2025 Imabari Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

Imabari Castle is a spot where historical value and beautiful nature are wonderfully fused. From the castle's keep, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Imabari city and the Seto Inland Sea, which looks like a painting. Inside the castle, there are exhibits that retain the atmosphere of the Edo period, allowing you to feel the history. The moat surrounding the castle and the lush park were particularly pleasant, making it perfect for a stroll. The gardens are well-maintained, and the seasonal flowers delight visitors. It is a recommended place for both history and nature lovers, where you can spend a rich and peaceful time in a quiet and serene atmosphere.

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Take a break at the roadside station "Imabari Yunoura Onsen" (^^) It has a wide variety of food and souvenirs, and is a popular spot for motorcycle touring customers (^^) There is also a hot spring nearby, and a limited vegetable market is held on weekends! (^^) You can buy delicious vegetables from farmers at a low price (^^) Please go and check it out (^ ^) [Location] 252-2 Nagasawa-ko, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture [Access] Bus stop Magohei-Esaku / 6 minutes walk from Setouchi bus Bus stop Yunoura Onsen Iriguchi / 7 minutes walk from Setouchi bus Bus stop Motosebashi / 11 minutes walk from Setouchi bus [Opening days] 9:00-18:00 #Free hotel stay

📍Nomama Highland Nomama Highland, located in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, is known as the spot where cherry blossoms bloom the earliest in Ehime. About 20 Kawazu cherry trees are planted at Nomama Highland. They are characterized by their darker pink flowers than the typical Somei Yoshino cherry trees, and their appearance against the cold sky is a masterpiece. It's very cold outside, but when you see the pink flowers, you feel a little bit of spring. The next place we visited was 📍Fujiyama Health Center The wintersweets blooming here were just in full bloom, and their bright yellow color stood out against the blue sky. They are round, yellow, and fluffy, which is cute. The faintly sweet fragrance was in the air, making a winter walk in the park feel a little special. On the way back, we stopped off at 📍Lea Bailey's A cafe and restaurant founded in 1980. Enjoy lunch and cake while looking out at the Seto Inland Sea. This restaurant has a homey atmosphere and is loved by locals. We were having a great time talking and before we knew it, a beautiful sunset had set. It was a fulfilling day.

📍Osumi Seaside Park Osumi Seaside Park is located at the northernmost tip of Imabari City, and is a scenic spot with a panoramic view of the Shimanami Kaido and the Seto Inland Sea. The cherry blossoms at Osumi Seaside Park (Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture) are known for their early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms. They start blooming around the end of February every year, and their bright, deep pink petals sway in the sea breeze, heralding the arrival of spring. [Best time to see] In 2024, the cherry blossoms were 70-80% in bloom on February 16th and in full bloom on March 3rd. In 2025, they are expected to start blooming (about a few flowers) on February 15th. #FreeHotelStay

