A ropeway with a wonderful view of the sky, sea and valley
Counted as one of Japan’s three major valleys of beauty, Kankakei is a representative place of scenic beauty on Shodoshima Island located within Setonaikai National Park. The rock made from a volcanic eruption some 13 million years ago carved out this valley over a period of 2 million years. The ropeway from where you can see up close strangely-shaped rocks created from erosion of wind and rain and soaring rock walls is popular for being able to have a singular view in Japan of “Sky, Sea and Valley” all at once. From the 40-person capacity gondola, you can enjoy a 5-minute one-way ride with a fantastic view. You can see the beauty of all 4 seasons with the mountain cherry blossoms of spring, the greenery of early summer, the beautiful autumn colors with a carpet of red, and the snowscapes of winter. The ropeway operates every 12 minutes per hour from Kouun Station at the foot of the mountain.
A great view from the observation point and local dishes
There are 2 places at the observation point adjoining the mountaintop station, and on good days, you can see right below you Uchinomi Bay, the Seto Inland Sea, and the scene of the mountains of Shikoku off in the distance. Throwing earthenware for good luck is also popular. At the restaurant at the highest point on Shodoshima Island, you can dine on dishes such as curry and olive ramen using specialty olives from the island. There is also a souvenir shop where you can purchase items limited to Kankakei and famous Shodoshima goods, and also a store where you can come across dishes such as croquettes and hamburgers using the famous Kagawa Prefecture brand of Olive beef and even soft-serve ice cream using the olives.
A popular and easy-to-enjoy hiking course
Besides the ropeway, there are also 3 hiking courses which take about an hour one-way to traverse, including the popular Kankakei Omote Mountain Trail, a gentle path taking you through 12 different sceneries. From this mountain trail, unique rock formations created over the centuries and wild plants can be seen up close. Going up the ropeway and then coming down the mountain by the hiking course is also recommended.