Spots in Ehime Area

  • Dogo Onsen Honkan
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    4.0
    937 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Dougoyunomachi 5-6
    This is a public bathhouse of the historical Dogo Onsen. The three-tiered wooden building has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It sprung to fame after it was mentioned in Natsume Soseki’s novel, Botchan. The dark interior with its pillars, beams and wooden lockers oozes with antiquated charm. The Honkan has two indoor baths, the Kami no Yu and the Tama no Yu, where visitors can relax and enjoy a pleasant soak. At extra charge guests can use the resting room complete with a hired yukata and some tea and cake. The nearest station is Dogo Onsen Station.

    Not something for me personally, but my wife assures me there is something special about the water here. She took a bath, reasonably price and time limited (so I didnt have to wait around until she...

  • Botchan Train
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    4.0
    795 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Matsuyama-shi Ehime Prefecture
    Based on the steam locomotive that ran for 67 years since the opening of Iyotetsu Railway, this diesel engine train was restored in October of 2001. It is often called the “Botchan train”, as one of the characters in Natsume Soseki’s famous novel “Botchan” rode the old steam locomotives. You can board at the following stops: Dogo Onsen, Okaido, Matsuyama City Station, JR Matsuyama Station, Komachi Station.

    Harder to miss than to see and outside the station. Everyone seems to love it. A cool little number.

  • Imabari Castle
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    4.0
    333 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Torichou 3-1-3 Imabari castle management office
    Imabari Castle was built in 1602 by Takatora Todo, a military commander who did well in the famous Battle of Sekigahara and consequently controlled a large territory in the province of Iyo. The castle sitting on the coast is unique in Japan with its seawater moat and entrance for ships. Most of the buildings were destroyed after the Meiji Restoration with only the inner moat and the stone wall of the castle remaining, but the castle tower and the iron gates were reconstructed after 1980 restoring the castle to its former glory. Inside the castle itself visitors will find many important artifacts on display including armor worn by the feudal lords and pictures and writings, etc.

    Superbly restored. Great views from the tower. Alas, very little English. Nice gardens and surrounds

  • Ishite-ji Temple
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    4.0
    291 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Ishite 2-9-21
    Located in the Ishite district of Matsuyama City, the Ishite-ji Temple is a Buzan sect Shingon Buddhist temple. The temple’s formal name is Kumano-san Kokuzo-in; it is the 51st temple visited on the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The Ishite-ji Temple is famous for its association with Emon Saburo, a renowned early pilgrim who according to legend was reborn so that he could help restore the temple. The temple was first built in 728 by Ochino Tamazumi, the lord of Iyo Province. Initially, it was a Hosso school Buddhist temple, named the Anyo-ji Temple. However, following a visit by the monk Kukai in 813, it was transformed into a Shingon Buddhist temple. Besides the Niomon gate (a designated National Treasure), the Ishite-ji Temple also has several Important Cultural Properties, including the Hon-do (main hall) and a three-storey pagoda.

    I came in from the east side and came across lots of stone statues. It’s a bit of a mess in that end with cardboard boxes and everything looking a bit ill-kept. Lots of caves and strong smell of...

  • Oyamazumi Shrine
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    4.5
    254 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Omishimachoumiyaura 3327
    Oyamazumi Shrine is the head shrine overseeing the nationwide Yamazumi Shrine and Mishima Shrine dedicated to the god, Oyamatsumi. The shrine is located in Mishima Town, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. Since ancient times the shrine has been used as a place of worship for the gods of the mountains, sea and war. It has been visited by naval commanders, Japan’s first Prime Minister, Hirobumi Ito, Isoroku Yamamoto of the former Imperial Navy, as well as leaders from the Maritime Self Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard. As well as the sacred camphor tree said to be 2,600 years old in the grounds of the shrine, visitors can also see a group of ancient trees, the oldest in Japan and designated as a National Natural Treasure. The main shrine building, worship hall and Hokyoin pagoda have been designated as national important cultural properties. There are also many important cultural properties including some national treasures stored and on display in the treasure hall.

    I was struck with awe to find such a solemn shrine on a small island in the middle of the Seto Inland Sea. It has 3 museums and 2 of them have kept a lot of historical materials including swords and...

