[Ehime] Cycling route to Ainan Town's hidden hot spring, Yamade Ikoi no Sato Onsen

Ainan Town is a small town with a population of about 18,000 located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku. There is no train service, and it takes about two and a half hours to get there from the nearest Matsuyama Airport, making it one of the farthest towns from Japan's capital, Tokyo. However, Ainan Town has many tourist spots that even Japanese people don't know about.

In this article, we will introduce a model cycling course for touring Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Onsen, a little-known hidden hot spring in Ainan Town, and its surrounding area.

• Table of Contents
• Enjoy the scenic cycling scenery of Ainan Town | Where can I rent a bicycle?
• Japan's traffic rules to know before you leave
• Cycling to Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Hot Springs
• Let's go to Ainan Town's hidden hot spring, Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Onsen, by e-bike!

Enjoy the scenic cycling scenery of Ainan Town | Where can I rent a bicycle?

Bicycles can be rented from the Ainan Town Tourism Association located in Minami-Rek Misao Park. E-bikes are recommended for long rides or when climbing steep hills.

Follow the rules and enjoy safe and fun cycling!

Operating hours: 9:00-17:00
Regular bicycles are 500 yen, electrically assisted bicycles are 1,000 yen, and E-BIKEs are 1,000 yen for 4 hours and 2,000 yen for 8 hours.

Ainan Town Tourism Association Official Website

Japan's traffic rules to know before you leave

To enjoy cycling safely and with peace of mind, it is important to follow traffic rules. Below are some basic rules.

1. Principles and exceptions for riding on the road

The general rule is to ride on the road : keep to the left. On roads where there is a distinction between the sidewalk and the road, ride on the left edge of the road.

2. Rules at intersections

Obey traffic lights and stop signs : At intersections with traffic lights, obey the traffic lights.

3. Obligation to Drive Safely

Nighttime Lights : Headlights and taillights (or reflectors) must be on at night.

No drinking and driving : You must not drive while under the influence of alcohol.

4. Prohibited matters

Prohibition of riding with two people (riding beyond the capacity) : As a general rule, riding with two people is prohibited. Also, two or more vehicles must not be driven side by side. Violation of the safe driving obligation : Driving while holding an umbrella, using a mobile phone, or using headphones or other devices that prevent you from hearing surrounding sounds is prohibited.

Cycling to Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Hot Springs

9:00 Departure from Ainan Town Tourism Association

So let's take a bicycle trip around this town surrounded by blue seas and lush mountains.

9:30 Arrive at Green Fresh Market

Leaving the Ainan Town Tourist Association as the starting point, the trail continues along the peaceful Sozu River, where the chirping of birds, the murmuring of the river, and the seasonal flowers will help you forget the fatigue of cycling.

The first place you should stop by is the "Midori Shinsenichi" market! Local farmers and fishermen bring in fresh vegetables picked that morning, seasonal citrus fruits (especially Ainan Gold), freshly caught seafood, and there is also a wide selection of homemade prepared foods and processed foods.
The best time to visit is in the morning, when you can enjoy seasonal mountain and sea produce, the peace of mind of seeing the faces of the producers, and the concentrated essence of Ainan Town, making this a direct sales store that is truly packed with delicious food.

The surrounding quiet rural scenery is impressive, and there are toilets, making it an ideal place to take a break during your cycling trip.

10:30 Arrive at Yamaide Rice Terraces

Continuing on, you will see the Yamaide Rice Terraces. The terraced rice fields are beautiful and could be called the original landscape of Japan, and the beauty of the fields changes with the seasons. The flooded rice paddies in spring, the lush green rice in summer, and the golden color of autumn will leave an impression no matter what season you visit.

11:00 Arrive at Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Onsen

We have arrived at our destination, Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Onsen.
At Yamaide Onsen, the natural hot spring waters gently envelop your body after a hard day's running, refreshing both body and mind. Surrounded by the greenery of the mountains and the clear waters of the Sozu River, Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Onsen has a hypotonic, weakly alkaline cold mineral spring that is effective in relieving fatigue and promoting health.

There is also a campground and log cabins surrounded by adjacent cedar groves, so the area is bustling with campers and families every summer vacation season. A soak in the hot springs after a ride through nature is truly exceptional.

On Saturday afternoons, we have a buffet of local cuisine made with plenty of local ingredients. You can eat your fill of local cuisine and be satisfied in both body and soul.

12:30 Arrive at Kanjizaiji Temple (41st temple of the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku)

We returned to town from Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Onsen.
Kanjizaiji Temple, the 41st temple of the 88 Shikoku Pilgrimage, is a famous Shingon Buddhist temple in Ainan Town, Ehime Prefecture, known as the southernmost temple in Shikoku. It is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai, and its mountain name is Mount Inari. Upon entering the temple grounds, the tropical air and peaceful mountain village atmosphere spreads, gently enveloping the hearts of pilgrims.

Kanjizaiji Temple is also famous as a "sacred place for healing illnesses," and many votive plaques and votive plaques can be seen within the temple grounds. It is a place of faith not only for pilgrims but also for local people, and it is clear that it is a temple with deep roots in the community. Stopping by to pray will calm your mind.

Another great attraction is that cycling becomes more meaningful when you visit the shrine and pray for a safe and healthy journey.

13:30 Walk around the city

Before returning to the tourist information center, we took a little detour. One of the attractions of cycling is the opportunity to discover new things while taking detours.
Along the national highway, there are many rest spots where you can enjoy gourmet food, such as Misho MIC Roadside Station, which sells local specialties, and Hananoki Coffee House, where you can enjoy fragrant, freshly brewed coffee and meat spaghetti.

15:00 Arrive at Ainan Town Tourism Association

The trip ends with a leisurely stroll along the coast at dusk. The sky and sea are dyed orange, and the light sparkling between the waves creates a mystical sway. The beauty of this scene makes you want to come back again.

Let's go to Ainan Town's hidden hot spring, Yamaide Ikoi no Sato Onsen, by e-bike!

The course introduced this time is a course where you can learn about and enjoy Ainan Town's hidden hot springs, unspoiled scenery that you won't find in the city, and Japanese faith. If you want to see Japan's unspoiled scenery, be healed by Japan's nature, or visit places that even Japanese people don't know about, then be sure to enjoy cycling in Ainan Town!

Learn more about Ainan Town