The , or simply Setouchi, is a geographic region of Japan. Setouchi includes the Seto Inland Sea and the adjacent coastal areas of Honshà «, Shikoku, and Kyà «shà «, three of the four main islands of Japan.
Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Okayama, Hyà Âgo, Osaka, Kagawa, Ehime, Fukuoka, and à Âita prefectures all have coastlines in Setouchi; the cities of Hiroshima, Iwakuni, Takamatsu, and Matsuyama are also located within the region.
Since the 1980s, the sea's northern and southern shores have been connected by the three routes of the Honshà «âÂÂShikoku Bridge Project, including the Great Seto Bridge, which serves both railroad and automobile traffic.
The Setouchi region is known for its moderate climate, with a stable year-round temperature and relatively low rainfall levels. The sea is also famous for its periodic caused by dense aggregations of certain phytoplankton that result in the deaths of large numbers of fish.