We went to Angel Road on Shodoshima, a sandbar path that only appears from the sea at low tide. It is said that if you cross it holding hands with someone dear to you, your wish will come true.
Just a little too late
Whether you can cross depends on the tide — in other words, on whether you can get there at the right time.
We were just a little too late. By the time we reached the beach, the path to the island was already under the sea.
There were plenty of couples and groups of women travellers on the beach, and all of them looked disappointed.
If the timing works out some day, it would be good to come back.
Check the tide table before you go
So that you do not make the same mistake, here is what to check beforehand.
- The sand path appears at low tide, twice a day
- Shodoshima Ferry’s official website has an Angel Road tide table showing the times you can cross each day. For example, on 19 September 2026 the window was 6:59–12:59, and there was no second window that day
- Weather and tidal conditions can mean the times do not match the table exactly
- Getting around the island takes time. Fix your Angel Road time first, then plan the rest of the day around it
Tide information was checked against the tide table on the Shodoshima Ferry official website in September 2026. Always check the latest table for the day you visit.
📖 A companion guide from Private Wisdom
Going beyond the usual route? Off the Beaten Path in Japan — the islands, small towns and quiet corners most visitors never reach, and how to get to them, from a long-time local. Free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
▶ Read on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)
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