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] The fantastic lighting is popular! Imabari Castle 🏯 ^ ^ In the early Edo period, the castle was built by the master castle builder Todo Takatora on the sandy ground overlooking the Seto Inland Sea (^^) Even today, the central enclosure, the high stone walls that are over 10m high despite being built on sand, and the vast inner moat about 50m wide remain almost completely intact, making it like a fortress on water! ^ ^ The interior of the five-story castle tower and turrets, which have been rebuilt since 1980, has become a comprehensive museum that displays historical materials related to the Imabari domain, as well as materials and works related to local nature and art, and the observation deck on the top floor of the castle tower offers a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea Shimanami Kaido (^^) [Location] 3-1-3 Torimachi, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture #0 yen travel January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Shikoku 88 Temples, 54th Temple, Chikaminsan, Hoshoin, Enmei-ji The highlights of Enmei-ji are the mountain gate, the fire-fighting Fudoson, and the grave of Ochi Magobe (Ochi Magobe, who was the village headman of Akata, is said to have saved farmers from poverty and ensured that no one starved to death even during the great famine during the Kyoho era.) [Location] 636 Akata-ko, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, 794-0081 [Access] After leaving Enmyoji, head northeast on National Route 196, which runs along the coast. After passing JR Onishi Station, the road will branch off onto a narrow road that leads to Prefectural Route 38. After entering Route 38 and driving 1.4km, you will see a sign for the entrance to Enmei-ji along the road. Turn left there and drive about 300m to reach Enmei-ji. #0yentravelJanuary2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Shikoku 88 Temples, 55th Temple, Bekkuyama Kongoin Nankobo Of the Shikoku temples, this is the only temple with the "bo" in its name (^^) Officially, it is Komyo-ji Kongoin Nankobo! It is located in the center of Imabari City, but its origins are ancient, and it has a deep connection with Oyamazumi Shrine, the god of navigation and the main guardian deity of Iyo, and has a history (^^) [Location] 3-1 Bekkucho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture 794-0026 [Access] From Imabari Interchange, turn left at Katayama intersection on National Route 196 and go straight towards Imabari city. Turn left in front of Imabari Daimaru, and it is about 500m on your left. #0 yen trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Shikoku 88 Temples, 56th Temple, Kanawasan Chokōin Taisan-ji Temple There is a strong legend that Taisan-ji Temple appeased the curse of evil spirits that caused people to lose their lives in drowning^ ^ The highlights of Taisan-ji Temple are the Dosha Kaji, Fuyō no Matsu, and Jizo-guruma (diagonally in front of the main hall. There is a round wheel on the stone tower, and it is said that turning this will break the bonds of the six realms of reincarnation. The six realms are the six lost realms that sentient beings carry, including hell and hungry ghosts.) (^^) [Location] 1-9-18 Koizumi, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture 794-0064 [Access] From Imabari Interchange, go straight on National Route 196 towards Toyo City. Turn right at the intersection about 500m ahead, then go straight and you will see it on your right. #0 Yen Trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Shikoku 88 Temples, 57th Temple, Mt. Futo, Muryojuin, Eifuku-ji In this area along the Seto Inland Sea coast, there are constant shipwrecks, and Eifuku-ji has been worshiped since ancient times as a temple for safety on land and sea, and for increased longevity, as Kobo Daishi performed a memorial service for the sea god here (^^) The highlights of Eifuku-ji are the old sutra book, the boy's box cart, the wish Jizo (at the entrance to the approach to the temple. Wearing a red hat.), and the carvings of the twelve zodiac animals in the Daishi Hall (^^) [Location] 200 Hachiman-ko, Tamagawa-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime 794-0114 #0 yen trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Shikoku 88 Temples, 58th Temple, Sakurei-san, Senko-in, Senyuji The temple grounds are located on a hill 300m above sea level near the summit of Sakurei-san, which is the mountain's name, and you can see Imabari city and the Imabari International Hotel, the tallest hotel in Shikoku, below (^^) Beyond that, you can see the islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea, and even the Shimanami Kaido, which opened in 1999, all in one panoramic view! The view is amazing (^^) [Location] 483 Bessho-ko, Tamagawa-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime Prefecture, 794-0113 #0 Yen Trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Shikoku 88 Temples, 59th Temple, Konkozan Saishoin Kokubunji Iyo Kokubunji (^^) This area is the birthplace of Iyo culture, as it was the site of the provincial capital of Iyo! The ruins, believed to be the remains of the eastern tower, have 13 huge foundation stones and are considered a national historic site. The height of the seven-story pagoda, estimated from the arrangement of the foundation stones, is about 60m, and the temple's magnificent seven-hall structure evokes the Tenpyo period, which reigned over the Buddhist world of Iyo, and still retains its appearance today (^^) [Location] 4-1-33 Kokubun, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture #0 yen trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Jippoji Temple has a long history! (^^) It was founded around 1640 by the fourth head priest of Enkoji Temple, Shuhachi Tokoro, and has continued to be a Soto Zen temple to this day (^^) Throughout its long history, this temple has supported the faith of the local community, maintained deep ties, and continued to protect its traditions ^ ^ The main hall was rebuilt in 1922, and the kuri was rebuilt in 1924. As a result, Jippoji Temple continued to function as a base of faith in the local community, both physically and spiritually. [Location] 3-1-3 Kitatoriu-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture [Access] About a 23-minute walk from Exit 1 of Imabari Station #0 Yen Trip January 2025

