Recommended for first-time travelers to Ehime! A 3-night, 4-day model route to enjoy experiences unique to Japan
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Ehime Prefecture is full of tourist attractions where you can enjoy unique scenery and experiences, such as the Shimanami Kaido, Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama Castle, and Ozu! In this article, we will introduce a model route for a 3-night, 4-day trip that will allow you to fully experience the charms of Ehi...
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The charm of Ehime Prefecture is its natural beauty and history and culture
Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku is attractive for its beautiful location overlooking the Seto Inland Sea and its rich history and culture. The climate is warm throughout the year, making it a great place to travel in any season.
In particular, the Shimanami Kaido , which connects Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture and Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a scenic route overlooking the beautiful islands between gentle waves. It is known worldwide as a mecca for cyclists.
Picture courtesy of Matsuyama City, Tourism and International Exchange Division, Industry and Economy Department
Ehime has a long history and is mentioned in the Kojiki, Japan's oldest historical book, and is home to a unique culture.
Another attraction is being able to experience old Japan, with sights like Dogo Onsen, said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan, and Ozu, which once flourished as a castle town.
This article introduces access and a model itinerary for a four-day, three-night trip to Ehime's best sightseeing spots for readers traveling there for the first time. It also includes plenty of spots recommended by locals and writers who have traveled there!
[Reference article]
Ehime Prefecture Tourism Guide: Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen, Imabari, and Remote Island Spots
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Table of Contents
- Three main ways to get to Ehime
- A 3-night, 4-day itinerary for visiting Ehime's major spots
- [Days 1-2] To the Shimanami Kaido (Tokyo → Onomichi, approx. 4 hours)
- [Days 2-3] Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen (Imabari → Matsuyama approx. 35 mins)
- [Days 3-4] To Ozu (Matsuyama → Ozu, approx. 35 mins)
- How do I get back to Tokyo from Ozu?
- Enjoy an experience unique to Ehime
Three main ways to get to Ehime
Imabari Station Photo by Pixta
If you are heading to Ehime from Tokyo, you can access the area by train or plane. If you are traveling by train, you can easily access each area by departing from Matsuyama Station or Imabari Station, and if you are traveling by plane, you can easily access each area by departing from Matsuyama Airport.
Here we will introduce three ways to access the station, depending on the stopover point.
Train: via Hiroshima, Shimanami Kaido, Imabari
If you are traveling from Tokyo to Ehime via Hiroshima, first head to Fukuyama Station by Shinkansen. The journey takes about three hours and 30 minutes.
If you transfer to the "Shimanami Liner" highway bus from Fukuyama Station, you will arrive at Imabari Station (Ehime) in about an hour and a half. The "Shimanami Liner" also allows you to stop at islands on the " Shimanami Kaido ", such as Setoda and Omishima.
Train: via Kagawa to Imabari/Matsuyama
You can also travel from Tokyo to Ehime via Kagawa. Get off the Shinkansen at Okayama Station and transfer to the JR Yosan Line "Limited Express Shiokaze." It takes about 2 hours from Okayama Station to Imabari Station, and about 2 hours and 45 minutes to Matsuyama Station.
This route is recommended for those who want to travel around not only Ehime Prefecture but also Shikoku .
By plane: Matsuyama Airport
Ehime Prefecture is home to Matsuyama Airport, which has direct flights from nine locations across Japan, including Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports, as well as Itami Airport (Osaka) and Fukuoka Airport (Fukuoka).
It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Haneda Airport to Matsuyama Airport. Matsuyama city, where Dogo Onsen is located, is about 20 to 30 minutes by car, so access is good.
Jetstar, a low-cost carrier, operates routes from Tokyo's Narita Airport, which are cheaper than the Shinkansen and are recommended if you are heading to Matsuyama .
Check out the great value Japan Rail Pass!
If you are a tourist visiting Japan, you can also use the value-for-money Japan Rail Pass .
This is a great pass that allows you unlimited travel on all JR trains and buses across Japan.
The price varies depending on the number of days you travel (7 days, 14 days, or 21 days) and the type of Shinkansen car you choose (ordinary car or green car). If you choose a 7-day trip and an ordinary car, the price is 50,000 yen per adult.
A 3-night, 4-day itinerary for visiting Ehime's major spots
From here, we will introduce a specific plan for a four-day, three-night trip. The destinations are Shimanami Kaido, Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama, and Ozu.
If you are heading from Tokyo, we especially recommend the route via Hiroshima. Here, we will introduce a model route that goes from Shimanami Kaido to Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama, and Ozu, assuming you are going via Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture.
[Days 1-2] To the Shimanami Kaido (Tokyo → Onomichi, approx. 4 hours)
Our first destination, the Shimanami Kaido, is a 60km long road that connects Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. It connects six islands in the Seto Inland Sea with seven suspension bridges.
