The history of maritime trade in Japan
and the Japanese people's relationship with the sea

The Seto Inland Sea, located in the center of western Japan, has been a busy sea since ancient times, but the areas that flourished have changed over time, and even today there are historical districts scattered throughout the area that retain traces of both the early modern and modern eras. Furthermore, sailors on the Seto Inland Sea devoutly worship at shrines such as Sumiyoshi Taisha and Konpiragu, which were built near the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, to pray for safe voyages, giving us a glimpse into the connection with the sea that is unique to Japan, an island nation. The port towns and shrines around the Seto Inland Sea allow us to learn about the changes in maritime transportation and the beliefs that are closely related to it.