Ehime
Shikoku
Known for Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen (Japan's oldest hot spring), and Ozu's castle town.
Capital
Matsuyama
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April) for Matsuyama Castle cherry blossoms; autumn for cycling the Shimanami Kaido; year-round for Dogo Onsen.
Getting There
From Osaka, Limited Express + ferry (4h) or fly to Matsuyama Airport (1h). From Hiroshima, the Shimanami Kaido cycling route is the scenic overland option.
Top Highlights
Dogo Onsen
Japan's oldest hot spring, referenced in the Manyoshu poetry anthology (1,300 years old). The Victorian-style bathhouse inspired the bath house in "Spirited Away."
Matsuyama Castle
Magnificent original castle on a hilltop above the city, accessible by ropeway, with 21 of its original buildings intact.
Shimanami Kaido
Japan's most scenic cycling route linking Honshu and Shikoku across six islands on the Seto Inland Sea via 70km of dedicated cycle paths.
Ozu Castle Town
Beautifully preserved castle town with traditional merchant houses, cormorant fishing, and one of Shikoku's finest regional castles.
Local Cuisine
Tai-meshi (Sea Bream Rice)
Whole sea bream cooked with rice in seasoned broth until the fish falls apart, mixing into the rice — a coastal Ehime celebration dish.
Jakoten
Small fried fish cake made from ground local fish with the bones left in for texture and calcium — an Uwajima regional specialty.
Ehime Citrus
Ehime produces 20% of Japan's mandarin oranges (mikan). Premium varieties like Iyokan and Setoka are best eaten November to March.
Stay Connected in Ehime
Yesim eSIMs activate on arrival — no SIM swap needed. Japan data plans from $5.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Shimanami Kaido cycle route take?+
The full 70km route from Onomichi (Hiroshima) to Imabari (Ehime) typically takes 6–8 hours at a leisurely pace. Rental bikes are available at both ends and every island along the way.
Things to Do in Ehime
12 sustainable experiences
Shimonada Station and Matsuyama Castle Private Tour
This is an 8-hour one-day tour that takes you to popular tourist spots in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Iyonada, and Ozu with a guide in a VIP specification bus with 12 regular seats and a single row of leather independent seats on each side, or a retro bonnet bus with 20 regular seats. We will
From US$1,162.99
Ainan BBQ with whole foods from the sea and mountains
・愛南BBQでは、ジビエを知り尽くす猟師がおすすめする美味しい食べ方で味わうことができます。 ・BBQでは牡蠣や貝類など旬の海産物を提供することもあります。 ・日本の里山暮らし、里山文化について学ぶことができます。
From US$42
Hiroshima Setouchi Sake Breweries
This 2-night, 3-day tour is a gastronomic and cultural journey across the Seto Inland Sea, designed for international travellers with a deep interest in Japanese food culture and regional lifestyles. Departing from Matsuyama in Shikoku, off the typical tourist route, and travelling to Kure using a c
From US$1,809.1
Local Washi and Paper Craft Cycling Tour in Uchiko Town
Cycle through a river side road of Uchiko's Washi(Japanese handmade paper) heritage. This immersive washi cycling tour connects you with local artisans while you create one-of-a-kind treasures to take home. ◆ Washi Papermaking & Book Binding at a Local Workshop Work alongside skilled craftspeople t
From US$226.14
English Haiku Experience at the Shiki Museum and Funaya Ryokan
Known as the “Haiku Capital,” Matsuyama is the birthplace of Masaoka Shiki, who redefined haiku as a form of modern literature, laid the foundations of contemporary haiku, and gave it the name “haiku.” The city is also the cradle of haiku innovation. It is home to many sites associated with renowned
From US$129.22
Haiku Writing Experience on a Pilgrimage Walk at Ishiteji Temple
Known as the “Haiku Capital,” Matsuyama is the birthplace of Masaoka Shiki, who redefined haiku as a form of modern literature, laid the foundations of contemporary haiku, and gave it the name “haiku.” The city is also the cradle of haiku innovation. It is home to many sites associated with renowned
From US$258.44
Traditional Japanese Candle Making and Uchiko Walking Tour
Are you looking for a hands-on and local immersion experience unlike any other? On this tour, you will also have the unique opportunity to partake in a 200-year-old tradition by learning how to make Japanese candles known as Warosoku. Unlike the dipped candles of the West, Uchiko Warosoku are create
From US$419.97
Gilded Washi Tapestry Making and Paper factory tour in Uchiko
You can experience a factory tour of Japanese Paper factory that has 100-year of history with a dedicated guide and making a tapestry with “gilded washi,” which is a combination of Local Japanese paper and a traditional French technique.
From US$245.52
Taxi Tour: Insta-Famous Shimonada Sunset View Award Sake Tasting
This half-day tour allows you to enjoy the charms of Ehime: the Instagram-worthy Shimoda Station and an award-winning sake brewery, all guided by private taxi. Our taxis guarantee convenience and safety, providing direct access to Shimoda where local train services are extremely limited. You can al
From US$258.44
Dogo Onsen: Kimono & Geisha Immersion Photogenic Tour
The experience takes place in Dogo Onsen—one of Japan's oldest hot springs This hot spring town, with a history spanning roughly 3,000 years, offers a mesmerizing, otherworldly Japanese atmosphere—so much so that it has even inspired anime settings. Within a compact 500m² area, you'll find magnifice
From US$298.5
Uchiwa Fan Making and Uchiko Town Historical Stroll
The perfect plan for those wishing to sightsee efficiently within limited time! Experience making traditional Japanese fans at the Ikarashi Kite Museum, which displays a wide range of materials centred on traditional kites from various regions and kites collected from around the world. Afterwards, s
From US$161.53
Ishizuchi Mystical Tour Nature and Ancient Culture Immersion
(Highest peak in western Japan/Mt. Ishizuchi) First, a guided tour of Ishizuchi Shrine where a master of Ishizuchi guides the precincts of Ishizuchi Shrine Kuchinomiya headquarters full of worship practices, offerings, and prayers; an authentic Japanese experience (for a limited time); a special Shi
From US$322.41