Discover the hidden charms of Japan on a trip to the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture!
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The Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy Japan without rushing. Untouched nature, secluded culture and towns, and more. In this article, we'll introduce a recommended plan for enjoying the best of Japan at a leisurely pace. Please use it as a reference.
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Table of Contents
- Enjoy a leisurely trip in the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture
- Renting a car is recommended in the Nanyo region!
- Days 1-3: Enjoying traditional Japanese streets in Uchiko Town
- Days 4-6: Enjoy Japanese castles and gardens in Ozu City
- Days 7-9: Enjoy the traditional Japanese scenery in Seiyo City
- Days 10-12: Enjoy delicious fish and the beautiful sea in Ainan Town
- Day 13 and onwards
Enjoy a leisurely trip in the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture
The Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy Japan without rushing.
Experience the making of washi paper, which has long been known in Japan as a high-quality paper, hotels converted from historic old houses, and activities on untouched rivers and in the sea.
This is the perfect area for those who want to travel with plenty of time to explore!
Please use this as a reference when you come to Japan!
Renting a car is recommended in the Nanyo region!
For this one-week plan, we recommend renting a car.
Please refer to this article for information on how to rent a car in Japan.
Days 1-3: Enjoying traditional Japanese streets in Uchiko Town
We recommend that you start your trip in Uchiko Town.
In Uchiko Town, you will find the streets of Yokaichi and Gokoku, lined with traditional Japanese houses, making you feel as if you have traveled back in time to Japan over 100 years ago.
Here are three recommended experiences to enjoy in Uchiko Town!
Historical townscape and woodland
Uchiko Town flourished around 100 to 200 years ago through the production of wood wax.
Traces of that time remain today, with traditional Japanese townhouses and shops lining the 600m street.
If you go a little further from the center, you will find traditional Japanese scenery such as rice terraces and watermills.
To fully enjoy these areas, we recommend renting an E-BIKE and touring around! You can enjoy the scenery that is truly "Japanese Satoyama."
Tenjin Paper Factory Papermaking Experience
Uchiko is one of Japan's leading producers of washi paper.
Uchiko's handmade washi paper is made with expert craftsmanship and is renowned for being extremely soft, thin, strong, and even.
Even today, it is loved by calligraphers all over Japan as high-quality washi paper.
At the Tenjin Paper Factory in Uchiko, you can take a tour of the traditional Japanese paper-making factory and experience papermaking.
The craftsmen will kindly give you instruction, so even beginners can easily make washi paper!
Gilding Experience
In recent years, a technique that combines the aforementioned washi paper with gilding , a traditional Western technique, has been gaining attention. Gilding made in Uchiko is made by attaching metal foil to washi paper made in Uchiko, and is characterized by its unique coloring. We sell postcards, posters, and even accessories made with gilding. In addition, in the gilding experience, you can learn about the technique of metal foil and make your own original postcards.
Authentic kimono experience
We also recommend trying on a traditional Japanese wedding attire in Uchiko town, where traditional Japanese streetscapes remain.
A professional photographer who knows Uchiko Town well will capture memorable moments.
You can choose from 10 different types of real kimono, so be sure to pick your favorite one and have it photographed at Uchiko.
Days 4-6: Enjoy Japanese castles and gardens in Ozu City
Ozu City is a city located next to Uchiko Town.
This town also features streets that give a sense of Japanese history, but its background is different from Uchiko's.
Until a few years ago, the rapid increase in vacant houses was a major problem in Ozu.
So in 2017, local young people took the lead in cleaning and repairing the vacant houses, and since then, the entire town has been working hard to revitalize Ozu.
Today, hotels and shops have been opened in these renovated old houses, and the area is slowly regaining its vitality.
Here are some recommended spots and experiences to enjoy Ozu!
Walking around Ozu castle town
Ozu city has many tourist spots where you can enjoy the beauty of Japanese architecture, such as Ozu Castle and Garyu Sanso.
Ozu Castle was demolished in 1888, but was completely restored in 2004 using wood.
This is rare even in Japan, and there are very few castles that have been restored using wood.
Once inside Ozu Castle, you can enjoy the impressive wooden structure.
One of the ways to enjoy the restored wooden castle tower is to see the view that the lord saw when the castle was built!
Garyu Sanso is a tourist spot in Ozu that was built as a villa by an Ozu trader.
From the materials to the techniques used, it is a masterpiece that embodies the beauty of Japanese architecture.
In particular, "Furoan," which was built as a teahouse, is built to jut out over the river, and the building itself is designed to resemble a boat.
Please enjoy the beauty of Japanese architecture!
Cormorant fishing and boat tours
A river called the Hijikawa flows through Ozu, and people have lived alongside the river.
In Ozu, culture continues to be woven together with the Hijikawa River.
In particular, "Ozu cormorant fishing," in which fish are caught by skillfully manipulating cormorants, is counted among the three major cormorant fishing styles in Japan and remains a popular activity today.
In addition, in the summer, the "Ozu Castle Town Boat Tour" is now held, where you can take a boat tour of the Hijikawa River.
It takes about an hour to tour around Ozu Castle and the base of Garyu Sanso, where you can spend some relaxing time.
You can easily join in by registering on the day, so please come and experience it!
NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu - Stay in an old house in the castle town
For those looking for a place to stay, we recommend NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Jokamachi !
