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When the tide goes out, a “sand path” appears across the sea and you can walk over to the island—this is Angel Road. If you’re coming all this way, time your visit to that special window so you can enjoy it comfortably.
This guide explains what to do on site, the best viewpoints, how to plan your visit around walkable times, and how to get there—clear and simple for first-time visitors.
Angel Road is a sandbar that appears at low tide in Tonosho, Shodoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture. When the tide recedes, the mainland connects to the offshore islets and you can walk across. It’s famous for beautiful sunsets and is a beloved spot for family trips, couples, and women’s getaways.
The magic of Angel Road is getting to walk the “sand path” that appears over the sea. The easiest time to walk is about 2–3 hours before and after low tide; around the peak of low tide the path becomes wider and feels more secure. That said, width varies slightly with wind, waves, and air pressure, so don’t push it. As the tide turns toward high tide, the path narrows—aim to cross with time to spare, ideally before the tide starts rising again.
Because it’s a sandy path, your feet may sink a little. The sand is often wet, so choose flat, non-slip footwear like sneakers. If you’re with small children, hold hands and avoid tide pools for a safe walk.
There’s a local saying: if you cross Angel Road hand in hand with someone important, your wish will come true. Walk with family, friends, or a partner to make the memory even more special. Keep safety in mind, take your time, and enjoy the “path across the sea.”
At the far end of Angel Road you’ll reach Nakanoshima. Trees here are adorned with ema plaques and seashells bearing written wishes—the swaying scene is wonderfully photogenic. If you’ve wondered what awaits after crossing, this is your answer.
There are three types of ema. The heart-shaped ema is sold at Shodoshima International Hotel, while the scallop shell ema and Angel Wings ema are available at the Shodoshima Tonosho Tourist Association (Tourist Information Center). Both facilities are near their entrances, so it’s convenient to buy ema before you cross.
| Type of ema | Price | Where to buy | Business hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart - shaped ema | ¥500 | Shodoshima International Hotel (1st - floor shop) | 7:00 am - 11:00 am 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
| Shell ema | ¥730 | Shodoshima Tonosho Tourist Association (Tourist Information) | 9:00 am - 4:30 pm |
| Angel Wings ema | ¥650 |
From Nakanoshima you get a full view of the sand path you crossed and the calm Seto Inland Sea. If the tide is turning toward high tide, the path can narrow while you admire the scenery, so always keep your return in mind. Follow local signs and on-site guidance for where to hang ema and how to spend time on the island.
Climb the stairs near the Angel Road entrance to reach “Promised Hill Lookout,” where you can see the entire curve of the sand path and the chain of islets at a glance.
This viewpoint sweeps from the linked islets to the calm horizon of the Seto Inland Sea. The view is excellent at both low and high tide.
Sunset here is particularly special. The sea and sky blend in soft gradations, revealing another side of Angel Road.
There’s also a bell you can ring to pledge your love—another popular spot for couples.
After walking Angel Road, take a breather near the entrance. Close to the Tourist Information is the “Angel Post” and an “Angel’s Rest” bench—easy stops for great photos. Because you don’t need to watch the tide for these, they’re perfect after you finish the sandbar walk.
Right nearby, the shop "urara days!" sells photogenic treats like the “Lover’s Soft-Serve Ice Cream.” Keep the walking mood going with a small snack. During busy times, take turns and keep photos quick and courteous. Restrooms are available.
Angel Road appears during low tide. As a rule of thumb, it’s walkable for about 2–3 hours before and after low tide, meaning roughly 4–6 hours in total around each low tide.
You can check the predicted time for the day on the official Tonosho Town website. Once your travel date is set, start here.
The annual tide charts issued by the Tonosho Town Commerce & Tourism Division are also handy. They list a full year of data—great for planning.
Pro tip: aim to arrive 30–60 minutes before the low-tide peak to secure enough time for a round trip. If you’re chasing sunset, pick a day when sunset and low tide are close—Angel Road shows a different, beautiful face then.
Taking the low-tide peak as the center, Angel Road appears for 4–6 hours per low tide. When is the most enjoyable window?
Official guidance recommends the times when the path is beginning to appear or about to disappear.
At the beginning of low tide and as the tide turns back to high, the path is narrower than at the peak. Compared with the maximum low tide, this slimmer path heightens the “road emerging on the sea” effect, which many find more scenic.
If you prioritize ease of walking, go for the low-tide maximum; if you prioritize atmosphere, target the time windows before or after. To avoid any risk of being cut off by the rising tide, arriving about 60 minutes before the low-tide time lets you enjoy a good-looking Angel Road without worrying about the return.
How wide the path opens also depends on season and weather—discover it when you arrive.
From Tonosho Port, Angel Road is 10–20 minutes by bus or about 10 minutes by car.
The Olive Bus runs to and from Tonosho Port and is easy to use. The nearest stop is “Kokusai Hotel (Angel Road-mae).” From there it’s a short walk to the entrance.
Choose a bus that gets you there 30–60 minutes before the low-tide peak to keep things relaxed on site.
| Route | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Kita-Meguri Fukuda Line (Inbound) | 8分 |
| Tanoura Eiga-mura Line (to Tanoura Eiga-mura) | 10分 |
| Nishiura Line (East loop) | 13分 |
| Nishiura Line (West loop) | 20分 |
Here are the routes to return to the port. Last bus times vary by season and weekday/holiday, so it’s smart to check them on your way in.
| Route | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Kita-Meguri Fukuda Line (Outbound) | 8分 |
| Tanoura Eiga-mura Line (to Tonosho Port) | 10分 |
| Nishiura Line (West loop) | 13分 |
| Nishiura Line (East loop) | 20分 |
Information as of August 2025. For the latest details, see the official Shodoshima Olive Bus website.
There are two parking areas: Parking Lot 1 and Parking Lot 2.
| Parking | Location & capacity | Hours & fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Lot 1 | Just before the Angel Road entrance (27 standard cars • 2 accessible spaces • 4 large buses) | Standard cars: 300 yen within 30 min, then 100 yen per additional 30 min Large vehicles: 2,000 yen within 60 min, then 1,000 yen per additional 30 min (6:00 pm - 8:00 am free) | Closest to the entrance and convenient; tends to be crowded around low tide |
| Parking Lot 2 • west side of Shimamura • west side of 7 - Eleven | About a 7–8 minute walk from the entrance • Shimamura west side: 18 spaces • 7 - Eleven west side: 32 spaces | Free | Use this if Lot 1 is full; both are within walking distance |
Parking Lot 1 is paid and located right by the Angel Road entrance.
Parking Lot 2 is about a 7–8 minute walk and is free. We walked it ourselves—it’s a straight shot along the main road and doesn’t feel far at all. Handy stores like a drugstore, 100-yen shop, and convenience store are nearby.
Check the tide table for low tide, arrive a little early, and stroll the sand path that appears across the water. Tie your wish with an ema on Nakanoshima, take in the full view from Promised Hill Lookout, and relax. On your way back, snap a photo at the Angel Post or treat yourself at the shop.
Because the tide moves gently, as long as you give yourself enough time, you can enjoy the visit without rushing.
May your time on Shodoshima become a refreshingly good memory.
Have a great trip to Angel Road.
If you want to get an even better feel for Angel Road’s atmosphere, check this out:
