Deep solo travel in Japan! Enjoy the culture and nature of the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture!

The Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture is perfect for solo travelers!

For those who are tired of traveling to big cities in Japan, the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture is sure to be a wonderful place to spend your days. Southern Ehime Escapes offers travel plans for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend their days relaxing.

Southern Ehime Escapes has exactly the scenery you're looking for, from tranquil rural areas to beautiful oceans and rice fields spreading across the mountains.

Southern Ehime Escapes

• Table of Contents
• [Gateway to Southern Ehime (Nanyo)] Yawatahama City
• [One of Japan's leading rice producing areas] Seiyo City
• [A city full of history and culture] Uwajima City
• [Town where demons live] Onihoku Town
• [Wild nature as far as the eye can see] Matsuno Town
• After your trip to Southern Ehime (Nanyo), head to Kochi Prefecture!

[Gateway to Southern Ehime (Nanyo)] Yawatahama City

Yawatahama Minato

Let's start this journey from Yawatahama Minato !

If you come to Ehime Prefecture by boat from Oita Prefecture , you will arrive at the Yawatahama Ferry Terminal, and Yawatahama Minatto will be right next to it. Yawatahama Minatto is the perfect place to start your trip, with products that make use of local ingredients and travel information!

Yawatahama is also famous as one of Japan's leading mandarin orange producing areas, and from Yawatahama Minato you can see the terraced mandarin orange fields towering along the coast. There are so many mandarin orange juices on offer in the store that it's hard to choose, so be sure to try them all.

Yawatahama Minato

To Seiyo City by train

Once your trip to Yawatahama is over, head to Seiyo City by train. Take the train bound for Uwajima from JR Yawatahama Station and get off at Unomachi Station!

From Yawatahama Station to Unomachi Station

[One of Japan's leading rice producing areas] Seiyo City

The scenery from the train window is outstanding!

The scenery from the train window on the train from Yawatahama Station to Unomachi is exceptionally beautiful! The rice fields stretching out as far as the eye can see are the very image of the Japanese countryside. The rural scenery of Seiyo City in particular is sure to be unforgettable! And in the rural scenery, there is a mammoth! Of course, it is not real. Seiyo City is a rice producing area, so this mammoth is also made of straw.

Streets of Unomachi

Unomachi in Seiyo City is a historic town lined with houses from around 1860 to 1940. We recommend visiting this town to enjoy the transition of Japanese history as Western culture is mixed into traditional Japanese houses! There are also shops and restaurants that use historical architecture, so you can have lunch there too!

Streets of Unomachi

797-0015 223 Uwamachi 3-chome, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture

This street is lined with townhouses from the end of the Edo period to the early Showa period. During the feudal period, it flourished as a...

Unomachi Bar OTO Unomachi Bar OTO is a bar located in Unomachi, Seiyo City, that was renovated from a traditional house that was built over 100 years ago. They serve lunch and dinner using ingredients from Seiyo City, so you can enjoy the food and traditional culture of Seiyo City at the same time! There are also counter seats, so it is easy for solo travelers to enter, and the friendly owner will welcome you!

From Seiyo City, take the JR line to Uwajima City.

After your trip to Seiyo City, head to Uwajima City by JR. From Seiyo City , take the train bound for Uwajima.

From Unomachi Station to Uwajima Station

[A city full of history and culture] Uwajima City

Uwajima City is the central city of the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture, and was once a castle town. There are many places to visit in the city, so you can do sightseeing on foot. Here are some must-see spots in Uwajima City!

Kisaiya Square

If you come to Uwajima, the first place to go is Kisaiya Square ! At Kisaiya Square, you can taste a variety of Uwajima agricultural products such as mandarin oranges, fresh seafood, the local specialty "Jakoten," and the local dish "Uwajima Taimeshi." There are also facilities such as Ushi-oni Hall (where Uwajima's traditional festival is held) and Shinju Hall, so you can use it as a base for sightseeing!

Uwajima Castle

Uwajima Castle is the symbol of Uwajima and one of the few remaining castles in Japan. Built by the lord Todo Takatora, an expert castle builder, Uwajima Castle is famous for being impregnable, with a structure that makes the pentagonal castle look like a square. It also makes use of nature, with plenty to see, including moss-covered stairs and stone walls that blend in with the natural surroundings!
Photo courtesy of Uwajima Tourism and Products Association

Uwajima Castle

Marunouchi, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture 798-0060

Tenshaen

Tenshaen Garden is also one of the famous spots in Uwajima, and was built by the feudal lord of Uwajima as a place of retirement. The garden is covered with moss and has flowers blooming throughout the seasons, captivating the eyes of all who see it!

