Ehime Trip Tips

History

Ehime Prefecture has many places to prioritize for sightseeing, including famous castles, hot springs, and shrines, all of which boast a deep history.
For example, the places to be most proud of include “Dogo Onsen”, whose history is said to date back about 3,000 years and has carved its mark on Ehime history, and “Matsuyama Castle” and “Uwajima Castle”, whose keep has existed since the Edo period, and many of the oldest facilities and valuable cultural heritage are quite concentrated in Ehime Prefecture.
In addition to Dogo Hot Springs, where Prince Shotoku and Soseki Natsume have bathing histories, you can hear the exploits of Takatora Todo, a master castle builder, from the various castles.

Culture

Ehime is generally known for its mild-mannered people, but it is also a lively place for festivals such as fight festivals and for watching sports games.
For example, at the Matsuyama Autumn Festival held every October, the “Hachiawase,” in which portable shrines and portable shrines collide, and at the Hojo Autumn Festival, the “Mikoshi Otoshi,” in which portable shrines are rolled down stone steps from a shrine, are very popular as the flower of the festival, respectively.
Not to mention the simultaneous school and company vacations, even those who have moved their residences to other prefectures are sometimes required to return home for the festival, demonstrating the incredible unity of the people each time.

Dogo Onsen

Among the historic Dogo Hot Springs, the Dogo Onsen Honkan stands out for its dignified appearance. The building was constructed in 1894 and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
It is also known as the setting of Soseki Natsume’s novel “Bo-chan” and is one of the recommended spots that should not be missed during your trip to Ehime.
There are four different courses for bathing, and you can also choose a course that includes yukata rental and tea sweets. Open every morning from 6:00 a.m., it is recommended to go there to enjoy a relaxing morning bath.
The spring is an alkaline simple hot spring, suitable for therapeutic bathing and skin beautification.

Matsuyama Castle

It is one of only 12 castles in Japan with a castle tower built before the Edo period. Construction of the castle began in 1602 and took about a quarter of a century to complete. Located in the center of the city, the top floor of the castle tower overlooks the Matsuyama Plain and the Seto Inland Sea. From Ninomaru to Honmaru, there is a “climbing stone wall,” a defensive technique used in the Japanese castles of Korea, and the southern part of the wall remains in almost perfect condition. The entire Shiroyama Park, including Horinouchi, is a national historic site, and 21 buildings are designated as important cultural properties. It is also famous as a night view spot overlooking the city and as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

Shimanami Sea Route

The Seto Inland Sea, with its calm waves throughout the year, is also known as the Aegean Sea of Japan for its beautiful scenery.
The Nishi-Seto Expressway connecting Ehime and Hiroshima over the Seto Inland Sea is the Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido.
It is approximately 60 km long, with dedicated roads for bicycles and pedestrians, making it a great place to enjoy cycling.
Bicycle rentals are free and easy to rent.

Kurushima Strait Bridge

The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge is the largest triple suspension bridge on the Shimanami Kaido, and was put into service on May 1, 1999.
A road for pedestrians, bicycles, and mopeds is provided beside the road for cars only. It relays between Takeshima and Ma-jima and provides access from Imabari City to Oshima.
Since the bridge was built with consideration for the natural landscape, you can fully enjoy the scenery of the Kurushima Straits from the bridge. For an up-close view of the bridge sitting majestically, go to Horse Island via a self-guided path. If you are lucky, you can also enjoy the bridge illuminated.

Dolphin Farm Shimanami

At Dolphin Farm Shimanami, visitors can enjoy three programs: seeing, touching, and swimming.
If you just want to watch the dolphins, the admission fee is a reasonable 500 yen. The petting course, where you can actually touch the dolphins, costs 5,000 yen for 30 minutes. The swim course, where you can swim with the dolphins, costs 9,000 yen for 60 minutes.
The petting course includes not only petting but also feeding, shaking hands, and kissing the dolphins.

