Awashima
It has an area of 3.68 square kilometers and a circumference of 16 km. You can see a small Awashima island in a day. However, you may think that the speed of time has changed since you landed at the port of the island. The calm sea breeze without waves and the small sounds of life on the island give you a mysterious view that seems to be separated from your daily life.
Mt. Shirono
Altitude 222m. This mountain, which is the highest in Awashima, has a wonderful view on all sides, and it seems that it was the best place to watch the sailing ships. According to the literature, Yakura Danjo, a warlord of Nobukage Kagawa, who once ruled the Seisan area, protected the castle as a castle owner, but during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. , Toyotomi Hideyoshi's conquest of Shikoku caused the invasion of Mr. Chosokabe, and the castle was burned down. Today, a two-tiered flat land remains at the top of Mt. Shiro, and you can see the remnants of that time.
Marine school
Awashima, which was under the rule of the Marugame Domain, has been active in the shipping industry since the Edo period, such as trading with Hokkaido on the Kitamaebune. It continued to be active until the early Meiji era, but in the latter half of the Meiji era, a village seafarer repair vocational school was established in 1897 in response to the transition from Japanese ships to steamships. It was the first local seafarer training school. After that, it moved from county to prefectural and became a national commercial shipping school in 1940. It is known all over the country for its Spartan education, and it seems that graduates were drawn to it because of its excellence. The school was closed in 1987, and now it can be remembered as the Awashima Marine Memorial Park.
Awashima seamen's school
Awashima under the Marugame domain, flourished with the shipping trade such as Kitamaebune trading with Hokkaido since Edo period until the beginning of Meiji period.
As Japanese-style wooden vessel oblique to steamship towards the end of Meiji period, the municipality has established the seamen's supplementary training school in 1897, which was the first local seamen's school in Japan. The institute was known for its Spartan education and its graduates were popular in their excellence and were very much in demand. The school was closed in 1987 and now in the marine memorial park, you can find traces of the past.
Awashima Shrine
At Awashima Shrine, the Momote Festival is held on the first Sunday of March every year as one of the events to announce the arrival of spring.
At this festival, an archer shoots a bow at a target about 30 meters away and prays for a good harvest and family safety. It is said that its history is more than 200 years, and it is designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Kagawa Prefecture. It has been.
Even now, archers are still pulling bows every day, drinking tea and liquor in this place, and the chirping of birds and the sound of hitting the target echo.
Awashima shrine
On the first sunday of March every year, Momote festival which announces spring, is held in this shrine. In this festival, archers shooting thirty meters distant targets with arrows. Through this ritual people pray for abundant catch and harvest and the well-being of One's family. This more than two hundred years old festival is designated as prefectural intangible cultural assets. Until today, archers gather to practice shooting arrows everyday, while drinking tea or sake together. The sound of shooting bows and twittering of birds are echoing around the shrine.
Nishihama
The sandy beach facing the west is always empty. You can relax and see the small islands and the boats passing by over the rugged sea that is unique to Setouchi. Its quiet appearance seems to forget the time and think beyond the sea. At sunset time, you can see the scenery of Setouchi dyed in the setting sun.
Nishihana (literally west beach)
You hardly see people on this beach. This is why you can view an open calm Setouchi sea with small islands or traveling ships in the distance, in a relaxed manner. This peaceful scenery is timeless and looks as if the sea is in a thought far into the distance.
Setouchi view with sunset hue is also remarkable.
Awashima Artist Village
Awashima Artist Village, which started in 2010, has invited young artists of contemporary art from home and abroad to present their works that were born during their stay on the island. The Setouchi Triennale was held in 2013, and the exchange between the artists who were active in Awashima and the islanders is still ongoing.
Since 2014, the city has been conducting the artist village business independently, and the atelier has been opened under the name of Hibino Emi School with Mr. Katsuhiko Hibino as the general director. At the 2016 Island's second art festival, artists related to the island and overseas artists will develop their works in various places within the party.
