HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Sailing Tour by Catamaran
Take a relaxing cruise on the Seto Inland Sea
Shikoku District Transport Bureau
Board an 8.5-meter-long catamaran for a leisurely cruise among the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, along the Yumeshima-Kaido Road. The calmness and the sensation of drifting on the water when the yacht cuts off its engine, and runs with only the power of the wind in its big sails, make you feel as if you are one with the sea and the sky. It’s also a thrill to glide along the sea in a strong wind.
The cruise is organized by Sam, a boat carpenter from New Zealand, who built the catamaran himself and has lived aboard it with his family. He handmade the boat without any rusty metal fittings or Teflon-coated boat planks, reflecting the wisdom and skill of a ship’s carpenter. Sam’s father, an electrical engineer, worked on the engine and other mechanical parts, while his mother, who works for a sail manufacturing company, did the sails.
The catamaran design is inspired by traditional Polynesian fishing boats. In addition to the stability and openness of the catamaran, it is just the right size for taking you to beautiful private beaches and uninhabited islands that are not accessible by ordinary cruise boats.
How to get there
From Shin-Osaka Station, take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen to Fukuyama Station (about 1 hour). From Fukuyama, take the Citrus Liner express bus bound for Innoshima Habu-ko (about 1 hour 10 minutes). Get off at Habu-ko and take the New Uoshima express ferry to Yuge-ko port (about 10 minutes). The tour company will pick you up at Yuge-ko pier.
2804 Yugesashima, Kamijima-cho, Ochi-gun, Ehime-ken
