Manabeshima Island

Located about 30 km off the south of Kasaoka city in Okayama Prefecture, Manabeshima Island is one of many typically sleepy islands in Seto Inland Sea. It is also known as one of the cat islands of Seto Inland Sea due to the number of cat inhabitants vs. people.

This was one of the most non-adventurous island trips we’ve done in Japan (no packrafting/kayaking to deserted islands, no spearfishing, no stream-trekking, not even hiking) however it became one of the most memorable trips thanks to the illustration book by Florent Chavouet about this small island, which humorously depicts stories about many local islanders.⁣
It was as if visiting a real life movie set where you find all the characters roaming around. Everyone was there *except* the main character, Flo!⁣

A stay at Santora is a must. Accessible only on foot over the mountain or by boat via its pontoon “pier,” it offers spacious rooms with shared bathrooms, along with generous, delicious course meals made from local ingredients and fresh seafood.
Like many accommodations across the Seto Inland Sea islands, it also has an outdoor seawater tank where fish are kept alive until they are prepared (not as pets 😄).

The main village is filled with maze-like paths winding around charming wooden houses, surrounding the fishing port, which is the main industry of these sleepy islands. Cats roam the village freely.