Best Hidden Autumn Leaves Spots and Activities in Shikoku: Local Picks from Ehime for a Peaceful Experience
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The Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture is recommended for those who want to enjoy Japanese autumn leaves and traditional townscapes in a quiet place with few tourists. If you have been to Japan many times, why not visit the hidden countryside of Ehime Prefecture?
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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.
Avoiding the Crowd and Enjoying the Autumn Foliage
In Japan, the "autumn foliage season" begins from mid-November to December, when the leaves of the trees change color to red and yellow. The defining feature of autumn foliage in Japan is the colorful colors of red, orange, and yellow. It's the best season to experience the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic .
If you have been to tourist destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, we recommend a trip to the countryside in Ehime Prefecture. To fully enjoy autumn in Japan, you need to enjoy "quietness." The Nanyo Region of Ehime Prefecture is an area that retains the traditional Japanese countryside scenery, so you can definitely enjoy a quiet and calm autumn trip here.
In this article, we will introduce ways to enjoy autumn in Japan in the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture.
Enjoy the Drive Along the Countryside
The Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture is a quiet and peaceful area, but public transportation is not sufficient. If you want to enjoy the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture, renting a car is definitely the safest option. Please read this article for information on how to rent a car in Japan.
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Table of Contents
- "Uchiko Town" Autumn in the Classic Old Town
- "Uchiko Town" Ehime's Best Spot Ryuo Park to Enjoy Autumn Leaves!
- "Uchiko Town" Stunning Red Colored Leaves Along the Valley in Oda Miyama Valley!
- "Uchiko Town" Experience the Traditional Wedding Outfit
- "Uchiko Town" Try Uchiko's Delicious Tarai Udon
- "Uchiko Town" Stay in a traditional storehouse!
- "Ozu City" Explore the Peaceful Castle Town
- "Ozu City" The Iconic Architecture and Nature in Garyu Sanso
- "Ozu City" Peaceful Temple Nyohoji Temple without Crowd
- "Ozu City" A Hidden Spot Inariyama Park for Autumn
- "Ozu City" Stay at NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town
- "Ozu City" Taste the Local Gourmet at the Robatayaki Restaurant
- "Matsuno Town" Untouched Nature in a Small Town
- "Matsuno Town" Beautiful Waterfalls and Red Colored Leaves in Nametoko Valley
- "Matsuno Town" Traditional Japanese Houses and Townscapes in Old Matsumaru Highway
- "Matsuno Town" A shrine that has been attracting worshippers since ancient times! Zao Shrine
- "Matsuno Town" Stay right next to Nametoko Valley! A lodge on the water's edge
"Uchiko Town" Autumn in the Classic Old Town
Uchiko Town is a small town with a population of about 15,000, but it is home to the streets of Yokaichi and Gokoku, lined with traditional Japanese houses. There, you will feel as if you have traveled back in time to Japan over 100 years ago. There are also several spots to see autumn leaves, so if you visit in the fall, you can fully enjoy both Japanese culture and the autumn leaves!
Uchiko Town is also about an hour's drive from Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, so if you're traveling by rental car, it's a town you should definitely visit!
"Uchiko Town" Ehime's Best Spot Ryuo Park to Enjoy Autumn Leaves!
Ryuo Park is one of the best spots to see autumn leaves in Uchiko Town. Ryuo Park is located on a hill overlooking Uchiko Town, and in November the leaves in the park turn red, allowing you to enjoy a variety of colors. There is also a large parking lot, so you can go there safely by rental car!
"Uchiko Town" Stunning Red Colored Leaves Along the Valley in Oda Miyama Valley!
Oda Miyama Valley is one of the best spots to see autumn leaves in Uchiko Town. It's a little far from the town and not that easy to access, but if you're traveling by rental car in the fall, this is a spot you definitely want to visit! The contrast between the beautiful autumn leaves and the valley is sure to be an unforgettable sight!
"Uchiko Town" Experience the Traditional Wedding Outfit
For those who like traditional Japanese culture, we recommend the kimono experience . In Uchiko Town, where traditional Japanese streetscapes remain, the experience of wearing a traditional Japanese wedding attire will be an unforgettable experience! A professional photographer who knows Uchiko Town well will capture a memorable moment. You can choose from 10 types of real kimono, so be sure to take your favorite photo in Uchiko.
"Uchiko Town" Try Uchiko's Delicious Tarai Udon
Of course, local food is something you can't miss when traveling. There are several local foods in Uchiko town, but the one I would like to recommend is Tarai Udon! You won't believe your eyes when you see udon noodles served in a traditional Japanese tub! There are about six restaurants in Uchiko that serve Tarai Udon, so be sure to find your favorite one!
