Shōdo Island

Japan’s First Woman Soy Sauce Sommelier Is Helping Save Tradition on Shodoshima - AFAR

"This chicken-foot–shaped island in the Seto Inland Sea, whose name means “Island of Small Beans,” is a sleepy yet serene destination famed for a stretch of soft white sandbar that links the main island to three tiny islets and for olive groves fanning the south coast — it was the first area in Japan to grow olives and is sister to Milos, Greece. Historically a major center of soy sauce production, the island once hosted hundreds of breweries and still contains more than 1,000 traditional wooden fermentation vats (kioke), making it a rare stronghold of honjozo, small-batch soy sauce brewing; local artisans often age moromi far longer than industrial producers, and visitors can take behind-the-scenes brewery tours and tastings to experience distinct regional flavors and traditional techniques." - Katherine LaGrave

Uncover the hidden gems of Setouchi, Japan - SilverKris

"An island known for its olive groves and seasonal natural wonders, including a cream-coloured sandbar that appears only twice a day and a majestic gorge that becomes especially striking in autumn." - Mimi Tiu

5 art-driven islands near Hiroshima worth exploring - SilverKris

"A large, Mediterranean-climate island known for pale beaches, forested hills and terraced rice fields, with a long history of salt production that has shifted to artisanal soy sauce and internationally awarded olive oils; visitors can explore groves, a 1,000-year-old olive tree and sculptural tributes to the island’s olive industry." - Kit Nagamura

"On Shodo island, the host visits with food writer Nancy Singleton Hachisu and learns the art of miso from a woman named Kazumi, who is declared to be a “miso master.” Near the end of the episode, Nosrat, Hachisu, and Yuri prepare a meal in Hachisu’s home. They make boiled eggs seasoned with miso, tai meshi, a soup comprised of the Japanese tai fish, dashi, and rice."