Dog-Friendly Day Trip to Shodoshima Olive Park: Scenic Views, Olive Groves, and the Best Drink I’ve Had All Year
First Stop After the Ferry
June 6th, sunny skies. The kind of warm, breezy day you don’t expect during Japan’s rainy season. My wife, our French Bulldog Elmo, and I had just stepped off the ferry onto Shodoshima — a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, about an hour from the port city of Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture.
Elmo was a mess on the ferry. Trembling the entire ride, wouldn’t settle down even when I held him. The noise, the rocking — something about it really got to him. But the second we walked off that ramp and out into the open air? His whole face changed. Ears up, nose going, tail starting to move. I knew right away he was going to be fine.
And the first place we took him on his Shodoshima debut was Shodoshima Olive Park — just a short drive from the ferry terminal.
What Is Shodoshima Olive Park?
Shodoshima Olive Park sits on a hillside overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, and it’s one of the largest olive gardens in Japan. The island itself has a long history with olive cultivation, and this park is kind of the heart of that. Around 2,000 olive trees spread across the grounds, and there’s a white Greek-style windmill that’s become the park’s iconic landmark — it genuinely looks like a corner of the Mediterranean.
It’s also a Michi-no-Eki, which is a roadside rest stop — a Japanese concept that combines a highway rest area with local shops, restaurants, and regional products. This one has a solid lineup of olive oil, olive-based cosmetics, sweets, and souvenirs, plus a restaurant using local ingredients. It’s a convenient base for exploring the island, and it holds a 4.2 rating on Google Maps from nearly 6,000 reviews.
One more thing worth knowing: the park was used as a filming location for the live-action adaptation of Kiki’s Delivery Service — the beloved Studio Ghibli story. That Greek windmill is front and center in those scenes. I found this out after we left, which I’ll get to later.
Access & Basic Info
| Address | 1941-1 Nishimura Ko, Shodoshima-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0879-82-2200 |
| Hours | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (open year-round) |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Website | olive-pk.jp |
What It Was Actually Like: Exploring the Park with Elmo
We Got Lost and Stumbled onto the Best View
Right after we arrived, we weren’t totally sure where to start. The park is bigger than it looks from the entrance. We followed the slope upward, half reading the signs, half just wandering — and somehow ended up at the highest parking area on the property.
Honestly? Best accident of the day.
From up there, you’re looking out over a sea of olive green, and beyond that, the Seto Inland Sea stretching wide and blue. It stopped me in my tracks. The contrast between the olive groves below and that calm, open water in the distance — on a clear June morning — was genuinely stunning. We just stood there for a while, not saying much.
Elmo Goes Full Island Dog Mode
We made our way back down to the main garden area, and my wife made a beeline for the souvenir shop — her strategy was to scout things out early so she wouldn’t have to rush at the end. Smart. Meanwhile, Elmo and I took a slow lap through the olive grove.
This was a completely different dog from the one shaking on the ferry. He was sniffing every root, pulling toward every patch of grass, totally in his element. There weren’t many other visitors around, so I switched to a long lead and let him roam a bit. He did these little bursts of running that he only does when he’s really happy.
He drank a big gulp of water and looked up at me with that satisfied expression. I took that as a yes — Shodoshima approved.
The Drink That Made Me Want to Come Back Just for Itself
My wife found me after her shop recon and mentioned there was a restaurant with a drinks counter on the ground floor. We headed over, and that’s when I spotted it on the menu: Homemade Cordial, Black Peppermint.
I’d been thirsty since the ferry. Didn’t take long to decide.
One sip and I was sold. It’s refreshing in a way that’s hard to describe — peppermint-forward, but with actual depth to it. Not too sweet. Clean but satisfying. I didn’t just think “I want this again.” I thought “I’d come back to this island specifically for this drink.” That’s how good it was.
What Worked, What I’d Do Differently
The Good Stuff
The location right near the ferry terminal makes it a perfect first stop — no need to figure out where to go when you’re still getting your bearings on the island. The grounds are open and easy to walk with a dog, and since it wasn’t crowded, Elmo could actually stretch out on the long lead without me worrying about bumping into people. The view from the upper area is something I’d go back for on its own. And yes, the cordial drink absolutely earns a mention in the highlights.
What I’d Do Differently
We visited in June, so the olives weren’t ripe yet — the trees were full of leaves but no fruit. Coming in autumn when the olives are actually on the branches would be a totally different experience, and I kind of want to see that. The bigger regret, though, is the windmill. That white Greek windmill is the park’s most famous landmark, and it was used in the live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service film — I just didn’t realize it until after we’d already left. I walked right past it without stopping for a proper photo. Next time, that’s the first thing on the list.
Worth It as Your First Stop on Shodoshima
If you’re bringing your dog to Shodoshima, Shodoshima Olive Park is a great place to start. The open space is easy on dogs who need to shake off some travel energy, the scenery delivers right away, and there’s enough to browse and taste that you won’t be rushing through it.
And if you see the Black Peppermint Cordial on the menu — just get it. You won’t regret it.
Official website → Shodoshima Olive Park Official Site