Enjoy the Shimanami Kaido by bicycle and boat
Picture courtesy of Ehime Prefecture Tourism and Products Association
The Shimanami Kaido has a bicycle-only road, which is rare in Japan. Cycling while taking in the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea's many islands is an experience that can only be experienced here.
"The Shimanami Kaido is about 60km long. You don't have to cycle the whole way. There are ferries you can take your bike on, and I also recommend viewing the beautiful suspension bridges from the water.
The Seto Inland Sea is not only known for its spectacular scenery, but also for its delicious seafood. This article introduces hotels that are renowned for their locations and delicious food, as well as cruise tours that allow you to enjoy the Shimanami Kaido area.
[Click here for cruise and E-Bike tours]
Setouchi Seto Inland Sea Reading
[Recommended accommodation spots]
[Stay in Yunoura, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture] Enjoy Setouchi seafood at Seto Inland Sea
[Days 2-3] Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen (Imabari → Matsuyama approx. 35 mins)
Picture courtesy of Matsuyama City, Tourism and International Exchange Division, Industry and Economy Department
On the second day, we head to Matsuyama, where Dogo Onsen is located.
It takes about 35 minutes to get from Imabari, the end point of the Shimanami Kaido, to Matsuyama on the JR Yosan Line's "Limited Express Shiokaze." From Matsuyama, it's about a 25-minute journey to Dogo Onsen, after transferring to a local train.
Walking around Matsuyama
Picture courtesy of Matsuyama City, Tourism and International Exchange Division, Industry and Economy Department
Matsuyama Castle stands on the 132m high Katsuyama mountain in the center of Matsuyama city. The area around the castle, from Gintengai to Okaido, is now a lively spot packed with bars and restaurants.
Check out these popular ramen restaurants that are open until late at night!
[Reference article]
[Matsuyama City | Gintengai/Okaido Area] 3 Ramen Shops Open Until Late at Night
Enjoy Dogo Onsen Main Building and the hot spring town
Dogo Onsen, which is said to have a history of about 3,000 years, has many beautiful, retro hot spring inns and public baths. The public bath, Dogo Onsen Main Building, is said to have been one of the models for the bathhouse that appears in the popular animated film "Spirited Away," and is a must-see!
There are also many popular inns with hot springs in the surrounding area.
For more details, check out this article.
[Reference article]
[Recommended accommodation spots]
Yosan Line, head to Shimonada Station with a spectacular view
If you have time, why not also visit Shimonada Station, a popular scenic spot that is about an hour away from Matsuyama Station on the JR Yosan Line.
The station is popular for its spectacular location with the ocean right in front of the platform, and many people visit just to take photos.
For more information about Ehime's scenic spots, please see this article.
[Reference article]
[Days 3-4] To Ozu (Matsuyama → Ozu, approx. 35 mins)
About 35 minutes by JR Yosan Line express train from Matsuyama Station, Ozu, located in the south of Ehime Prefecture, once flourished as a castle town.
To preserve the vestiges of that past, buildings from those days have been preserved and are now used as inns, restaurants, shops, etc. Even just walking around the town will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time.
Stay at "NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town"
A particularly attractive attraction in Ozu is the NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town.
"NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town" is a "decentralized hotel" where the castle town itself is the hotel. There are 31 rooms in 26 buildings, including buildings that were originally the mansions of feudal lords and wealthy merchants, merchant houses selling sake and tea, and storehouses, so you can experience the charm of history in its entirety by staying here.
Furthermore, there are many attractions, such as gourmet food packed with local ingredients, historic townscapes, and spectacular sea of clouds.
[Reference article]
How do I get back to Tokyo from Ozu?
Picture courtesy of Matsuyama City, Tourism and International Exchange Division, Industry and Economy Department
Here is an introduction to how to get there if you are heading back to Tokyo from Ozu.
By plane: From Ozu to Matsuyama Airport
If you are returning to Tokyo from Ozu, it is common to fly from Matsuyama Airport to Haneda Airport or Narita Airport.
It is convenient to get to the airport by limousine bus. There are six airport limousine buses a day from JR Ozu Station. The fare is 1,800 yen for adults (no reservation required), and the journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Train: Ozu to Hiroshima
If you are heading back to Tokyo from Ozu via Hiroshima, head to Fukuyama Station, where the Shinkansen stops.
From Iyo-Ozu Station, take the JR Yosan Line to Imabari Station. From there, transfer to a bus to Fukuyama Station. The journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Enjoy an experience unique to Ehime
Ehime Prefecture has many attractions that can only be experienced here, such as the nature of the Seto Inland Sea and its historical and cultural heritage.
The JR Yosan Line, which runs along the coastline overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, is not only convenient for traveling within the prefecture, but is also known for its many spectacular views and nostalgic station buildings.
The journey by train will also be a unique memory.
Main image by Pixta
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