A spacious park in Yamaguchi Ube. It has a zoo. It is a zoo that cares a lot about animal welfare. Maybe that's why all the animals living there are smiling. There are a lot of monkeys, and the capybaras are very cute. If you are planning a trip to Ube, I highly recommend it. #2025Overseas Travel Event

The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge is 4 kilometers long and connects Imabari and Oshima. It is the longest bridge in the Shimanami Kaido and the world's first triple suspension bridge that took 9 years to build. After crossing the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge from Imabari, the first thing that appears before your eyes is Mount Kameiro, which is 307.8 meters high. The Kameyama Observatory is located at the southern tip of Oshima Island and is part of the Setonaikai National Park. It is a panoramic bridge designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. Standing here, you can see the world's first triple suspension bridge " The Kurushima Strait Bridge, one of the three largest rapids in Japan, and the Seto Inland Sea can be seen at a glance.

Kirosan Observation Park in Imabari City is located along the Shimanami Kaido. It's a popular spot with an observation deck overlooking the Seto Inland Sea 😚 A 360-degree panoramic view of the ocean and mountains 🤍 The view from the observation deck is so beautiful that I just stared at it for a while. The recommended times to visit are in the evening and at night. You can enjoy the sunset sky and the sparkling night view, respectively. It's especially popular in the evening, so there's a line to get a parking spot... But the view you get after the wait is amazing, so it's worth the wait🙆♀️ On the way back, get some ice cream or Japanese sweets at the parking lot shop🍡🍨 Please be sure to go~ ✈︎---------------------------------------------✈︎ 📍: Kirosan Observatory Park, Imabari City 📸: iPhone 13 Pro, Canon EOS 5D MarkⅣ ✈︎---------------------------------------------✈︎ #DomesticTravelRecord #Ehime #EhimeTrip #EhimeTourism #Imabari #ImabariCity #ImabariTourism #KirosanObservatory #KirosanObservatoryPark #ShimanamiKaido

The Kurushima Strait located in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, has long been known as "One comes to the island, two to Naruto, and three to Shimonoseki Seto (closed)". Together with the Naruto Strait and Kanmon Strait, it is also known as Japan's three Big rapids. The "Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge" is the largest bridge on the Shimanami Kaido that runs from Hiroshima to Ehime. With a total length of about 4 kilometers, it is the world's first three-link suspension bridge. The sightseeing boat will pass under this bridge. The second and third bridges of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge are 184 meters high from the sea, making it easy for even large ships to pass. #2024Travel Review

It is also the largest maritime castle in Japan, surrounded by a triple moat and equipped with a strong harbor for ships. Even today, the moat and stone walls in the center of the castle remain almost intact, and the reconstructed castle tower, turrets and gates look beautiful. Inside the building is a museum, and the observation deck on the top floor of the castle tower offers stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea. The huge moat where sea water flows in and out and where fish migrate is also a highlight. #2024Travel Review

🇯🇵【Ehime Prefecture】Sakurai General Park🛝! You can play while looking at the spectacular view (^^) Located on a hilltop in the Yunoura Onsen area, about 5 minutes from Imabari Yunoura IC, this park is rich in nature and has many playground equipment where you can enjoy the spectacular view overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. Free grass sliding is popular! (^^) It's great to be able to enjoy sliding while looking at the spectacular view! There are also realistic animal playground equipment nearby, so you can play at your leisure (^^) 【Location】 Sakurai, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture 【Access】 Bus stop Yunoura Onsen Iriguchi/about 11 minutes walk from Setouchi Bus Bus stop Magobe Ezaku/about 17 minutes walk from Setouchi Bus Bus stop Motosebashi/about 20 minutes walk from Setouchi Bus #0 Yen Trip November

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Let's take a walk around Okamura Island (^^) A mysterious island with a fragrant breeze of mandarin oranges Located in the center of the Seto Inland Sea, this island is 11km in circumference and is a thriving fishing and fruit cultivation industry, including mandarin oranges. It is part of Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture, but is connected by land to Hiroshima Prefecture on Honshu via the Akinada Tobishima Kaido. It has a history of thriving as a place where ships could wait for the tide to change direction, and it is said that Kobo Daishi and Sugawara no Michizane also stopped by. There are many sights to see, such as ancient tombs that still hold the legend of the Heike clan and rare butterflies that live here, and the circular coastal road, which offers a refreshing view of the Shikoku coastline in the distance, is a perfect spot for cycling. #0 yen trip November