"Uchiko Town" Stay in a traditional storehouse!
HOTEL Kokoro.Kura is the perfect place to stay in Uchiko Town! Built in a renovated traditional storehouse, this hotel only accommodates one group per day. You can enjoy a high-quality, private space! The interior has also been beautifully renovated, so you can enjoy the traditional architecture while still staying in a clean, comfortable room!
"Ozu City" Explore the Peaceful Castle Town
After Uchiko Town, let's go to Ozu City ! Ozu City has many spots to see autumn leaves, and you can enjoy a different atmosphere from Uchiko Town. Ozu City also has many shops and hotels that have been renovated from old houses, so we recommend you to enjoy shopping there too!
"Ozu City" The Iconic Architecture and Nature in Garyu Sanso
Garyu Sanso is the most famous spot to see autumn leaves in Ozu City. Garyu Sanso, which has a teahouse that seems to jut out from the cliff, is one of Ozu's leading tourist destinations and has also been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. In autumn, you can see the autumn leaves, and you can see a wonderful combination of the wonderful architecture, the autumn leaves, and the river flowing nearby.
"Ozu City" Peaceful Temple Nyohoji Temple without Crowd
Nyohoji Temple is one of the best spots in Ozu City to see autumn leaves, and is a temple with a very solemn atmosphere. The Buddhist temple hall, built in 1670, is designated as an Important Cultural Property by the national government, and you can feel the beauty of Japanese architecture there! There is a parking lot, so you can visit by car with peace of mind.
"Ozu City" A Hidden Spot Inariyama Park for Autumn
Ozu's Inariyama Park has long been known as a famous spot for viewing the autumn leaves of maples. It's a little far from the city of Ozu, but if you're traveling by rental car, there's a parking lot so you can get there without worry!
"Ozu City" Stay at NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town
If you're looking to stay in Ozu city, the NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town is the place to be. If you love Japanese autumn and culture, this is sure to be an unforgettable experience!
NIPPONIA HOTLE Ozu Castle Town is one of the largest decentralized hotels in Japan, and was created by renovating old houses in Ozu. With a villa and storehouse that were once used by the feudal lord of Ozu, and a historic mansion at the foot of Ozu Castle, this is sure to be a unique stay.
"Ozu City" Taste the Local Gourmet at the Robatayaki Restaurant
If you come to the castle town of Ozu, you can't go wrong with Aburaya ! Designed to resemble an inn that was open about 150 years ago, Aburaya is a robatayaki restaurant that deliciously grills seafood and vegetables. Among its dishes, Tonkuri Mabushi is a local food made with pork and chestnuts from Ozu! Sweetly simmered chestnuts and pork are placed on top of white rice, and at the end, a special dashi broth is added to enjoy a change of flavor!
"Matsuno Town" Untouched Nature in a Small Town
Matsuno Town is a little far from Ozu City, but it is a great place to experience autumn in the Japanese countryside. Matsuno Town has a population of about 3,500 people, and 84% of the town's land is forest. It is an area filled with untouched nature.
"Matsuno Town" Beautiful Waterfalls and Red Colored Leaves in Nametoko Valley
Nametoko Valley in Matsuno Town is one of the best spots to see autumn leaves in Ehime Prefecture. You'll have to drive a little in a rental car, but it's definitely worth a visit. Nametoko Valley is a large valley that stretches 12km from the source, and is characterized by a riverbed that has been smoothly smoothed by the erosion of the water flow. Yukiwa Falls, which flows down the slope of a huge monolith, is also designated as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan!
"Matsuno Town" Traditional Japanese Houses and Townscapes in Old Matsumaru Highway
Matsuno Town once flourished as the trading center between Ehime and Kochi. You can feel the deep history of Japan on the old Matsumaru Kaido road, where houses and shops still remain from the past!
"Matsuno Town" A shrine that has been attracting worshippers since ancient times! Zao Shrine
The date of construction of Zao Shrine in Matsuno Town is unknown, but it is a shrine that has been treasured in this area since ancient times. In particular, the two giant yew trees in the shrine grounds are designated as natural monuments of Ehime Prefecture. These yew trees have attracted people's faith since ancient times, and you can feel a sacred atmosphere there.
"Matsuno Town" Stay right next to Nametoko Valley! A lodge on the water's edge
If you visit Nametoko Valley, you can't go wrong staying at the lodge on the water's edge. Located right next to the valley, this lodge is a three-story building with 10 Western-style rooms, a pizzeria, and an open-ceiling lobby lounge. From each room you can feel the grandeur of Matsuno Town's nature, and enjoy Japan's great outdoors with all five senses.
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.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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