Utazu: Coast, Views and Culture

Utazu brings together the landscapes of the Seto Inland Sea, scenic viewpoints, historic sites and local traditions. If you are planning a hotel stay in Utazu, these different sides of the destination can help you decide what interests you most: coastal scenery, town views, history or a trip to one of the festivals mentioned here.

Coast and Viewpoints

Utazu Seaside Park lies in northern Utazu, bordering the Seto Inland Sea. The park is also home to Shikoku Aquarium. It showcases aquatic environments characteristic of Shikoku: the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean, as well as rivers and lakes. Coastal scenery and regional waters thus provide the setting for an aquarium whose themes cover a range of the island’s habitats.

Two more viewpoints offer views across the surrounding area. The viewing platform on Aonoyama overlooks the Seto Ohashi Bridge, the islands in the Seto Inland Sea and the townscape of Utazu. The mountain also has a grassy area, play equipment and a walking path; families use the facilities for picnics. The platform on Shōtsūji-yama is about 120 meters above sea level and also offers a view of the Seto Ohashi Bridge. It has also been selected as part of Japan’s Night View Heritage. The viewpoints therefore differ in the views and features described for each.

Facilities and Activities

Gold Tower combines a 158-meter-high observation tower with the SORAKIN Sky Aquarium and the weather-independent Play Park. Views, an aquarium and a play area are different features of the same facility. This adds more to explore alongside the outdoor viewpoints, while keeping the different locations distinct.

Historic District and Festivals

Shrines, temples and old Japanese townhouses have been preserved in the historic Komachi district. The layout also shapes the impression of the district: it is compact and flat, and its streets are made of smoked bricks. These features make Komachi a good place for a stroll. Visitors interested in historic buildings and traditional townscapes will find a different focus here than at the coast or viewpoints.

Every March, the “Utazu Machiya and Hina Festival” is held around Komachi and attracts many tourists. At the Ubugai Shrine Autumn Festival, drum floats, lion dancers and portable shrines parade through Utazu. The two festivals offer different seasonal opportunities to experience local customs. Goshoji is another cultural landmark in the area: the temple is the 78th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage of 88 Temples and was founded during the Nara period.

Tradition and Getting Around

Another local tradition is Inhamashiki salt making in Utazu. This traditional method has been handed down for about 300 years. It complements the historic buildings and religious sites with an insight into the area’s craft history.

For rail travel, JR Utazu Station is a useful landmark: when traveling from Okayama to Shikoku via the Seto Ohashi Bridge, it is the first station on the Shikoku side. Within Utazu, the community Minna no Odekake Bus operates throughout the area. Rail travel and the bus thus provide two different reference points for getting around; specific routes or travel times are not provided here.

When choosing a hotel in Utazu, you can plan your trip around the interests that matter most to you: the Seto Inland Sea and its viewpoints, the historic buildings of Komachi or the seasonal festivals. If you are visiting in March, the annual Hina Festival is a specific occasion to consider; the Autumn Festival offers a different glimpse of local tradition.

For the broader travel overview: Ayauta District.