Spots in Imabari / Shimanami Kaido Area

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Imabari / Shimanami Kaido

Category

Imabari Castle

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
Oyamazumi Shrine

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

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.
The Towel Museum

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.
Michinoeki tatarashimanamikouen

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...
Imabari City Murakami Pirate Museum

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...
Hakata Salt (Omishima Factory)

4.0

66 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Omishimachoutena 32

"Hakata no Shio (salt of Hakata) is familiar as a commercial ""Ha-ka-ta-no-Shio"". The salt is naturally dried to produce delicious salt with just the right amount of bittern left in it, the appearance of which is like a snowy mountain, and visitors can try their hand at making their one and only unique salt (reservations are required). It is also recommended to take home the salt you made and compare it with the salt you have at home. At the store, ""Shio soft cream"" (soft-served ice cream with salt) topped with large grains of salt is very popular, and its refreshing and sweet taste attracts many repeat customers."

訪問は５月８日日曜日。ネットで見たところ、当日は１５時３０分までやっているという書き方であったので間に合うよう１４時頃到着した。工場の建物はネットに出ている写真と同じ、ここだと思い入口に。そうしたら「コロナ禍のため当面見学は中止しています」との掲示。「ええ-」という思いではあったが、持ち帰り用の伯方の塩セットが置かれていたので頂いて、折角来た記念として工場の写真をパチリと...
Itoyama Park / Kurushima Strait Observatory

4.5

43 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ehime Imabari-shi Koura Cho 2-5-2

This park in Koura-cho 2-Chome, Imabari City is located at the base of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, which runs along the Shimanami Kaido. The park features a facility with exhibits about the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge. There is also an observatory that offers great views of the Kurushima Strait, which is known for its rapid currents.

来島海峡大橋を眺めることができます。売店のほか、トイレが整備されています。道向かいの展望台の方が、より絶景を見れます。
Yoshiumi Iki-iki Kan Roadside Station

4.0

38 Reviews

Transportation

Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Yoshiumichoumiyou 4520-2

This roadside station is located on Oshima Island in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, at the base of the Kurushima-kaikyo-ohashi Bridge, which is actually three successive suspension bridges on the Shimanami Kaido Expressway. Inside are shops and sales outlets of specialty products with lots of fresh, locally caught seafood, marine products and souvenirs on sale. There is an area where visitors can enjoy grilled seafood and have a barbecue while looking out over the Kurushima-kaikyo-ohashi Bridge and a popular restaurant serving seafood set meals, etc. Also on offer during the winter months is as much oyster as you can eat.

鯛の塩ラーメンがかなり美味しいです。セットで頼んだ鯛めしは、昨晩に美味しいものを頂いたので、ちょっと、いまいちでした。こちらは、海鮮BBQもやっていました。時間がある時に、是非、チャレンジしてみたいです。
Roadside Station Hakata SC Park

4.0

24 Reviews

Transportation

Ehime Imabari-shi Hakatacho Kanoura Ko 1668-1

伯方・大島大橋のたもとにある道の駅で、SはSportsスポーツ・CはCulture文化の意味で、テニスコート等の体育センターやコンサートホール等の文化センター・レンタサイクルターミナルもあります中には「マリンオアシスはかた」が併設されていますまた、伯方・大島大橋を眺めながら泳げる、伯方ビーチが隣にあります
Bekku-san Nankobo

4.0

47 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Bekkuchou 3-1

Located around seven minutes’ walk from Imabari Station, Bekku-san Nankobo is the 55th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The Temple’s full name is Komyo-ji Kongo-in Nankobo; it is the only temple on the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage route that has the character “bo” (meaning a priest’s or monk’s residence) as part of its name. The Temple was established as a Buddhist temple associated with the Oyamazumi Shinto Shrine, at which worshippers pray for the safety of people traveling by sea. The tranquil atmosphere of the Temple precincts makes it popular with both tourists and locals as a place to come and relax. The Kotohira-gu Hall and the Daishi Hall with its pyramidal roof, both of which escaped damage during bombing raids in the Second World War, are particularly worth seeing. The Temple also has calligraphic works and a bamboo hat that belonged to Kawamura Kizan (the first calligrapher to receive the Japan Art Academy Award) which were given to the Temple as offerings.

