Discover Ehime
- Welcome to Ehime
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Ehime Prefecture is located in the northwestern part of Shikoku, the forth largest island of Japan. The climate is warm and mild, and it is rich in nature. In Chinese characters, "Ehime" means "pretty lady".
Seto Inland Sea, or Aegean Sea in Japan, and Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest mountain in western Japan, give Ehime countless gifts in every season. People have woven historical and cultural fabric in such nature’s bounty and developed the tradition of "hospitality" to travelers. Indulge yourself in kindhearted Ehime.
Ehime Prefecture in figures
- Establishment: February 20, 1873
- Area: 5,677km2
- Population: approx. 1.43 mill.
- Prefectural capital: Matsuyama* (population: approx. 510,000) * largest city in Shikoku
- International flights: Regular services from Matsuyama to Seoul (South Korea) and to Shanghai (China).
Experience the best of Ehime!
Dogo Onsen
Dogo Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Japan is proud of its 3,000-year history. The castle style "main building", located in the center of spa resort, was designated as a national important cultural property. It was also given the three stars in 2009 edition of the Michelin Guide.
Matsuyama Castle
The castle was originally built on the 132-meter-high hilltop in 1627. The donjon which was re-built in 1854 is one of the 12 surviving ones in Japan. From the castle top, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Matsuyama and even beyond the Inland Sea when the weather is clear.
Uchiko
Uchiko was thrived as the center of traditional wax and paper-making. The antique streetscape of the time was designated as a listed area of important traditional architectural structures. The people are also active for protecting the farming landscape. Home-stay at farmhouses is also popular.
Mt. Ishizuchi
Mt. Ishizuchi, with a height of 1,982 meters, is the highest mountain in western Japan. People enjoy climbing mountain in spring, summer and autumn, and skiing in winter.
Movie Trail
Ehime's various venues rich in nature, history and culture give great properties to the films such as "Spirited Away" by Hayao Miyazaki and TVdramas such as "Tokyo Love Story".
Seto Inland Sea
Seto Inland Sea, called Aegean Sea in Japan, was designated the nation's first national park for its breathtaking beauty. "Shimanami Sea Route" stretches 60 km to connect Ehime and Hiroshima.
Citrus fruits
Ehime is the top producer of mandarin oranges, and it is particularly so in southern area where the weather is warm with many sunny days. Fresh juice, jelly and sweets are the best for the gifts.
Towel
Imabari is the center of textile, towel in particular. "Imabari Towel" has been established its brand to export to the world.
Fish, Pearls
The swift currents of the Inland Sea make the fish lean and delicious. At the Uwa Sea in the west of the prefecture, rias coast, or the deeply-indented coastline is the ideal pools for pearls and sea-bream culture, which Ehime is boasting their largest productions.
