Future, was conceived by the sculptor Kazuto Kuetani, from Hiroshima. If you have a walk in this white marble garden, which stones come from Italy, you will feel as if you were walking in a different country.



You can also admire beautiful beaches and the Tatara bridge connecting the islands, which beauty and greatness are likely to get you overwhelmed. Though it is quite difficult to go around the Ikuchijima by bike, if you use the Shimanami Kaido, as soft sea breeze will be there to help you.