Mt. Ishizuchi

Ishizuchi is the highest mountain in western Japan. It is one of the seven sacred mountains of Japan and is a power spot where the mountain itself has been worshipped as a god since ancient times.
Rare plants, including endangered species, grow wild, and the beautiful natural scenery of the four seasons will soothe your body and soul.
Some of the trails are steep and rocky, but there are also trails that even children can climb.

Shikoku Karst

Shikoku Karst, one of the three major karsts in Japan, is a 25-km karst plateau straddling Ehime and Kochi prefectures. The 25-km-long Prefectural Road 383, also known as “Sky Road,” which runs east to west, has been selected as one of the 100 most famous roads in Japan for its tranquil and spectacular scenery, where many cows graze during the season. The green prairies and limestone terrain are mysterious, and the road is a popular driving route. At accommodation facilities in Ehime, soft ice cream made from homemade milk produced in Shikoku Karst is also popular. When staying in Shikoku Karst, you can also see countless shooting stars by stargazing.

Shimonada Station

Shimonada Station in Ehime Prefecture is known as “the station you want to get off at least once” where the Seto Inland Sea spreads out before you as you get off the station.
Trains run about once an hour, but if you drive, you can visit at any time that suits your schedule.
The sight of the station building standing alone against the sea is very photogenic.
The recommended time is in the evening. Futami Town, where Shimonada Station is located, is known as “the town where the setting sun stops” and if you are lucky, you can see the sunset on the horizon.

Matsuyama tai meshi

One of the most classic and popular sea bream dishes is tai meshi.
There are two types of Tai-meshi in Ehime: “Matsuyama Tai-meshi”, which is traditional in the Chuyo to Toyo regions centered on Matsuyama City, and “Uwajima Tai-meshi” in the Nanyo region centered on Uwajima City.
Matsuyama tai-meshi has a long history and is said to have been made around the time of Empress Jingu’s campaign in Korea.
The common way to make this dish is to spread kombu on top of rice, place grilled sea bream on top, and cook it in an earthenware pot. Fried tofu and carrots are used as garnish.

Uwajima tai meshi

In Nanyo, tai meshi is a style of eating raw sea bream fillets marinated in sauce and served on a bed of hot rice.
This unique way of eating fresh sea bream sashimi, mixed with sauce made from dashi (Japanese soup stock), soy sauce, and sake, and egg yolk, and served on hot rice, is said to be unique to Uwajima.
I actually went there and tried it, but as a sashimi lover, I preferred the Uwajima tai meshi. I really recommend it.

Local Cuisine Goshiki

Matsuyama’s specialty five-color somen noodles are all colored with natural ingredients: white is still wheat flour, red is plum paste, yellow is egg yolk, green is matcha green tea, and brown is buckwheat flour.
Morikawa, the manufacturer of Goshiki Somen, is a long-established company founded in 1635, and Goshiki is directly managed by Morikawa.
As the original celebratory dish, tai somen is made with a large sea bream and serves about 10 people, but here, natural small sea bream is used to provide tai somen for one person.

Jako-ten

Jako-ten, a local delicacy of the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture, is a paste product made from fresh small fish caught in the Uwakai Sea, ground into a paste with the skin still on and deep-fried in oil.
Generally, halibut, holly, mitsu, himechi, zengo horse mackerel, and hairtail are used, which are not suitable for kamaboko.
Ehime Prefecture’s two largest producers of jakoten are Uwajima City and Yawatahama City.
Uwajima City in particular has a strong emphasis on jakoten, a kind of soul food, and has even created a jakoten theme song and held the Uwajima Jako-ten Carnival.

Imabari Yakitori

Along with Muroran City in Hokkaido and Higashimatsuyama City in Saitama Prefecture, Imabari City is considered one of the three best yakitori cities in Japan.
With more than 70 yakitori restaurants offering yakitori in Imabari City, one can imagine that Imabari citizens’ love of yakitori is considerable.
The first major characteristic of Imabari Yakitori is that it is not skewered.
This method of baking was invented about 50 years ago to suit the impatient disposition of many merchants, who do not like to wait and want their food served quickly.
The chicken is placed on a hot griddle and held in place with a large iron iron iron to cook it with a sizzling sound and aromatic aroma.

