Enjoy the Beauty of Old Japan and Stunning Nature! An Ehime Travel Guide

Ehime is located in the northwestern part of the Shikoku region, the island in southwestern Japan, with the Seto Inland Sea to the north and the Uwa Sea to the west.
The roughly 200 islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea and the Uwa Sea, along with the beautiful waters around them, create truly spectacular scenery.
Ehime is connected to Hiroshima on Honshu by the Shimanami Kaido, making it a gateway from Honshu to Shikoku.
The Shikoku Mountains run through the southern part of the prefecture along the border with Kochi, so the area is blessed with both sea and mountain landscapes.
Another highlight is its many historic buildings, including Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s 100 Fine Castles.
Even the retro atmosphere created by streetcars running through the city adds to the sense of Japan’s history and culture that can be felt throughout the prefecture.
No discussion of Ehime would be complete without Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s three oldest hot springs and widely known as the oldest hot spring in the country.
Its designated Important Cultural Property building, skin-friendly waters, and charming hot spring town are all part of its appeal, and it also served as the setting for a novel by Natsume Soseki, one of Japan’s most famous literary figures.
Ehime is also known for its thriving citrus cultivation, especially its mikan oranges, which account for as much as 80 percent of Japan’s production.

Ehime is generally mild, with little rain or snow in the northern plains, while the inland mountain areas receive more rainfall and heavier snowfall.
Matsuyama and Uwajima each have over 60 midsummer days a year, and Ozu, located in a basin, can reach 75 days, so be sure to take proper precautions against heatstroke if you plan to visit Ehime in summer.

From Tokyo to Ehime takes Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes by plane. From Osaka, it takes Approx. 1 hour by plane, making access easy.
Matsuyama Airport, the main air gateway to Ehime, also has international flights, with direct access from Taiwan, South Korea, and China.

Starting from Matsuyama Airport, the main gateway to Ehime for domestic and international travelers, here is how to get to Matsuyama Station and Imabari Station.
Matsuyama Station is Ehime’s central station and serves as a convenient base for getting around sightseeing spots.
Imabari Station, located in Imabari City in northern Ehime, is another of the prefecture’s representative stations alongside Matsuyama Station.
There are also many sightseeing spots around Imabari City, so you will likely use it often when exploring northern Ehime.

The main ways to get around Ehime are by train and bus.
Since the railway mainly runs along the coast, be sure to make good use of buses as well.
Also, some spots cannot be reached by public transportation alone, so consider using taxis or rental cars too.

If you are traveling in Ehime, it is worth understanding the attractions and highlights of its three main areas in advance.
They share some common appeal, but each has its own distinct character, so plan your trip with those differences in mind.

If you focus on Matsuyama and just visit the most popular sightseeing spots, you can still fully enjoy Ehime in 2 days and 1 night.
However, if you also want to explore the Toyo Area and Nanyo Area, you should allow at least 3 days and 2 nights.

From here, we will introduce a 1-day model course that takes you around Ehime’s popular sightseeing spots using only public transportation.
It will be a day filled with the history, culture, charm, and atmosphere of both Japan and Ehime.
If you are unsure how to plan your trip to Ehime, use this suggested itinerary as a guide.

If you can stay overnight in Ehime and use a rental car, make time to visit Shikoku Karst.
Shikoku Karst is a karst plateau that stretches across Ehime and Kochi for Approx. 25km east to west, in a highland area at an elevation of Approx. 1,400m.
Counted among Japan’s three major karst landscapes, it offers the beauty of a wide-open plateau throughout the seasons, with flowers and fresh greenery in spring, deep green scenery and alpine plants in summer, and pampas grass spreading across the fields in autumn.
The white limestone scattered across the plateau creates scenery unique to a karst landscape and is not to be missed.
It is also recommended to continue through Shikoku Karst to Kochi and enjoy a trip there as well.

The Shimanami Kaido is an Approx. 60km route connecting Honshu and Shikoku. It links Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture with Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture, allowing you to cross six islands in the Seto Inland Sea by bridge.
With the exception of the Shin-Onomichi Bridge, each bridge has roads for mopeds as well as dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths, so you can enjoy cycling while taking in the scenery of the islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea.
If you love cycling, dedicating the second day of your Ehime trip to riding the Shimanami Kaido would be a great idea.

Among Ehime’s many local specialties, here are three especially popular dishes to try.
These delicious foods let you fully enjoy the flavors of ingredients nurtured by Ehime’s rich natural environment.
Make the most of Ehime not only through sightseeing, but through its food as well.

At Ehime’s famous cherry blossom spots, you can enjoy spectacular views where cherry blossoms harmonize with the Seto Inland Sea or historic buildings.
One example is Kaisan Park, located at the 149m summit of Mt. Kaisan on Hakatajima Island.
The summit observatory is a scenic spot with sweeping views of the islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea and the bridges connecting them. During peak season, you can admire this view framed by cherry blossoms.
Sekizenzan, Approx. 370 meters high and rising in the center of Iwagi Island, a remote island in northeastern Ehime Prefecture, is also one of Ehime’s finest cherry blossom spots.
The 3,000 cherry trees blooming along the trail to the summit, together with the spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea and cherry blossoms from the summit observatory, are not to be missed.
Matsuyama Castle, the symbol of Matsuyama City, is also truly beautiful when decorated by Approx. 200 cherry trees.
For the usual blooming date, full bloom date, and best viewing period, refer to the table below.
However, keep in mind that the blooming date, full bloom date, and best viewing period may vary depending on that year’s climate, temperatures, and the specific spot.

Nature-rich Ehime is home not only to famous cherry blossom spots, but also to many great places for autumn leaves.
If you are visiting Ehime from mid-November to late November, be sure to stop by some of its autumn foliage spots as well.
At Nibukawa Gorge, one of Ehime’s most famous autumn leaves spots, you can slowly walk along the promenade while admiring the gorge colored in crimson and gold.
Namekoko Gorge is also known for its autumn foliage, and the forest surrounding Yukiwa no Taki Falls, selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Waterfalls, is a must-see. The sight of maple leaves turning the whole area deep red is exceptionally beautiful.
Odamiyama Gorge is also highly popular, and if you walk along its Approx. 1.5km promenade, you can enjoy views of the gorge and mountains painted in many different colors.
The autumn leaves reflected on the water are also beautiful, letting you fully appreciate the beauty of an autumn gorge.

In this article, we introduced the attractions and highlights of each area, recommended local foods, and model itineraries for travelers considering a trip to Ehime.
If you want to make the most of an Ehime trip in a limited number of days or are visiting Ehime for the first time, we hope this guide will be helpful.
If you want to learn more about sightseeing spots in Ehime, be sure to check out the article below as well.