Photo courtesy of Uwajima Tourism and Products Association

Warei Shrine

Warei Shrine is a shrine that enshrines Yamaga Seibei, a former vassal of a feudal lord, as the god of industry. Yamaga Seibei was murdered in 1620, but after that, those involved in the incident met with unfortunate deaths one after another, and people feared that they were Yamaga Seibei's vengeful spirit. Warei Shrine was founded when his spirit was enshrined in this place. Warei Shrine is one of the largest shrines in Shikoku, and visitors are greeted by its majestic torii gates and main building.

Photo courtesy of Uwajima Tourism and Products Association

Warei Shrine

798-0012 1451 Wareicho, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture

This shrine commemorates Yanbe Sebei, a noble vassal who was killed while working hard to establish the domain government. Warei faith is wo...

From Uwajima City, take the JR line to Onihoku Town!

Once you've finished your trip in Uwajima City, head to Kihoku Town on the JR Yodo Line. From Uwajima City , take the train bound for Uwajima.

From Uwajima Station to Kihoku Town

[Town where demons live] Onihoku Town

Take the local train Yodo Line to the town where demons live!

To get to Kihoku-cho, you need to transfer to the Yodo Line in Uwajima City. The Yodo Line is a non-stop train that runs between Uwajima City in Ehime Prefecture and Shimanto Town in Kochi Prefecture, and is the perfect train for a quiet trip in Japan. With trains that only have one car and trains that are modeled after the Japanese Shinkansen, this is a train that truly gives you a local Japanese feel!

Kihoku Town is a town of demons

The first town you'll visit on the Yodo Line is Onihoku-cho . The kanji for Onihoku-cho includes the character for "demon." As the name suggests, Onihoku-cho is filled with demon monuments. Going on a "demon tour" in Onihoku-cho is sure to be an experience you can only have here in Japan!

For bicycle rentals, go to WARMTH!

In Onihoku Town, you can rent bicycles at a shop called WARMTH ! Rent an electric assist bicycle for 500 yen a day and go on a demon-hunting trip in Onihoku Town!

warmth

Stay at Guesthouse Nishimura Cycle!

Although the store name has "cycle" in it, Nishimura Cycle is a guesthouse located in Kihoku-cho. It is just the right size for a single person to stay, and the facilities are clean, so you can feel as comfortable as if you were at home. Each room is equipped with a bathroom, air conditioning, and a TV, so you can fully relax and unwind after your trip!

Guesthouse Nishimura Cycle

Take the Yodo Line to Matsuno Town!

After Kihoku-cho, let's head to Matsumaru Station in Matsuno-cho on the Yodo Line! Matsuno-cho is the smallest municipality in Ehime Prefecture and is known as the "Land of Forests." If you've come to Ehime in search of Japan's abundant nature, this is sure to be the perfect travel destination!

From Kihoku Town to Matsuno Town

[Wild nature as far as the eye can see] Matsuno Town

Cycling is great in Matsuno Town!

Matsuno Town is surrounded by mountains, so cycling is the best way to experience nature. Although the mountain roads are a bit steep, cycling here is the best way to travel the countryside of Japan. In Matsuno Town, you can rent a bicycle at Niji no Mori Park .

Matsuno Town Rainbow Forest Park

Kawagomori Castle

Although Kawagomori Castle does not have a castle tower, it is surrounded by three rivers and is the remains of a castle built in the late 1500s. It is a popular hill for hiking. The highlight is the view from the top! Matsuno Town is one of the most local areas in Ehime, where you can enjoy tranquil scenery.

Poppo Onsen in the Forest Country

Nametoko Valley

The most famous spot in Matsuno Town is Nametoko Valley . This place, designated as a national park, is characterized by its wide rock faces. The Yukiwa waterfall that flows down a huge monolith is a sight that can only be seen here in Japan. There are also many other unique spots in Nametoko Valley. Please come and enjoy the healing power of the forests and waters of Matsuno Town.

Cafe Restaurant Tommy

Cafe Restaurant Tommy is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy Matsuno Town's famous game dishes. There are many dishes worthy of eating in Matsuno Town, such as venison beef stew and croquettes, which are full of the owner's special attention to detail! It's located in front of the station, so it's easy to get to! It's a place you can't miss if you come to Matsuno Town!

After your trip to Southern Ehime (Nanyo), head to Kochi Prefecture!

The Yodo Line will take you to Shimanto Town in Kochi. We recommend Kochi, with its delicious food, beautiful scenery, and friendly people, as your next destination on your trip to Japan. Be sure to enjoy your trip to the Japanese countryside!