Top Things to do

• Kawanoe Castle

  Ehime Pref. Shikokuchuoushi Kawanoechou

  This castle located on Mt. Washio (Mt. Shiroyama) in Kawanoe Town was originally a Buddhist temple and is also known as Butsuden Castle. Little remained of the stone gate near the keep in the Showa period (1926-1989), but with the 30th anniversary of Kawanoe City, the castle tower, watchtower, barbican, turrets and fences were reconstructed in its present state. Besides being able to see all over the islands in the Seto Inland Sea from the castle keep, armor and helmets from the Sengoku period (1467-1603 as a rough guide) are also on display. In addition, known as a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, the Sakura Matsuri is held there in the spring.

• Ishizuchi Shrine Head Shrine

  Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Nishida Kou 797

  Mt. Ishizuchi, western Japan's highest mountain, is also known as the Roof of Shikoku. Ishizuchi Shrine worships the holy Mt. Ishizuchi, which is believed to be where the deities dwell. Ishizuchi Shrine is a general term that actually encompasses four different shrines including a shrine at the summit of the mountain, two on the seventh station of the mountain: Jojusha Shrine and Tsuchigoya Yohaiden Hall, and the main shrine located near the National Route. The main shrine, also called the Kuchi-no-Miya Shrine, is located on a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea as well as the Shimanami Kaido Road and is the base location for Ishizuchi Shrine. Ishizuchihiko-no-Mikoto is the primary deity of the shrine and is deeply revered, believed to bring peace and prosperity in the household, protection from misfortune, good fortune, and recovery from illness.

• Ehime Prefectural Science Museum

  Ehime Pref. Nihamashi Ojouin 2133-2

  The science museum has three permanent exhibition halls (the nature hall, the science and technology hall and the industry hall) and a huge planetarium 30 meters in diameter which has featured in the Guinness Book of Records. The centerpiece of the museum is a real dinosaur robot that moves. The museum plays host to many temporary exhibitions and hands-on events making it a great place to come for the whole family.

• Kiri-no-Mori Roadside Station

  Ehime Pref. Shikokuchuoushi Shinguchoumatate 4491-1

  A roadside station in Shingu Town, Shikokuchuo City, Ehime Prefecture surrounded by forest with local produce on sale, a restaurant, cafe and cake shop. In the restaurant, the cha-soba made with Shingu green tea, and the kiri-no-mori roll cake, are popular choices. For souvenirs, the kiri-no-mori daifuku cake made with a copious amount of local matcha green tea is especially famous, often selling out on the holidays and weekends and in the early part of the new green tea season. There is also an onsen so guests can enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath and cottages for accommodation on site.

• Minetopia Besshi Tohnal Zone

  Ehime Pref. Nihamashi Tatsukawachou 654-3

  Often referred to as the Machu Picchu of the East, these plains can be found in the mountains at an altitude of 750 meters. Because the Besshi Mining headquarters were located here from 1916 to 1930, the area has the makings of a town, with company housing, an elementary school, and a reception building. There’s a large brick building still standing as well, and the Tohnal Historical Museum features exhibitions on the culture of the period and the Besshi copper mines.

• Sankakuji Temple

  Ehime Pref. Shikokuchuoushi Kanadachousankakuji Instep 75

  This temple belongs to the Koyasan-Shingon sect and is located in KanadaTown in Shikokuchuo City, Ehime Prefecture, and it is the 65th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is said that the Buddhist priest Gyoki laid the foundations for the temple between 729 and 749. The principal image is an 11-faced Kanzeon statue, which is said to have been sculpted by Kukai when he visited the temple. He is also said to have sculpted a statue of Acala and constructed a triangular fire altar and taught the secret “kofuku (surrender) goma” ritual. The 11-faced Kanzeon statue is said to bring good luck, ward off evil, pregnancy, and provide safe childbirth, and many couples visit to pray to be blessed with a child. The temple grounds are also known as a famous viewing spot for wild cherry blossoms.

• Besshi Copper Mine

  Ehime Pref. Nihamashi Tatsukawachou

  Besshi Copper Mine, known as the Machu Picchu of the East, was once the world’s leading producer of copper. Nowadays, it is known as “Minetopia Besshi” and features mineshafts, cart tracks for transporting ore, the “Tonaru” history museum, and more.

• Asahi Beer Shikoku Brewery

  Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Hiuchi 2-6

  This brewery is on a plot of land a 10-minute ride away from JR Iyo-Saijo Station via the free shuttle bus. It began operations in 1998 as Shikoku’s first truly large-scale beer brewery, and free tours are offered via reservation. On the tour, you can view a movie and the actual ingredients as you learn about beer and Asahi products. Visitors also get to visit the control room, preparation chamber, and part of the production line. Free drink samples are offered in the guest hall. Beer and grilled mutton are offered in the Asahi Beer Garden on-site, and there’s a gift shop as well.

• Maegamiji Temple

  Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Sunouchi Kou 1426

  This is the head temple of the Ishizuchi sect of Shingon Buddhism and is located in Sunouchiko in Saijo City, Kochi Prefecture, and it is the 64th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is located at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi, considered one of Japan’s seven holiest mountains and a quasi-national park. En no Gyoja laid the foundations for the temple, and it was built as a complete seven-structured temple compound under orders from Emperor Kammu (781-806). The imperial family and the feudal lords of the Edo period had a deep connection, and many believers remain today. Near the summit of Mt. Ishizuchi is the Inner Maegamiji Temple, and in July, worshipers wearing white clothing ascend the mountain at the start of the mountain-climbing season.