🇯🇵 [Okayama Prefecture] Setonaikai National Park🏞️(^^)! In 1934, it was designated as Japan's first national park (^^) The calm sea surface, the many scattered islands, the natural beaches with white sand and green pines, the terraced fields, and other natural and cultural landscapes combine to create the unique and familiar archipelago scenery of the Setonaikai! (^^) On Mt. Washu, there is the "Washuyama Visitor Center" which exhibits the nature and history of the Setonaikai, as well as a rest house (^^) Please go and check it out (^^) #0 yen trip November

🇯🇵【Ehime】Beautiful roses at Yoshiumi Rose Garden🌹 (^^) The largest rose park in Shikoku, with 3,500 roses of 400 varieties from around the world^ ^ From early May to the end of December, the garden is covered in colorful flowers, and in mid-May, during the peak season, a rose festival is held, attracting many tourists. 【Location】 1292 Fukuda, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime 【Access】 Bus stop Sachi/About 10 minutes on foot from Setonaikai Kotsu Bus stop Yoshiumi Branch Office Mae/About 13 minutes on foot from Setonaikai Kotsu Bus stop Furukawa/About 15 minutes on foot from Setonaikai Kotsu #0 yen trip November

An observation park located on Mount Kiro, 307.8m above sea level, at the southern tip of Oshima Island. From the modern underground observation deck, designed to preserve the island's scenery, you can see the Kurushima Strait, one of Japan's three fastest tides, and the Shikoku Mountains. Along the road near the summit, there is a spot where you can see the entire Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, the world's first triple suspension bridge, and it is also popular as a night view spot (^^) [Location] 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime Prefecture [Access] Bus stop Kameyama / About 44 minutes on foot from Setonaikai Kotsu Bus stop Kameyama / About 44 minutes on foot from Setonai Bus Bus stop Haseike / About 48 minutes on foot from Setonaikai Kotsu #0 yen trip November

Patisserie T's cafe Tamaya It's the best atmosphere to eat cake while looking at the sea! If you stop by during a cycling trip, it's located off the cycling road, and it's a little difficult to get there because of the slope, but it's worth it! 🕰️Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 17:00 L.O. 16:30 Closed on Sundays 📍Location: 2328 Aritsu, Hakata-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime #0 yen trip November

If you're going cycling on the Shimanami Kaido, we recommend renting a bicycle at the Imabari Station Cycling Terminal. 🕰️Business hours: (March-November) 8:00-20:00 (December-February) 8:00-18:00 📍Address: 773-8, Kitahoraicho 2-chome, Imabari City 💞Reasons for recommendation: When renting a bicycle, I took a test ride and rented a cross bike. The height adjustment and air pump were handled carefully, so I was able to rent a bicycle with peace of mind. #0yentripNovember

