The island is famous as the setting for the novel Twenty-Four Eyes and its subsequent film adaptations.

In addition to natural features such as the Dobuchi Strait, the Angel Road, Shōdoshima Olive Park and the Kanka Gorge, Shōdoshima is famous as the setting for the antiwar novel Twenty-Four Eyes, written by the native author Sakae Tsuboi and later turned twice into a film (1954 and 1987), as well as a television special.

All three were prominent participants in the proletarian literary movement, an important and politically radical current within modern Japanese literature.

Olive trees proliferate on the island and olive-related merchandise is quite popular with tourists.

The island is the setting for the manga and anime series Teasing Master Takagi-san.