Ehime
Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県 Ehime-ken) is on the Japanese island of Shikoku.
Understand
The prefecture includes both high mountains in the inland region and a long coastline, with many islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The westernmost arm of Ehime, the Sadamisaki Peninsula, is the narrowest peninsula in Japan. 7 percent of the total land area of the prefecture is designated as Natural Parks.
The oldest extant hot spring in Japan, Dōgo Onsen, is located in Matsuyama. It has been used for over two thousand years.
Ehime was known as Iyo (伊予) until 1868.
Tourist information
- Ehime Prefectural Information Center (EPIC) (愛媛県国際交流センター), 1-1 Dogo Ichiman (Iyotetsu tram or bus to Minamimachi/Kenminbunka Kaikan Mae), ☏ +81 89-917-5678. M-Sa 08:30-17:00. Internet access, study rooms, and bike rentals. It's behind the Ehime Prefectural Cultural Hall.
- Visit Ehime is the prefecture's official multilingual guide site.
Cities
Map of Ehime
- 1 Matsuyama - the prefectural capital, with Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest and most famous hot springs
- 2 Imabari - maritime city, 3rd largest ship building company in the world (no 1 in Japan), with over than 200 hundred ship owners.
- 3 Uwajima - home to bull sumo and sex shrines
- 4 Saijo - gateway to Mount Ishizuchi
- 5 Shikokuchuo
- 6 Niihama - known as many industrial factories are located.
- 7 Ozu
- 8 Ikata - beautiful mountains and ocean scenery along Japan's narrowest peninsula
- 9 Uchiko
Other destinations
Get in
By plane
By train
By bus
Take a bus from Matsuyama
By bicycle
The 1 Shimanami Kaido Bikeway is a 70 km (43 mi) path on dedicated cycle lanes, connecting Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture with Imabari in Ehime.
Get around
See
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- Marvel at the jutting rocks of the Shikoku Karst (Kumakogen)
- Visit 2 of the nation's 12 original castles, Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama and Uwajima Castle in Uwajima
- Walk the nostalgic streets in Uchiko's Historic District (Uchiko)
- Explore the ruins of the Besshi Copper Mines and learn about the mines in Minetopia (Niihama)
- Learn about the nationally famous Imabari Towels at the Towel Museum of Art (Imabari)
- Stroll Nanrakuen Garden, a modern garden and the largest in Shikoku (Uwajima)
- Relax at the Garyu Sanso, a former villa and garden overlooking the Hijikawa River (Ozu)
Do
Buy
- Bamboo Craft is a specialty of Ehime, renowned for its durability and beauty.
Eat
Drink
- Pon Juice. A famous 100% fresh orange juice.