One of my most favorite places in the Setonaikai. I have been there 3-4 times, just now 2 weeks ago. I would recommend this place to everyone. The small restaurants are nice, food is delicious.And the views are spectacular.

All the buildings in Mitarai - a former busy Edo-era harbor town - have been preserved and listed as a Japanese heritage site. The locals are very friendly and just by walking its streets, you can feel the history of the place. The island setting is also really unique. There are lovely golden sandy beaches nearby (quite rare - as most beaches in Japan have volcanic grey sand...) and the mountains are covered in orange and lemon trees. During the mikan orange season, there are small stalls in the street selling freshly picked mikan oranges for about a third of the price they would cost anywhere else. 200 yen for a bag...! The taste of the oranges is also out of this world. The sea, the beaches and the climate, it feels like a Mediterranean island with very old traditional Japanese houses...!