From the port of Miyanoshita in the city of Mitoyo in Kagawa prefecture, in about 20 minutes by ferry, we arrive at the very small island of 4km in circumference. It is the Shishijima island. In the past, the fishing and the floriculture were important. However, when the period of high economic growth came, the activities of this islands went down, and today, there are only 20 persons living on this island. Contrary to the other islands of Seto inland sea, there is not art works to see in the island. However, the number of visitors are increasing. Why?
 

The main reason is crowdfunding. To revive the island, that was threatened with rural depopulation, a local association decided to start a crowdfunding  that would make possible to build guesthouses. It became a great success and it is now possible to spend some time on the island. 

The island's symbol is the Cypress tree as there is one on the island that is believed to be around 1200 years old. This tree, designated as natural monument of the Kagawa prefecture possesses a trunk which looks stretching all the directions give us the sacred atmosphere. It is only 30 minutes from the village, so how about go hiking to see this beautiful tree?