Ehime Prefecture sits on the northern coast of the island of Shikoku, facing Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, and the southern island of Kyushu. Noted for its pristine nature and scenery, Ehime has anything and everything that you could want for a getaway. From the historic capital city of Matsuyama to part of the legendary leg of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, let’s check out Ehime Prefecture!
Matsuyama City
Matsuyama City is the capital of Ehime Prefecture, and a perfect place to start your adventure throughout Shikoku. Accessible by plane or train in only a couple of hours, it is perfect to put into a Japan trip. You can shinkansen all the way to Okayama City, still on Honshu but just north of Shikoku, and then take limited express trains across the Seto Inland Sea through Shikoku to Matsuyama. With a population just over 500,000, once you step foot in the city, be prepared to embark on a wonderful cultural journey.
You can start your adventure by visiting Matsuyama Castle, one of the 12 castles with original keeps still standing in Japan. As the castle is on the top of Mt. Katsuyama, the view of the Seto Inland Sea will be stunning, the islands of the sea dotting the horizon. The castle dates back to the 17th century, and is filled with historical artefacts and ways to learn about the storied history of the buildings. Surrounding parks such as Shiroyama Park also offer great views of the scenery. After exploring Matsuyama Castle, you can head over to the even older Dogo Onsen, which partially inspired the bathhouse that is featured in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. With many different baths available for the public to use, this is a perfect option to use as a relaxing getaway or spot to unwind after a long day.
The onsen was mentioned in writings as far back as the Asuka Period (530 - 710), making it one of the oldest hot springs in all of Japan. There are even specific rooms in the bathhouse that are reserved for only the Imperial Family. While you may not be able to bathe in them, you can take a tour!
Shimanami Kaido
The Shimanami Kaido, or Nishiseto Expressway, is one of the most beautiful routes in Japan, connecting the mainland of Honshu to Ehime, making a path through the island filled Seto Inland Sea. Spanning 70 kilometres, it makes a wonderful multiple day trip, taking your time to explore some of the islands that the road traverses. The route starts in Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, and ends in Ehime’s Imabari City. If you are after delicious food or stunning nature, there is no better place to explore. Bicycles can be rented and returned on both sides of the route, giving you the freedom to choose your starting and endpoint. There are museums on painters, pirates, and various temples dotted all around the landscapes, and once you arrive at either Onomichi or Imabari, there are even more things to explore!
The Shikoku Pilgrimage
The Shikoku Pilgrimage is one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in Japan. Comprising 88 different temples across all 4 prefectures, and spanning nearly 1200 kilometres, many people embark on this journey, either walking like traditional pilgrims many years in the past or taking public transportation or driving. The pilgrimage originated as a way to pay respect to the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi, by visiting the places that he trained during his life. 25 of the 88 temples are located in Ehime Prefecture, from the southernmost Kanjizaiji Temple to Sankakuji Temple, near the borders of Kagawa and Tokushima Prefectures. One interesting temple is Ishiteji, located in Matsuyama City. This temple has a plethora of statues all around the grounds, including giant sandals perched at the entrance gate. The temple also has access to another inner area, reached by following a 200 metre path through a cave. Within the cave, there are also multiple statues that represent each temple along the pilgrimage route.
Shikoku Karst
The Shikoku Karst is a unique geologic area of the island that covers both parts of Ehime and Kochi Prefectures. The rock formations here are created by the dissolution of soluble rocks, or in essence, certain rock types dissolving, leaving fields of beautiful rocks intermingled with other fauna. The Shikoku Karst can be seen by different scenic driving routes in the area, or explored by the many hiking trails that take you through the lush forests and grasslands. Open throughout the year, save for parts of winter, there is no wrong time to go. For anyone keen on camping, there are campsites that can be used, during the summertime months don’t forget to look up, as light pollution is quite low due to the remoteness of the area.
Cape Sada
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the westernmost point of one of Japan’s four main islands, then Cape Sada is your chance. Defining the westernmost point of Shikoku and looking out towards Kyushu’s Oita Prefecture, the Sadamisaki Peninsula is the longest in Japan. As it looks out west, coming out for sunset is a great idea to see the sky set alight. With campgrounds in the area, it is more than worth it to spend a night in such a unique location. For keen travellers, you can also take a ferry from Misaki Port to Kyushu to continue your adventure.
Cherry blossoms are dotted alongside the road, making springtime a perfect time to visit, however summer green and blue skies are features of the summertime beauty. There is also what is called the ‘Melody Line’, a road on the peninsula that will play music when you drive over it! While the area might be relatively remote, the experience you get from visiting will last a lifetime.
Niihama Taiko Festival
Every autumn, in the town of Niihama, to the west of Matsuyama, the Niihama Taiko Festival is held. Similar to other festivals that are held in Japan, it is characterised by large floats that are paraded throughout the city. During the parade, each float has wheels that help attendants move them around the roads. However, one specific feature of the festival is called ‘kakikurabe’, where the wheels come off! People all attempt to raise their heavy floats in the air, to show off their strength in comparison to other floats. The festival dates back nearly 1000 years ago, where people would conduct the festival for an abundant harvest. Each float is intricately decorated, with designs of dragons, buildings, and silver and gold as far as the eye can see.
Yuge Shrine
Just outside of the historic streets of Uchiko, southwest of Matsuyama, is Yuge Shrine. Nestled in the deep green of the forests, the shrine is accessed by crossing a covered bridge over a small pond called the ‘taiko-bashi’. The shrine is located deep in the hills of the Uchiko area, offering peaceful solitude to those who make the trek out. The shrine was built in the 14th century, with many people venturing to it hoping for bountiful harvests.
The tall trees surrounding the torii gate and modest main hall make for a perfect chance for a short rest after a long day of exploration. There is much more to find in the Uchiko area, with historic streets and a famed kabuki theatre, this area is full of wonders in a prefecture of wonders.
Have an Ehime Mikan
We can’t leave Ehime Prefecture without sampling one of their most famous products. The ‘mikan’ or Japanese mandarin, is similar to an orange, a tasty snack anytime of the day. Throughout the prefecture you can find spots to enjoy the famous mikan. You can visit a factory such as the Mican Park Baishinji, where there is a factory that processes the citrus into things such as jellies and juices. With an onsite cafe, there is no better place to enjoy the freshest fruit. There is not just one citrus that Ehime Prefecture produces, multiple varieties are cultivated, from the Setoka to the Iyokan. They all vary in their juiciness, acidity, and other factors, but deliciousness is a constant. If you are keen for a hands-on experience, there are multiple farms in the prefecture that will let you hand pick mikan, making it all the more rewarding for when you get to dig into their juicy deliciousness.
Ehime has everything and more than anyone could want from a trip to Japan. From beautiful scenery and nature, delicious food, to unique cultural experiences, Ehime Prefecture is worth more than a short trip, an entire Japan trip could be modelled around it. So what are you waiting for?
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