Nabeyaki Udon

Udon is udon in Matsuyama City, and nabeyaki udon is the most popular type of udon.
Soft udon noodles with no firmness, the opposite of Kagawa Prefecture’s Sanuki udon, are served in a retro aluminum pot.
Nabeyaki udon has an image of being a winter food, but in Matsuyama, it is eaten year-round, and even izakaya (Japanese style pubs) offer it as a closing menu item.
The slightly sweet broth, soft udon noodles, fish cakes, fried eggs, sweet and spicy beef, green onions, and other ingredients give the dish a nostalgic and comforting flavor that leaves a lasting impression.

Shikoku Karst Cycling Experience

Rent an e-bike and enjoy Godan Kogen and Tengu Kogen with a close-up view of windmills and cute cows!
E-bikes can be rented at the Shikoku Karst Rental Bike Station (next to Himetsurusou).

Shikoku Karst: Tenkū Cycling  

Shimanami Kaido Cycling

Many cycling trails surrounded by beautiful nature are popular among nature lovers.

Walking Around Town in Kimono

Uchiko is a town with a rich historical atmosphere. In this program, you can rent a kimono at a 140-year-old old house located in the townscape. Walking around in a cute kimono will make you feel like you are on a trip!

Omogo-kei Canyoning

Activities to experience the magnificent nature of Omogo-kei Creek, such as sliding down strange rocks and jumping into clear water.
This is an easy course for beginners.

Omogo-kei gorge Canyoning  

Spring

When spring is in the air, the whole country of Japan is in a state of colorful anticipation for the blooming of cherry blossoms. In addition, parks, shrines, and temples in various regions are crowded with people enjoying cherry blossom viewing when the magnificent cherry trees are in full bloom. There are many famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Ehime, and the blooming season is in early April.

Matsuyama Castle

About 200 cherry trees are planted in the precincts of Matsuyama Castle, which is an important historical site. Every year in early April, the “Matsuyama Spring Festival (Castle Festival)” is held here, and people gather to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

Dogo Park

Located near Dogo Hot Springs, the park is filled with cherry trees. Why not relax and enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms in the lush greenery of Dogo Park? Admission is free.

Matsuyama General Park

Matsuyama General Park, a short walk from Matsuyama Station, is another spot where visitors can easily enjoy cherry blossom viewing for free. It has a spacious lawn area perfect for picnics and an observation tower that offers a panoramic view of the city.

Summer

Ehime’s mild summers allow visitors to fully enjoy the outdoors. There are also a variety of activities for the adventurous.

Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido

Shimanami Kaido is a scenic cycling road connecting Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, and Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is connected to numerous small islands, allowing visitors to enjoy cycling while enjoying a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea. You can also go there by chartered cab sightseeing tours.

Meet Dolphins on Hakata Island

Dolphin Farm Shimanami, located along the Shimanami Kaido, is a facility that utilizes the beach on Hakata Island, where you can swim with friendly dolphins. It is sure to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Meet the Cats in Aoshima

Also known as “Cat Island,” Aoshima is famous for having far more cats than islanders. The island is reached by a 35-minute ferry ride from Nagahama Port. The cats living on the island are accustomed to visitors and are very friendly and heal the islanders every day they visit.

Autumn

If spring is for cherry blossoms, autumn is for colored leaves. Of course, you can enjoy the magnificent autumn leaves in Ehime as well. Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Park, and Matsuyama General Park are popular places for viewing the autumn leaves, and Nishiyama Koryuji Temple is also very famous for its fiery red maple trees and colorful yellow ginkgo trees. The best time to see the autumn leaves in the southern part of the prefecture is in mid-November.

