In the west of the Kagawa prefecture, there is an archipelago called Shiwaku, composed by 28 small and big islands. The island of Honjima is located in the center of this region. During the Sengoku's wartime, the island hosted the headquarters of the pirates called "Shiwaku Suigun". During the Edo period, they were engaged by the Shogun and became official sailors. In the end of the Tokugawa period "Bakumatsu", most of them became members of the Kanrin Maru ship which meant that they were trusted highly by the Shogun.

Even today, we can feel the historical past in Honjima. There is still an old building of Shiwaku government, built in a traditional style, and at the heart of the island, there is a conservation zone which keeps the ancient scenery, especially in Sasajima district. There, we see the proof that those sailors had great carpentery skills not only in shipbuilding but also when it came to building houses.

From the sea, we can see the Great Seto Bridge. If you go to Iruka Mura, you will have the chance to see dolphins. Therefore, the island can also be fun for children!

The island has been chosen for the internatinal contemporary art festival of Setouchi.

We can see the artwork of Ishii Akira titled "Vertrek", and "Kanrin House" by Rikuji Makabe which depicts the corvette Kanrin Maru. Many artworks on the island are related to the ancient corvette. The arhitectural art and the technique of plasterers' works are represented in many artworks.