The southern Ehime Prefecture, which is particularly known for its nature, history, local cuisine, and unique culture, is the perfect place for a leisurely trip through the Japanese countryside! In this article, we will introduce a course that will allow you to fully enjoy the local seas, islands, and villages of the southern Ehime Prefecture!
2025.02.14Enjoy a relaxing time at the seaside town in the southern Ehime Prefecture!
The southern Ehime Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku. It is full of local charm, with its unique nature, history, and culture, including local cuisine, remaining particularly well within Ehime Prefecture. In this article, we will introduce a course that will allow you to enjoy the local seas, islands, and villages of the southernEhime Prefecture!
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Table of Contents
- [Ozu City] Head to Ozu City and enjoy the Seto Inland Sea Sea
- [Seiyo City] Enjoy the original scenery of Japan's sea and countryside
- [Uwajima] A castle town and fisherman's island full of history
- [Matsuno Town] Relax in the forest!
[Ozu City] Head to Ozu City and enjoy the Seto Inland Sea Sea
A trip to Ozu City with the Iyonada Story
Let's start our trip to the Southern Ehime from Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture! Matsuyama City is not in the Southern Ehime , but we recommend the tourist train "Iyonada Monogatari" to go to Ozu City in the Southern Ehime ! The Iyonada Monogatari is more expensive than regular trains, but you can enjoy a leisurely two-hour train journey with the sea up close from the train window, sometimes moving slowly. You can also enjoy meals made with Ehime ingredients on board!
Ozu City is recognized worldwide as a sustainable city
Ozu City is developing its tourism town centered around historical buildings such as Ozu Castle and Garyu Sanso , but it is actually recognized worldwide as a sustainable town. Until a few years ago, Ozu City was in danger of losing its streetscape all at once due to depopulation, a declining birthrate and aging population, and an increase in vacant houses. Therefore, Ozu City is promoting "tourism town development utilizing historical resources" by revitalizing old houses and transforming them into hotels and shops. Now, various shops have opened, including Japan's largest decentralized hotel, "NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town ," shops selling local products, cafes that make use of the atmosphere of old houses, and local crafts.
![[Traveling through a restored castle town] Tourism and urban development in Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2024/11/28-212455.webp)
Ozu City's efforts have been recognized by Green Destinations, an international certification organization for sustainable tourism, which has ranked it first in the world in the Story Awards Culture & Tradition category in 2023, and awarded it the GD Certification Silver Award in 2024, which has stricter standards than last year.
Japanese sweets that even feudal lords ate
Ozu is home to many Japanese sweets beloved by feudal lords of the past. A typical example is a type of Japanese sweet called "shigure." Shigure is a Japanese sweet made from steamed red beans and rice flour, characterized by its moderate sweetness and chewy texture. Shigure was introduced to Ozu around 1700, and has remained unchanged since then, having been passed down from generation to generation. Even now, there are about 10 shigure shops remaining in Ozu, and you can enjoy the different tastes and textures of each shop.
Local sake at a traditional Japanese shop!
Ozu is home to a sake brewery that has become popular worldwide. Yoro Sake Brewery handcrafts its sake using rice grown in Ehime Prefecture and the underground water of the Hijikawa River that runs through Ozu. And in the castle town of Ozu, there is a perfect shop to buy this sake. "Sakeno Sawada Ogura Residence" is a traditional Japanese house shop that sells a variety of alcoholic beverages, including sake and wine. Come and enjoy the carefully selected sakes selected by the owner in this old-fashioned shop.
[Seiyo City] Enjoy the original scenery of Japan's sea and countryside
Once you've finished your trip to Ozu, head to Seiyo City! Seiyo City has many areas that still retain the traditional Japanese countryside scenery, making it a great place to enjoy a relaxing time.
Streets of Unomachi
Near Unomachi Station in Seiyo City, there are many historic streets that have been preserved since ancient times. Some of these historic buildings have been converted into old-style shops, and some are townhouses that you can enter freely. Please enjoy the streets that will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time.
Remains of Japanese streetscape in Akehama
Akehama Town in Seiyo City is a perfect place to experience the seaside of the Japanese countryside, with terraced fields made of piled stones and a port town that has remained unchanged since ancient times. The most distinctive feature of Akehama is the terraced fields where mandarin oranges grow. You can see a beautiful contrast between the terraced fields made of white limestone, the sparkling blue sea, the blue sky, and the greenery.
You can get to Akehama by bus or train from Unomachi. The route is a little complicated, but please refer to Google Maps.
A mammoth suddenly appears in a rural landscape!?
