Niihama / Toyo

Top Things to do

• Ehime Prefectural Science Museum

  4.0

  43 Reviews

  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.

• Yokomineji Temple

  4.0

  39 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Komatsuchouishiduchi 2253

  This is the head temple of the Omuro sect of Shingon Buddhism and is located in Komatsu Town, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, and it is the 60th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is situated halfway up the north face of Mt. Ishizuchi, famous as a sacred site and for the highly treacherous “falling pilgrim” road that must be used for access until the forest road is completed for cars to use. En no Gyoja laid the foundations in 651. Afterward, Kukai visited and established the temple after conducting the secret “hoshi” ritual. The principal images in the main hall are Dainichi-Nyorai and Zao Gongen Mishotai, which have been designated as prefectural Important Cultural Properties. Around the beginning of May, rhododendrons bloom along the face of the cliff to the side of the main hall. Note that the forest road is not accessible during winter. Large buses cannot access the road.

• Asahi Beer Shikoku Brewery

  4.0

  35 Reviews

  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.

• Sendan-san Koonj-ji Temple

  3.5

  32 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Komatsuchouminamigawa Instep 19

  The Sendan-san Koon-ji Temple is the 61st temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. According to tradition, the temple was founded by Prince Shotoku to pray for the recovery of Emperor Yomei from illness at the end of the 6th century, making it one of the most ancient temples in the 88-temple Pilgrimage. Subsequently, when Kobo Daishi was visiting the temple, he met a woman in front of the temple gate who was suffering from a difficult pregnancy; Kobo Daishi burnt sandalwood incense and prayed for a smooth childbirth, and the woman was able to give birth safely; this incident is said to be the origin of the name Endan-san (“Sandalwood Mountain”). Since then, the Koon-ji Temple has been famous as a temple where people go to pray for a smooth childbirth; there is a statue of Koyasu Daishi (a famous monk who is believed to help women in childbirth) just to the right of the Daisei Hall which attracts may worshippers.

• Maegamiji Temple

  4.0

  26 Reviews

  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.

• Sankakuji Temple

  4.0

  26 Reviews

  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.

• Ishizuchi Shrine Head Shrine

  4.5

  24 Reviews

  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.

• Marubun Komatsu Main Restaurant

  4.5

  23 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Komatsuchoushinyashiki A 407-1

  "This long-established Italian restaurant is located right in front of Iyo-Komatsu Station on the JR Yosan Line. It always tries to serve dishes that utilize the ingredients materials, such as vegetables sent directly from local trading farmers. Their ""Ehime Saijo Neapolitan,"" which is a spaghetti dish made with a tomato sauce using Pom juice of Ehime as a secret flavor, is a recommended menu item that combines freshness and nostalgia. The specialty ""Toriten"" (chicken tempura) is an appetizing dish with a garlic flavor that is crispy, juicy and suitable for both rice and sake. Their sweets such as their cool coconut-flavored chiffon cake are also popular."

• Hojuji Temple

  3.0

  33 Reviews

  Ehime Saijo-shi Komatsucho Shinyashiki Ko 428

  This Buddhist temple is the 62nd temple of the 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. The temple was built on the order of Emperor Shomu. According to legend, the temple's principal object of worship, a an eleven-faced statue of Avalokitesvara, was modeled after Emperor Shomu's wife, Empress Komyo, and this statue is famously believed to grant worshippers an easy childbirth.