１３００年の歴史を誇る古寺中の古寺。四国霊場第５５番札所の名刹です。ここの仁王門は実に素晴らしい、壮大でかつ威厳が感じられる。四国霊場の中でも「坊」と云う名称を有するのは唯一、ここだけ。ここは瀬戸内海に浮かぶ大三島の大山祇神社の別宮として創建されたものらしい。従って、寺院としての山号も「別宮山」とある。真言宗醍醐派寺院で本尊は大通智勝如来と云う珍しい名称の仏像。仁王門に安置されている多聞天同様、素...
Seto Inland Sea Shimanami Kaido

Travel / Tourism

Hiroshima Prefecture Onomichi City - Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

There are three expressways connecting Honshu (the main island of Japan) with Shikoku (the smallest of the four main islands of Japan), and Nishiseto Expressway, also known as Shimanami Kaido, which is one of them. It connects Onomichi in Honshu with Imabari in Shikoku, and covers the west route. As you cross the islands, there are many beautiful scenic locations and tourist spots along the way including temples and historical landmarks. This is also the location of Japan’s first cycling road to cross over the strait, drawing numerous cycling tourists.
Kokubunji Temple

3.5

26 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ehime Imabari-shi Kokubu 4-1-33

"This Buddhist temple situated at the foot of Mt. Karako is the 59th temple of the 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Built on the order of Emperor Shomu in 741, according to legend the great monk Kobo Daishi later stayed here for an extended period of time and made the temple's statues depicting the Five Great Wisdom Kings. The current main temple is located about 100 meters away from where the original stood when the temple was founded and was built in 1789. Each year from early to mid-April, the temple's Camellia reticulata ""Mouchang"" (also known as one of the 10 famous camellias in Iyo), designated a Natural Monument by the city, come into bloom."

全国に多数あった国分寺の一つです。聖武天皇が全国に指示して造らせた寺院です。行基作とされている薬師如来が本尊です。時代的に全国の国分寺は殆どが１２８０年超の古寺と云うことになる。全国どこにでもあったことから、住所表示が正確に出来てないとどこの国分寺か解らなくなるほどあちこちにある。ここは住所以外にも「金光山」と云う山号を有しているので金光山(院号＝最勝院)国分寺と云えばここにしかない国分寺と区別出...
Kinrinzan Taizanji Temple

3.5

30 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Koizumi 1-9-18

This temple is 56th temple of the 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. A long time ago the Soja River took the lives of many people when it flooded during the rainy season each year. It is said that Kobo Daishi visited and made an embankment. When he conducted training for esoteric Buddhist rites, the Enmei Jizo Bodhisattva appeared to him and told him that there had been no prayers for flood control. He made a statue of the bodhisattva and made it the principal object of worship, creating a sacred place. There is a stone tower in the grounds with a wheel called the Jizo Wheel; it is said that if you turn the wheel, your bond to the endless circle of transmigration in the six posthumous worlds will be severed.

梅雨時になると氾濫する蒼社川が近くを流れているが、空海が巡錫の時にも大氾濫したため空海が持てる土木技術を駆使して治水工事をして治めたと云われている。この川は元は近隣の総社の名から「総社川」とも云われたらしいが、余りにも人命まで奪うことから「人取川」とも揶揄されたとのこと。四国の蛮勇による兵火の災難を経て規模は縮小されて、現在の山麓に移されたとのことです。ここは真言宗醍醐派寺院で本尊は弘法大師・空海...
Yoshiumi Rose Park

4.0

42 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Yoshiumichoufukuda 1292

Yoshiumi Rose Park in Oshima Yoshiumi Port hosts 3,500 rose bushes of 400 varieties from around the world on a site of about 2.8 hectares. It’s one of the few places in the country with over 100 kinds of heirloom roses, including their “Josephine Collection.” The best time to see them is mid-May to early June and mid-October to early November. Many visitors come for late May’s Rose Festival. You can also purchase rose seedlings and mini-roses at a nearby shop.

Lovely park, surprisingly large, nice diversion off the bike way. There was not much flowering in September.
Tamagawa Museum of Modern Art

4.0

8 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Tamagawachouono Case 86-4

"Located approximately a 50-minute drive on National Route 317 from the center of Matsuyama City, this art museum houses and exhibits mainly works collected by the local businessman Tadatsune Tokusei. It has works from painters who have left their mark on modern Western painting such as Seiki Kuroda's ""Snow in the Garden"" and Takeji Fujishima's ""Corner of the Park,"" and small but warm treasures. The collection also includes overseas works from artists such as Picasso, Rouault, Miro and Chagall, and a wide range of works by painters who colored recent times. In addition, the shop also sells original museum Bary-san character goods."

