Updated at 2023-05-22
Setouchi-cho is located in the southwest corner of Japan, where there are many islands. The region has been a hub for shipping for thousands of years. Setouchi-cho is home to some of the world's most beautiful seascapes. Widely considered Japan's first national park, it is the largest national park in Japan to date. However, the gradual outflow of people in recent years has negatively impacted the vitality of the region. Japan's largest artfest, the Setouchi Triennale, was created to revitalize the area. The festival traverses three seasons, from spring to fall, and spans dozens of islands. Each island has unique characteristics and charm, and visitors must form an "island-hopping plan" to enjoy all the festival has to offer. At the end of each festival, artworks are preserved as long as possible and become part of the island scenery.
Alliance Date: July 18, 2016
Language: Japanese
Area: 1,876.72 square kilometers
Population: Approx. 919,000 people
Main Industries/Features: Tourism, industry, commerce, agriculture and fisheries