Here you can stay overnight in a renovated old house.
This is sure to be a one-of-a-kind lodging experience, with accommodations including the villa of a feudal lord of Ozu, a building converted from a storehouse, and a historic mansion at the foot of Ozu Castle.
There are also many activities available exclusively to guests staying at NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town.
If you are in the area, be sure to try out some of our activities, such as private morning yoga at the shrine or a guided walking tour of the town!
Days 7-9: Enjoy the traditional Japanese scenery in Seiyo City
From the 7th day, let's head to Seiyo City, where you can relax even more!
Seiyo City has many places where traditional Japanese scenery remains, making it a recommended place to enjoy a relaxing time.
Among them, we will introduce some particularly relaxing spots and experiences.
Kokemushiro Moss Garden
Moss Mat is a gallery cafe that beautifully displays traditional Japanese moss.
The well-maintained moss and trees grow quietly and lushly.
Please be careful not to step on the moss as it will gradually come off if stepped on.
When you visit, please put the 100 yen entrance fee into the fee box.
Please enjoy this space where time seems to flow slowly.
Karihama terraced fields
In the Karihama area, the stone slopes are filled with rape blossoms in the spring and mandarin oranges in the fall, making it one of Seiyo city's most scenic spots.
You can see a beautiful view of the contrast between the white limestone, blue sea, blue sky, and greenery.
It is also said that the mandarin oranges in this region are delicious because the sunlight reflects off the white limestone, illuminating the oranges.
You can also take a guided tour to learn about the characteristics of Karihama's terraced fields and experience mandarin orange picking!
Sea Kayaking
How about sea kayaking in the beautiful waters of Akehama?
Sea kayaks are easy to operate and do not sink, so they can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from adults to children.
In addition, the sea here is one of the most beautiful in Japan, so you'll feel like you're walking on the ocean!
Fishing
Akehama is known as one of the best fishing spots in Japan.
At Akehama Seaside Sun Park , we have added a fence to the fishing pier so that even children can fish safely.
We also rent fishing equipment, so you can enjoy fishing without any preparation!
Octopus fishing experience
In Akehama-cho, Seiyo City, you can enjoy a village facing the sea that is reminiscent of the original Japanese landscape.
It is also the leading mandarin orange producing region in Japan, and the terraced fields where mandarin oranges grow are a spectacular sight.
The experience we recommend here is octopus fishing .
The experience of boarding a local fishing boat and catching octopus in a sunken cage is sure to be an unforgettable memory!
Cycling
In Seiyo City, you can rent e-bikes at various locations.
In particular, Seiyo City has both the sea and the mountains, as well as townscapes that exude history, making it the perfect place to enjoy cycling.
Please refer here for bicycle rentals available in Seiyo City.
Akehameru
Akehamare Seaside Park is a tourist exchange hub for Seiyo City, and is equipped with many accommodation facilities, including hot springs, campsites, and restaurants.
You can also rent sea kayaking and fishing equipment here, so you can have fun all day long!
Please check the official website for further information.
Days 10-12: Enjoy delicious fish and the beautiful sea in Ainan Town
Ainan Town is located in the southernmost part of Ehime Prefecture.
There are plenty of sights that can only be seen here, such as the cultural landscape of Sotodomari and Ishigaki Village, and Komo Cape , with its cliffs over 100 meters high and covered in lush greenery!
Ainan Town also offers a wide range of sea activities.
The sea around Ainan Town is designated as a Japanese national park, has exceptional transparency, and is home to many colorful corals and tropical fish.
You can enjoy some of Japan's best marine activities, including diving and underwater walking (no license required).
Cape Koumo
Cape Koumo, located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, is a scenic spot with cliffs over 100 meters high.
This cape towers over the sea, allowing you to experience the grandeur of nature more than ever before.
You can also enjoy wild chrysanthemums from early to mid-November!
Ishigaki Village
In Ishigaki no Sato , houses are built with piled up stone walls to protect them from typhoons and seasonal winds.
The view is truly breathtaking.
Its beauty is widely known throughout Japan, and it has become a major scenic spot with a leading stone wall culture.
Underwater Walk
During the summer, you can enjoy an underwater walk in Ainan Town.
No license is required, so even those who are not good at swimming can enjoy it.
Experience the extraordinary with an underwater walk, one of the few in Japan!
Fresh seafood delicacies
Ainan Town is also rich in delicious gourmet food!
I especially recommend bonito .
In Ainan, bonito that is eaten on the same day it is caught is called "biyabiya katsuo" and is so fresh that it is elastic and difficult to cut with a knife.
There are many other delicious gourmet foods in Ainan Town!
Please also refer to this article when you go.
Day 13 and onwards
This concludes our trip in the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture, but from the 13th day onwards, we recommend heading from Ainan Town to Kochi Prefecture!
Kochi Prefecture also has many places where you can enjoy a relaxing time.
Please enjoy a relaxed and unhurried trip!
Written by
Ehime
The Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture is recommended for those who want to travel Japan at a leisurely pace. It is a region where nature, such as the sea, mountains, and rivers, coexists with old townscapes and historical heritage. There are also plenty of activities that make use of nature, and you can enjoy long-term stays of a week or more. We hope you enjoy a leisurely trip to the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture.
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