Sightseeing Routes
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Route5
(The Industrial Heritage Route)
An
up-close look at Ehime's industrial heritage (The Industrial Heritage Route)
Mine Topia Besshi - Towel Museum ASAKURA - Iyo Sakurai Lacquerware Center
(Please note that specific closure dates for the New Years period are not included on this page.)
Features of this route
The Eastern region of Ehime Prefecture has long been home to many flourishing industries. Visitors can learn of and observe the achievements, development and technology of both industries of the past and today's foremost industries. A highlight of the tour is a visit to an historical copper mine, where visitors can try their hand at gold-panning. October is the annual festival season across the region and visitors can experience the excitement and spectacle of many of these uniquely Japanese events.
From Matsuyama
Access: Train: take the JR Yosan-Line Limited Express from
JR Matsuyama Station
to JR Niihama Station. (70 minutes; fare: 2,900yen)
Bus: from JR Niihama Station take a Setouchi bus to Mine Topia
(Approximately 20 minutes, 370yen).
Taxi: Alternatively, take a 10-minute taxi ride from the Station to Mine
Topia.
(fare: Approximately 2,400yen)
Mine Topia Besshi
Mine Topia is a theme park showcasing the Besshi mine, a former copper mine that contributed much to the modernization of Japan. Model displays portray the heyday of the mining industry here at Besshi, and a ride along the mine's scenic railway is something not to be missed. Most popular with visitors is panning sand in search of real gold, and Mine Topia also has a hot spring for guests to enjoy.
Location: 707-3 Tatsukawa-cho, Niihama-city
Open: 9:00 am-6:00 pm daily all year
Admission: entry to the park is free
Train rides: 1,200yen Gold-panning: 500yen (9:30 am-4:00 pm daily) *panning winter schedule: from Dec. to Mar. Saturdays, Sunday and public holidays only Hot spring: open 10:00 am-10:00 pm daily (last entry 9:00 pm) (800yen)
Time required: Approximately 1.5 hours
Access: Take the JR Yosan-Line Limited Express
from JR Niihama Station to JR Nyugawa Station
(20 minutes, Approximately 750yen). Take a taxi from JR Nyugawa Station
(20 minutes, Approximately 2,500yen)
Towel Museum ASAKURA
Visit this unique museum (perhaps unlike any other in the world) devoted entirely to towels! Displays feature everything from the basics of towel production to fine finished products, and make for a fascinating and informative visit. Visitors can purchase and print their own original towel designs. The museum also has a restaurant, cafeĢ and souvenir shop.
Location: Ko 2930, Asakura-kami, Imabari-city
Open: 9:30 am-6:00 pm (the gallery closes at 5:30 during the winter months from November to March)
Restaurant: (Lunch) 11:00 am-3:30 pm; (Dinner) 5:00 pm-9:30 pm
Holidays: the museum is closed on the second Tuesday of the month from January to March
Admission: general entrance is free however entry to the 4th and 5th floor galleries costs 800yen
Time required: Approximately 1 hour
Access: Taxi: from Towel Museum ASAKURA (Approximately 10 minutes; fare: 1,280yen)
Iyo Sakurai Lacquerware Center
The Sakurai Lacquerware Center in Imabari has crafted fine traditional lacquer-ware for over 200 years. Guests can view lacquerware being made, and also try their hand at decorating items with gold or silver lacquers. There is also a lacquerware sales corner.
Location: Ko 340-1 Nagasawa, Imabari-city
Open: 9:00 am-6:00 pm (closed on Tuesdays and days following public holidays)
Admission: is free for viewing the workshop (time required: Approximately 30 minutes)
Experiential lacquer painting: ´2,000 per person (time required: Approximately 3 hours)
Nibukawa
Hot Spring
With
substantial accommodations equaling that of Dogo Hot Spring, the spring
water of Nibukawa is particularly well known for its skin softening and
beautifying properties. Day visitors are welcome to bathe at the Nibukawa
Seseragi Koryukan in Imabari (10:30 am-9:00 pm; last entry 8:30 pm)
(Please note: the Seseragi Koryukan is closed on the second and fourth Monday of each month)
Admission: 400yen
Location: Nibukawa, Tamagawa-cho, Imabari-city
Time required: Approximately 30 minutes
Bus: Take the Setouchi Bus bound for Nibukawa Onsen or Mikonomori from JR Imabari Station (28 minutes; fare: 570yen).
The Seseragi Koryukan is just a short walk from the Nibukawa Seseragi Bus Stop.
Ehime
Prefectural Science Museum
This
is a large scale museum featuring science and technology related to increasing
our understanding of the universe, and the earth's natural environment.
The museum features a large array of fascinating displays and experiential
models, and it boasts a 30m large-scale planetarium, where a breathtaking
view of the star-filled night sky can be observed.
Location: 2133-2 Ojo-in, Niihama-city
Open: 9:00 am-5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm) Closed Mondays (subject to change)
Admission: 500yen (Please note that admission fee may vary for some special exhibitions)
Time required: Approximately 2 hours
Bus: From JR Niihama Station, take a Setouchi Bus bound for Saijo (alternatively, from JR Saijo, take the Niihama bound bus) (20 minutes; fare: 420yen) and get off at the Sogo-kagaku Hakubutsukan Stop.
Taxi: From JR Niihama or JR Iyo Saijo Stations (15 minutes; fare: Approximately 2,000yen)
Asahi
Beer Brewery, Shikoku
Enjoy
beer sampling and a walk through the production facilities of one of
Japan's leading brewers, Asahi. Following the tour enjoy delicious beer
and a smorgasbord menu available at the Asahi Beer Garden, situated next
to the brewery. Enjoy all you can eat and drink! (time limit: 2 hours)
*Advance bookings are necessary
Location: 2-6 Hiuchi, Saijo-city
Brewery tours: 9:30 am-3:00 pm
Beer Garden: 11:00 am-9:00 pm (last order 8:30 pm)
Open all year, except for some specified dates over the New Years season
Admission: entry to view the brewery (time required: Approximately 40 minutes) is free(The entry charge for the Beer Garden is separate)
Taxi: 12 minutes from JR Iyo Saijo Station (fare: Approximately 1,120yen)
Niihama
Taiko (Drum-Float) Festival
Watch
as an enormous 2.5 ton traditional taiko-drum carried on a huge float
borne by a team of around 150 men, is taken through the town's streets.
Enjoy the energetic festival atmosphere, take in breathtaking performances
by numerous Taiko groups, and watch a variety of powerful festival competitions.
This exciting festival is well worth seeing. Festival dates: the Niihama
Taiko festival is held annually between the 16th and18th of October
Saijo
Festival
Saijo
festival is a colorful spectacle featuring a parade of danjiri floats,
mikoshi(portable shrines) and taiko drum-floats through the city streets.
The highlight of the festival is the final night, when over 80 danjiri
floats, adorned with paper lanterns assemble together to create a uniquely
beautiful, and mystical atmosphere. Festival dates: Held on and around
the Taiiku-no-hi holiday (National Sports Holiday) between October 14th
and 17th every year.