Autumn Foliage Viewing at Besshi Line Gorge

The Besshi-Line Gorge is one of the best places in Japan to view the brilliant autumn leaves spreading all over the area. The sight of colorful leaves in yellow, orange, red, purple, green, and other colors staining the canyon for 10 km is spectacular. First, enjoy the autumn leaves at the vermillion-colored Shouji Bridge at the entrance to the gorge, and then continue along the scenic road to encounter spectacular scenery. Further along the Besshi Line valley, you will find “Minetopia Besshi,” a mining tourism theme park on the site of the last mining headquarters of the Besshi Copper Mine. Located within the Industrial Heritage in the Sky, Myntopia Besshi is once again attracting attention due to the recent industrial heritage boom. Why not take a ride on the mine sightseeing train and explore the former mining town while admiring the autumn leaves that color the surroundings? It is an unusual spot, but recommended for families as it is enjoyable for both adults and children.

Winter

Ehime in winter is chilly, but that makes it the perfect time to enjoy hot springs and hiking. Here are two spots that you should definitely visit on your winter trip to Ehime.

Relax in Japan’s oldest hot spring, Dogo Onsen

Dogo Onsen is a hot spring resort located on the outskirts of Matsuyama. With its meticulously designed baths and relaxing atmosphere, visitors can enjoy Japan’s oldest hot spring to their heart’s content. According to legend, Dogo Onsen has a history of 3,000 years. The current main building was constructed in 1894. It is a 3-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Station. It was depicted as the setting for Soseki Natsume’s novel “Botchan” and was also the model for the bathhouse in the movie “Spirited Away” by Studio Tokibi.

Admire the icefall at Shiraito Falls

If you want to enjoy a day trip from Matsuyama in winter, why not go see the frozen Shiraito Falls, or ice fall, in the neighboring city of Toonshi? It is a bit of a hike up the mountain, but well worth it. The entrance to the trail is a 20-minute drive from Matsuyama City. You can also take a cab from Yokogawara Station. The trail leads to the mountainside and is surrounded by tall trees on both sides. When you reach the top, you will see a sparkling wall of ice and snow transformed by the waterfall.

Shikoku pilgrimage

The Shikoku pilgrimage is a journey to 88 temples (88 sacred sites in Shikoku) associated with Kukai (774-835), the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. The total length of the tour is approximately 1,400 km, and it takes more than 40 days on foot. There are eight temples in Matsuyama City, which are visited by local residents and many people from all over Japan. Pilgrims are affectionately called “ohenro-san” (pilgrims), the course is called “henro-do” (pilgrimage route), hospitality for the pilgrims is called “ojakatae” (hospitality), and temples are called “fudasho” (fuda-sho).

Botchan Train

Based on his own experiences, the great writer Soseki Natsume depicted a junior high school in Matsuyama in his novel “Botchan. The steam locomotive that appears in the novel actually ran in the city for 67 years from 1888, and was called “Botchan Train” because of the influence of the novel. The train currently running in the city was restored with a diesel locomotive in 2001, and its retro atmosphere is popular among tourists. The crew’s uniforms are also restored from the old days.

Tour of haiku monuments, Matsuyama Haiku Post

Matsuyama City, where haiku is flourishing, has installed haiku post boxes at major tourist facilities, hotels, and inns in the city, where anyone can freely submit haiku. Currently, there are more than 80 haiku post boxes in the city and 10 outside the prefecture, as well as in Brussels (Belgium), where the EU headquarters is located, Freiburg (Germany), Matsuyama’s sister city, and Taipei (Taiwan), a friendship city. Haiku post boxes in Matsuyama City are opened once every three months, and the winning haiku are selected and presented with a commemorative gift. Haiku monu are located throughout the city, and many people enjoy visiting these monuments.

Airplane

Domestic flights to Matsuyama Airport are available from Japan’s major airports such as Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Itami, Kansai, and Fukuoka Airports, providing access to Matsuyama City. LCCs are also available from Narita Airport.

Matsuyama Airport  

Railway

If you are going from Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Okayama Station, which takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes. From Okayama Station, it takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to Matsuyama Station by limited express Shiokaze.

Ferry

You can take the Orange Ferry from Osaka Nanko to Toyo Port. The trip takes about 9 hours by boat. This is recommended for those who have time to spare, as taking the ferry is an elegant way to experience an elegant trip.

Orange Ferry