  • Kirosan Observation Park
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    4.5
    226 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Yoshiumichouminamiura 487-4
    A scenic observation park situated on top of Mt. Kiro in Yoshiumi Town, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. The park is one of the best view spots on the Shimanami Kaido Expressway, and offers a sweeping view of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, the world’s first three tower suspension bridge; the Kurushima Strait, one of Japan’s three most majestic rapid tides; and the city of Imabari. Another highlight of the park is that visitors can enjoy excitingly different scenery depending on the time of day—in addition to the invigorating scenery during daylight hours, there’s also the beauty of the sun setting into the sea as well as the impressive sight of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge lit up at night. The road leading to the park is steep and full of curves, so particular care needs to be taken by visitors seeking to reach it by bicycle.

    If you are biking, be prepared for a lung-busting climb but its worth it! The views of the Kursushima Straits and the bridge are incredible.

  • Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum
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    3.5
    348 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Ichibanchou 3-20
    “Saka no Ue no Kumo” (Clouds above the Hill) is a novel by Ryotaro Shiba, depicting the modernization of Japan through the life stories of brothers Yoshifuru and Saneyuki Akiyama, and poet Masaoka Shiki. Many materials related to the novel as well as the three main characters are exhibited in the museum. The four-story building with a basement was designed by Tadao Ando, and is made as a space expressing “clouds above the hill”.

    The story behind the museum lends itself to understanding a little in forming of modern Japan and specifically around 3 individuals enlighten approaches at that time. The museum is housed within a...

  • The Towel Museum
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    3.5
    250 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Asakurakami
    This is a specialist towel museum located in Japan’s leading towel production area, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. Housed within a building reminiscent of a European castle there is also a 33,000 square meter European style garden with flowers blooming throughout the year. Inside the museum visitors will find a whole range of items on display made out of towel and cloth by the writer, painter and product designer Atsuko Matano. Visitors can also take a look around the place where towels are made and have their own unique embroidery stitched into a towel they’ve purchased. There is also a shop which sells Shikoku souvenirs with a focus on towel products.

    I thoroughly enjoyed this place - it was very interesting and had a great stock of towels. I wished that I had of purchased some to bring back home.

  • Isaniwa Shrine
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    4.0
    259 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Sakuradanichou 173
    The Isaniwa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Matsuyama City. The exact date of the shrine’s founding is unclear, but the fact that it is included in the Engishiki Jinmyocho (a list of Shinto shrines compiled in the mid-Heian era) indicates that it is a very ancient shrine that has been in existence for at least 1,000 years. The shrine buildings that the visitor sees today are the result of rebuilding in 1667 on the orders of Matsudaira Sadanaga, the local daimyo. According to tradition, the rebuilding was undertaken in gratitude for the granting of a wish that Matsudaira might hit the target consistently during a yabusame horseback archery contest in Edo Castle. The new shrine buildings were modeled on those of the Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine in Kyoto.

    A second cousin to the more popular shine it is worth walking up the long set of stairs to see the city below. This is an active shrine and you can expect to see worshipers here. Take a few...

  • Bansuisou
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    4.0
    269 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Ichibanchou 3-3-7
    Bansuisou located in the southern foothills of Shiroyama around Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture is an European-style residence with an authentic French design built in 1922 as a second house for Sadakoto Hisamatsu Earl, a descendant of a former landlord in Matsuyama Province. The marvelous building employed a design of the French renaissance style with a Mansard roof and a continuous arching balcony, and was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2011. It was used as a gorgeous socializing place where celebrities from every walk of life gathered and royal family members who visited the prefecture stopped over. At present, it holds events and exhibitions as Ehime Prefectural Art Museum Annex.

    The villa is a very handsome building, located just below Matsuyama castle and very close to one of the main streets through town. English signage is minimal inside, but entrance is only ¥300 and the...

  • Dogo Park
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    4.0
    269 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Matsuyama-shi Dogo Park
    This park in Dogokoen, Matsuyama City was developed around the Yuzuki Castle Ruins, a national historic site. The park, which is surrounded by the castle’s outer moat, retains archeological features such as earthwork fortifications and allotment of land. It also features recreations of samurai houses and a history museum that exhibits artifacts unearthed during archeological surveys, among other items. Many people also visit the park in the spring to see its famous cherry blossoms.

