Tonosho Town, Kagawa Prefecture
A Summer Day at Angel Road A sand path emerges from the sea, leading to an island
At low tide, a path of sand emerges from the sea at Angel Road. I came to the beach in July when the path was visible and watched the sand stretch toward the island. Seeing a path appear right in the middle of the sea, with water on both sides, was so strange I stood there unable to move for a while.
I watched the sand path from the beach during July’s low tide. The moment I saw it reaching out toward the island, I stood there with a hand shading my eyes, completely transfixed.
SummerLow tide on a bright July day
A sand path in the middle of the sea
I came to the beach at Angel Road in July, right at low tide. The sea filled my view, yet a sand path led through the middle of it all the way to an island. I’d seen this shape in photos, but seeing it there in front of me made me stop in my tracks. There was no bridge over the water; the sand itself stretched all the way to the island.
I held a hand to my forehead and watched the path taper off in the distance. My sunglasses were perched on top of my head, but I only thought of them after I’d raised my hand. The farther I looked toward the island, the more clearly I could see the water on both sides of the sand path. Tilting my head a little, I followed its shape with my eyes, wondering how far it reached.
I’ve heard the path appears and disappears with the tides. I can’t expect to find it looking like this every time I come. Then it hit me how glad I was that I’d timed my visit for low tide. My gaze moved from the sand at my feet to the sea in the distance, and I wanted to hold on to this moment a little longer.
They say that crossing hand in hand with someone you care about makes your wish come true. When I’d only heard the name, I’d imagined a cute little spot, but seeing a path appear across the water made it easy to understand how a story like that began. Just being able to come here today felt like a wish coming true.
On Bentenjima, just before you cross, there’s Yakusoku no Oka Observatory. From the beach, my eyes keep following the sand path, and I wonder what the water on both sides and the path look like from up there. I want to remember the curve I see from here so I can compare the views. I came for one view, and now there’s another I want to see.
I lowered my hand and looked at the sand path from the beach once more. At first I was caught up in how strange it was; now I’m simply glad I came when I did. Today, while touring the island, I’d like to try something tasty, too. If I head up toward the mountains, Kankakei’s burger sounds tempting. The more I explore Shodoshima, the more I want to see—from the sea all the way to the mountains.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Something to try on the trip
Kankakei’s Olive Beef Croquette Burger
If I head up into the mountains on Shodoshima, I’m curious to try Kankakei’s Olive Beef croquette burger, too. The croquette is made with Olive Beef from Kagawa Prefecture, and the burger comes in a thick bun with vegetables. After taking in the sea, I’d love to enjoy a meal at the summit, too.
Highlights
A sand path revealed by the tides
Angel Road appears and disappears with the tides. With the sea on either side, I followed the sand path with my eyes, wanting to take in its shape before I even thought about looking at a map.
A place where wishes are said to come true
They say a wish comes true if you cross the sand path holding hands with someone you care about. After seeing the path emerge from the sea, I found myself thinking about that story, too.
The route
Drive to Angel Road
To Angel Road in Kō, Tonosho Town. Once you’ve parked, take a look at the sand path from the beach at low tide.
After seeing the island path from the beach, I wanted to look down at it from the observatory on Bentenjima as well. It’s fun to see the same place from a different vantage point.
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