今治市の名誉市民で実業家の徳生忠常のコレクションをもとにした美術館。コンクリート打ちっぱなしの館内は、落ち着いてゆっくりと鑑賞できるスペースが確保されています。「須田国太郎と独立美術協会の画家たち」展を拝見しました。ほか、所蔵品の黒田清輝や特に松本竣介の作品も質のいいものだと思います。
Omishima Island

Travel / Tourism

Ehime prefecture Imabari city Oimachima cho

Located in the northernmost part of Ehime prefecture, it is the largest island of the Geiyo Islands. Ooyamazumi-jinja Shrine, the symbol of the island, has been collecting faith as the god of fighting since ancient times, and many weapons designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Property have been given as offerings. It is also called “The Island of Gods” or “Island of National Treasures”, and it is full of highlights besides Ooyamazumi-jinja Shrine, such as the Omishima Art Museum and Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture.
Sareizan Senkoin Senyuji Temple

4.0

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ehime Pref. Imabarishi Tamagawachoubessho A 483

Sareizan Senkoji Senyuji located near the peak of Sareizan in Tamagawa Town, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture is a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect, and the 58th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. With a good view from the precinct, the center of Imabari City spreads out beneath your eyes. It was built at the behest of Tenchi Emperor (668 to 671). The principal image of the Thousand-armed Kannon Bosatsu is said to have been carved by a daughter of the Sea-dragon King. There is also a legend that Abo sennin, a monk who maintained the Shichidogaran (seven important buildings in a temple) for over 40 years, suddenly disappeared. In the precinct, there are okajimizu where Kobo daishi treated several diseases and a gorinto to pray for the soul of Yurenshonin, a prelate in the Meiji period (1868-1912). A lodge in the precinct which has a natural hot spring is also available for tourists to stay.

四国八十八ヶ所の58番の仙遊寺さんには宿坊があります。夕飯はかなり手間をかけた玄米菜食でとても美味しく、体が喜ぶ感じです。ここに泊まるのはお遍路さんが多く、夕飯のときにはいろいろ情報交換もできて、楽しいです。私もお遍路の時によりました。朝ごはんは１月７日だったので、七草粥がでましたが、お代わりは玄米のお粥もいただけました。朝ごはんの前にはお勤めもあり、ご住職さんのお話も聞けて気持ちが引き締まるのは...
Tidal Currents Experience Cruise

4.0

14 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ehime Imabari-shi Miyakubocho Miyakubo 1293-2

This pleasure cruise service operates out of Oshima Island, one of the Geiyo Islands that lay in the western part of the Seto Inland Sea. The ship departs from a boarding dock across from the Murakami Suigun Museum and proceeds through intense rapids long known as being the most perilous part of the Seto Inland Sea to destinations such as the Noshima Castle Ruins, a National Historic Site, as well as the Hakata–Oshima Bridge.

しまなみ海道のサイクリングで立ち寄りました。 40分のクルーズで、伯方大島大橋の近くまで周遊します。村上水軍が拠点としていた島など、歴史的な観点からの解説から、複雑な地形から生まれる複雑な海流など、自然現象に関する解説まで、かなり幅広い話が聞け、とても興味深かったです。歴史についてはあまり詳しくないのですが、船が自然と流れていくほどの潮流や、海の中に川が流れているように見える場所、海底の岩にぶ...
Nihon Shokken World Tasty Museum

3.5

17 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ehime Imabari-shi Tomitashinko 1-3

This commodity manufacturing museum was built to resemble the Belvedere Palace in Vienna, Austria. It was founded on the site of the Nihon Shokken Holdings Ehime main office as a transmission base of world food culture. There are two tour courses to choose from; the Food Culture Museum Course (takes around three and a half hours) which includes lunch at the staff cafeteria, and the Palace Course which centers around the KO Palace factory. It is the world's only museum that showcases a wide range of information about the food culture of the world, from the things that are actually put in the mouth to the ingredients, utensils, tableware, and meal etiquette.

お城の工場見学に参加しました。入場料1000円は少し高いですが、焼き肉のたれなどのお土産がついてきます。宮殿の中に工場があるのでとてもシュールです。説明も丁寧ですが、若干駆け足です。せっかく説明パネルがたくさんあって面白そうなのに見られなかったのが少し残念でした。

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Ehime Areas

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.