When talking about traveling in Japan, we often think of Tokyo or Osaka first. Little is known about Ehime, the tranquility of Ehime amid the hustle and bustle of Tokyo While others are wandering around popular places🚶we have walked through the streets and seaside of Ehime, leisurely savoring its unique Japanese style~ - 📍Destination: Ehime, Shikoku, Japan ✈️Transportation: Airplane (transfer to Songshan Airport) - [Guide to check-in at tourist spots] ❶Xiatan Station Spirited Away Holy Land Seaside Station🚉 Tourists come here admiringly The stop signs and station seats are the points where the film is released. Opposite is the blue sea, just take a photo and it becomes the wallpaper ❷The same maritime railway track from "Spirited Away" 10 minutes walk from Xiatan Station Walk down the path🛤️ You can see the romantic maritime railway track Feel like you are in an animation and feel the unique atmosphere ❸Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge Cycling resort Shimanami Kaido in Setouchi 🚴 The scenery of the cross-island bridge is quite spectacular, with a panoramic view of the sea🌊 You can rent bicycles at SHIMANAMI It takes about 5 minutes to ride to the bridge, which is very convenient🌉 ❹Guilaoshan Outlook Park The best time to go is in the evening on a sunny day Drive/cycle to the parking lot and then walk to the top You can see the beautiful sunset over the Seto Inland Sea🌅 ❺Orange juice comes out of the tap Songshan has a particularly interesting experience Orange juice comes directly from the tap here! Different faucets correspond to different flavors🍊 There are more than ten flavors 👅 fresh and delicious ❻Dogo Hot Spring There is a long history here. You can enjoy the hot springs and relax. The surrounding buildings are antique🍃There are general shops and exclusive private rooms upstairs (extra charge required) Tips: There are still private rooms reserved for the royal family for visiting (the walls are covered with gold foil) ❼Towel Museum The towels inside range from traditional to creative designs, which is dizzying. The production process is also shown, and the Moomin towel exhibition is great for making movies. ❽Starbucks Dogo Onsen Station Store The architectural style of this house is very distinctive Taking the photo from a distance, it feels like a movie location There is a commercial street next to it, so you can go shopping~ ❾Wolong Villa There is also a quiet place called "Wolong Villa" in Ehime, Japan. Stepping into the Japanese-style garden, the wind blows through the green bamboos. Sitting on the ground under the pavilion, sipping fragrant tea, looking up, the beautiful scenery in the courtyard is picturesque, and time seems to have stopped, with only the fragrance of tea and tranquility remaining.

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Imabari Towel Main Store! (^^) You can actually touch and find out which towel is best: soft, firm, or sturdy (^^) Consult with a towel sommelier (^^) It's also fun to choose a nice gift! [Location] 5-14-3 Higashimoncho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture 794-0033 [Access] Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from JR Yosan Main Line "Imabari Station" Approximately 7 minutes on foot from Setouchi Bus Imabari Office Approximately 5 minutes by taxi from Imabari Port Approximately 70 minutes by car from Matsuyama Airport [Business hours] 9:30-18:00 [Closed] New Year's holiday #0 yen trip November

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Saisaikiteya! (^^) Saisaikiteya! (^^)! A popular direct-from-farm market that focuses on local production and consumption! (^ ^)! There are lots of delicious Ehime oranges and more! There are also lots of souvenirs (^^)! In addition to fresh fish and vegetables, you can enjoy sweets and meals made with locally produced produce (^ ^)! [Location] 279-1 Nakadera, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture [Access] About 23 minutes on foot from the Iyo Tomita Station exit About 44 minutes on foot from Imabari Station Exit 2 [Parking] Available. Free! #0yentravelNovember

#DomesticTravelRecord Ehime Prefecture is located in the Shikoku region of Japan, and is an area with plenty of natural and historical sites and cultural attractions. It is also known as the birthplace of Ehime mandarins, and you can enjoy fresh mandarins. ﹢﹒ ✦⊹﹒ ﹢﹒ ✦⊹﹒ ﹢﹒ ✦⊹﹒ ﹢﹒ ✦⊹﹒ ﹢﹒ ✦ Outing record ◼︎Towel Museum A facility in Imabari City that proposes lifestyle and culture through towels In the 5th floor gallery, in addition to the permanent exhibition "Into the World of Moomin", towel works with warmth and gentleness are on display ◼︎Imabari Castle A sea castle built by Todo Takatora on the coast facing the Seto Inland Sea Saltwater fish such as sea bream, pufferfish, and small sharks swim in the moat ◼︎Ozu Castle A restored wooden castle tower located in Ozu City It is the first restored wooden castle tower in Japan with four stories and a height of 19.15m, making it the tallest in Japan You can experience staying overnight at a castle for the first time in Japan ◼︎Uwajima Castle A flatland castle built on a hill 80m above sea level in the center of Uwajima Built by Todo Takatora, it was extensively renovated by the second head of the Date clan, Munetoshi, to its current shape It is one of the 12 existing castle towers ◼︎Orange BAR (inside Matsuyama Airport) Near the check-in area on the first floor of Matsuyama Airport Turn on the tap and you'll get orange juice #solotravel #girlstrip #domestictravel #castletour #museum #airport #mandarin #Ehime #Ehimetourism #Imabari #Ozu #Uwajima #Moomin