    It is close to Dogo station, just a short walking distance. It is not a big park but a nice park to walk around and take some pictures.

  • Ozu Castle
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    4.0
    125 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Ozushi Ozu 903
    This is a castle which is said to have been constructed at the end of the Kamakura period by Utsunomiya Toyofusa who entered the domain as a protector. Thereafter, the castle was restored by the castle fortification expert, Todo Takatora, and the castle town was prosperous as the center of politics and economy of the Iyo Ozu feudal clan. Due to deterioration, the castle keep was demolished in 1888, but thereafter it was restored in 2004. It is a wooden keep reconstruction which was faithfully reproduced based on historical facts. Four turrets such as the kitchen turret and the southern corner turret have been designated as an Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

    At last, a castle in the middle of town. Not mountain climbing, just a gentle stroll. Inside is just average, but its a pleasant enough place to stop off for a coffee.

  • Tobe Zoological Park of Ehime Prefecture
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    4.5
    116 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Pref. Iyoguntobechou Kamiharamachi 240
    This prefectural zoo, located within the Ehime Prefectural Sports Complex in Tobe Town, Iyo County, Ehime Prefecture, has the largest site area of any zoo in Western Japan. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views without the hindrance of cages and fences due to the use of natural features around the site. Visitors can see about 180 species and 1,000 animals in the zoo including Peace, the first successfully hand-reared polar bear in Japan, African elephants, and some clever chimpanzees. The zoo also holds events throughout the year including the Night Zoo, where visitors can observe the animals at night.

    I visited this small/medium sized zoo with a friend. It was off season on a weekday. So we almost had the zoo for ourselves. There is a good variety of animals from all around the world. The zoo is...

  • Michinoeki tatarashimanamikouen
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    4.0
    133 Reviews
    Transportation
    Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Kamiurachouinokuchi 9180-2
    Located just off the Omishima Interchange, this roadside station offers camping and hot spring facilities, a restaurant featuring fresh sea and mountain foods, and a local products center. A must-visit when touring Omishima.

    Since I spent a full week in the area I visited the michi-no-eki on a daily basis. It is a very friendly place and it is very easy to meet other travelers. The wi-fi is a bit iffy but a good fall...

  • Dogo Onsen Tsubaki-no-Yu
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    4.0
    164 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Ehime Matsuyama-shi Dogoyunomachi 19-22
    A hot spring bathhouse in Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama City. This day-trip bathhouse was built for the opening of the 1953 National Athletic Meet. Come relax in baths fed by hot spring cisterns from a free-flowing spring that can't be had anywhere but Dogo Onsen.

    This is a very satisfactory bath though not up to the level of the honkan. In any other place, this would be a premium bath. However, do note that you must bring or buy soap and shampoo (towels are...

  • KOKUDO KYUSHI FERRY
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    4.0
    38 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Nishiuwagunikatachou Misaki 1700-2
    A sea ferry that connects Saganoseki Port in Oita Prefecture with Misaki Port in Ehime Prefecture. This is the shortest connection between Shikoku and Kyushu at 31 kilometers wide, taking about 70 minutes to cross. It is part of National Route 197 which connects Kochi City with Oita City, but instead of using a bridge to cross the water, it has a ferry passing over the sea. The ferry makes 16 round-trip crossings every day, from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. Along with scenic view seats, shops, gallery seats, and group seating, there are a variety of accessible facilities including wheelchair accessible elevators (phone reservation required) and multipurpose bathrooms.

    四国を楽しんで、あまり知られない、伊方町三崎へ、海を見ながら進んでゆくと、小さな港があります。ここに大きく国道九四フェリーの看板、中にはいって係の人に従って、列に入りました。早く到着したので、ダメ元で「一便早めに乗船できるか確認しましたが、これは残念・・・スペースが有れば、乗れるようです。車に乗ったまま乗船して、客室へ移動、海を見ながら一時間少し、雨でしたが揺れることもなく、定刻に別府に到着しまし...