Seiyo City is one of the leading rice producing areas in Japan. In Seiyo City, where beautiful rice fields spread out, a mother and child mammoth suddenly appear. This mammoth is actually a "straw mammoth" made of straw. The straw mammoth was created by local volunteers in cooperation with university students from Tokyo. You will definitely be amazed to see a mammoth in a peaceful rice field!
[Uwajima] A castle town and fisherman's island full of history
Once you've finished your trip in Seiyo, head south to Uwajima City! Uwajima City is the most prosperous city in the southern Ehime Prefecture, and is an area rich in the sea, food, and local culture typical of a castle town.
Beautiful Japanese garden, Tenshaen
Tenshaen is a Japanese garden built by the feudal lord of Uwajima as his retirement home. Various types of bamboo, wisteria, irises, and other seasonal plants are planted here, allowing you to see different aspects depending on the season. Please come and enjoy Uwajima's beautiful Japanese garden!
Kushima is truly a fisherman's island!
Kushima is an island rich in nature, located 4km from the center of Uwajima City. The circumference of the island is only about 10km, so we recommend renting a bicycle in Uwajima City and going around the island! There are many spots that can only be enjoyed here, such as the Umisuzume Observatory, where you can see fishermen at work and refreshing views, the Island's Memories Piano , which was made from a former elementary school and where you can enjoy a locally produced lunch, and the spectacular sunset in the evening. If you come to Uwajima, be sure to enjoy Kushima to the fullest!
The unusual Taga Shrine's Dekoboko Shindo
Taga Shrine is famous as one of the most unusual shrines in Japan. It is said to bring good luck in terms of health, healing, and fertility, but what really catches the eye of visitors are the materials related to sex. The Sexual Culture Museum located within the shrine grounds displays tens of thousands of materials related to sex from around the world. You will definitely be amazed when you visit!
Kiya Ryokan is a tastefully designed inn
Kiya Ryokan was renovated from an inn that was founded in 1911, and is a private inn that can only be rented out to groups of 2 to 10 people. When you step inside the building, you'll be amazed at how spacious it is! The guest rooms are not only spacious and relaxing, but also have many elaborately designed rooms, such as rooms with glass floors and rooms that are like cozy studies.
In addition, the owner is a foreign visitors, so English support is available. Enjoy a luxurious night at Kiya Ryokan in Uwajima!
[Matsuno Town] Relax in the forest!
Matsuno Town is known as the "Land of Forests" because 84% of the town is covered in forest. It is the smallest municipality in Ehime Prefecture, with a population of just 3,000 people, but it is overflowing with content for travelers to enjoy, including its unique culture and interesting people! At the end of your trip to Southern Ehime, why not take a unique trip to Matsuno Town!
Take the local train, Yodo Line, to Matsuno Town
You can get from Uwajima City to Matsuno Town via the Yodo Line. The Yodo Line's most distinctive feature is its compact size and wide variety of exterior designs! In addition to the one pictured here, there are six other wrapped trains in operation. Be sure to find your favorite one and take a ride!
An inn where samurai entertain!?
Located in the center of Matsuno Town, close to Matsumaru Station, you will find a unique lodging facility run by a samurai! At BBQ Castle, you can enjoy a BBQ featuring local venison, fish, vegetables, and seafood, and stay overnight. This unique experience will definitely make this trip unforgettable!
A treasure trove of freshwater fish, the Fish Museum
Matsuno Town has a unique aquarium. The "Fish Museum" has a wide range of exhibits, including freshwater fish, otters, penguins, and arapaima, making it hard to believe it is a small aquarium. Most of the fish on display are from the Shimanto River, Japan's cleanest river. It is within walking distance from Matsumaru Station, so it is a spot you can't miss when you come to Matsuno Town!
Enjoy local game at Cafe Restaurant Tommy
Cafe Restaurant Tommy is a restaurant with a relaxing retro atmosphere located right in front of Matsumaru Station. They mainly serve game dishes such as croquettes and beef stew made with deer that are often caught in Matsuno Town. They also have pizza, noodles, and the classic Japanese set meals, so the menu is so extensive that you'll be spoilt for choice! If you're in Matsuno Town, this is definitely a restaurant you should visit!
Head to Kochi Prefecture, full of rivers and mountains!
Once you've finished your trip to southern Ehime , be sure to head to Kochi Prefecture! If you take the Yodo Line from Matsuno Town, you can travel to Kochi Prefecture along the Shimanto River, Japan's cleanest river. In Kochi Prefecture, you can enjoy a different atmosphere and culture than in the southern Ehime Prefecture! For more information on Kochi Prefecture, please check out this page!
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