Seto Inland Sea

A sea in western Japan, enclosed by Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu and connected to the Pacific through several straits. Its island-dotted channels have long linked major Japanese ports and communities.

Honshu: The largest island of Japan, stretching from the Sea of Japan to the Pacific. Its southern coast forms the sea’s northern boundary.
Port of Kobe: A major Japanese seaport on Osaka Bay, at the eastern end of the Seto Inland Sea. It anchors international shipping at the sea’s eastern gateway.
Naoshima: An island in the Seto Inland Sea known for contemporary art museums and installations. It shows how island communities have built cultural tourism around the sea.
Chūgoku region: The region of western Honshu facing the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan. Its southern coast developed around access to the sea’s sheltered routes.
Red tide: A harmful or conspicuous discoloration of water caused by dense populations of microscopic organisms. Nutrient pollution has contributed to recurring red tides in the sea.
Shikoku: The smallest of Japan’s four main islands, south of Honshu. Its northern shore bounds the sea’s southern side.
Port of Hiroshima: A Japanese port serving Hiroshima and the western Seto Inland Sea. Its routes connect the regional city with island and coastal ports.
Miyajima: The common name for Itsukushima, an island in Hiroshima Bay known for Itsukushima Shrine. Its shoreline shrine is one of the sea’s best-known cultural landmarks.
Shikoku region: The Japanese island region comprising Shikoku and its surrounding islands. The sea has long connected its northern coast to Honshu’s markets and ports.
Eutrophication: The enrichment of water with nutrients, often causing excessive algal growth and oxygen depletion. It has affected water quality and fisheries in enclosed bays and channels.

Linked from 20 pages