---
title: Tora-san and this island
url: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/notes/tora-san-and-this-island/
lang: en
journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/setouchi-1/
---

# Tora-san and this island

A little of each town’s story　/　Mitoyo, Kagawa

The 46th film in the Tora-san series, released in December 1993, directed by Yoji Yamada, with Keiko Matsuzaka as the leading lady. Yoko, who ran a restaurant in Kobe, has fallen ill and is recuperating on Kotojima, where her father lives. Tora-san comes to the island to bring back his runaway nephew Mitsuo, and grows close to Yoko. The fictional Kotojima was filmed on Shishijima and nearby Takamijima.

## This moment in the journey: A rest stop on the island Tora-san visited

Near the port, an old merchant's house now serves as the island's rest stop. Notes on the window read "Rest here" and "Cold drinks available." Inside, a framed old group photograph leaned against a folded futon. This island was a location for the 46th Tora-san film, Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Torajiro no Endan, and Tora-san himself once came here.

In the film, Tora-san leaves his bag on a bench. "There are no thieves on this island," the policeman tells him.

On the table were snacks and cup noodles, a sign saying "any item 100 yen" and a box for the money. On the shelf, bottles of Oronamin C, canned coffee and green tea. I dropped my coins into the payment jar and took a bottle. A red Yomeishu curtain, an electric fan, and film stills on the display shelf. I'd be walking the mountain trails, so a little energy drink first.

![Film stills on the display shelf](https://karigurashijourney.com/img/setouchi-1/s59-1200.jpg)
- Sources: https://www.cinemaclassics.jp/tora-san/movie/46/
- Sources: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BF%97%E3%80%85%E5%B3%B6

Read this scene in the full journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/setouchi-1/