  • Imabari City Murakami Pirate Museum
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    4.0
    91 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Imabari-shi Miyakubocho Miyakubo 1285
    This museum, located in Miyakubo Town, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, preserves and displays artifacts related to Noshima Murakami, one of the Murakami pirates who was called “Daimyo of the seas” and who controlled Setouchi during the Sengoku, or warring states, period. The museum displays important artifacts and related works on the Noshima Murakami clan, as well as old documents, reconstructed models, and pieces unearthed during excavations. The restored Japanese armor and battle surcoat (a sleeveless campaign jacket worn over armor), said to have been actually worn, are must-see exhibits. The observation room with views overlooking the ruins of Noshima Castle, and the area where visitors can try on for themselves some armor and garments are also popular.

    I was on a tour so didnt plan on stopping here but is was so interesting. The artifacts of the museum was okay but the story and history of these pirates made the stop worthwhile. Especially if...

  • Garyu Sanso (Mountain Villa)
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    4.5
    128 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Ozushi Ozu 411-2
    This is a mountain villa of 9,930 square meters which commands a view of the picturesque landscape around the Hiji River, the “Garyu depths”, the villa was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2016. This is the villa which the wealthy merchant, Kouchi Torajiro constructed during the Meiji period to spend his final years; the Sukiya-zukuri style (Japanese traditional architectural style) of the building and the traditional Japanese landscape garden are wonderful. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery at your ease with green tea at “Furoan”. This site gained one star from “Michelin Green Guide Japan” in 2011, attracting attention.

    Loved the quietness and history of this old Japanese home and garden. Lovely walk around the house and garden. Staff were very helpful with imparting their knowledge and keen to answer questions.

  • Matsuyama City Shiki Memorial Museum
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    4.0
    108 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Dougokouen 1-30
    Located roughly five minutes’ walk from Dogo Onsen Station, the Matsuyama City Shiki Memorial Museum has on display manuscripts and works by Masaoka Shiki, a leading writer of haiku poetry who was born in Matsuyama, as well as letters exchanged with Natsume Soseki and other major literary figures with whom he was friendly. The Museum provides detailed displays on the history of Dogo and Matsuyama, on the times in which Masaoka Shiki lived, and on his friendships and acquaintances. Special events are held on an occasional basis, and the Museum also functions as a community center for the local community.

    道後温泉駅から徒歩3分ほど。道後公園内に立地している4階建ての文化施設で、2-3階が博物館となっている。入館料は400円。展示室内は愚陀佛庵(復元)を除き撮影不可。 展示は全体の4分の1が道後・松山の歴史、残りが正岡子規の生涯に関する解説・資料展示となっている。正岡子規は松山の生まれで、松山市駅近くには「正岡子規誕生邸址」の石碑も立つ。教科書にも載る明治を代表する俳人であるが、浅学のため有名な「柿...

  • Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru Historical Garden
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    3.5
    136 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Marunouchi 5
    A historic garden which sits at the base of Matsuyama Castle, one of the Japan's Top 100 Castles? in the center of Matsuyama. Built on the site of the residence of Gamo Tadatomo, the second lord of the Iyo-Matsuyama Domain, the omotegoten palace remains are now covered in flowers while the former noble private quarters are covered in ponds and lawn that show the former room layout. Also excavated on the site, whose size is nearly 1.6 hectares, is Japan's largest ancient water well. Recognized in 2013 as a Couple's Holy Land, nearly 500 pre-wedding photo shoots are staged here annually. There are also three pavilions on the grounds, the Katsuyama-tei, Juraku-tei, and Kanko-tei, that are used for cultural events including tea ceremonies and haiku poetry gatherings.

    To get to the castle you first have a ride in a cable car or chairlift up the mountain. There is still a rather energetic up hill walk required to access the castle itself. Having made it up to the...

Ehime Areas

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Stretched across the northwest corner of Shikoku island, Ehime is a nature-rich prefecture boasting beautiful coastlines and a rural center where mountains play host to 26 of the Buddhist temples that make up the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Matsuyama is home to an original post-feudal castle as well as Dogo Onsen, one of the country’s oldest natural hot springs. The northern city of Imabari marks the entrance to the Shimano Kaido, a road that crosses six spectacular bridges and several islands, forming a route between Shikoku and mainland Honshu.

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