I haven’t conducted this experiment, but I would imagine that if you asked 10 random foreign visitors to Japan where “Ehime” was, most wouldn’t be able to say. I’m not sure the results would be much better among Japanese.
This makes sense in one way—Shikoku, broadly speaking, is not a popular destination. However, I would venture that if you substituted in the word “Matsuyama” (Ehime-ken’s largest city), the number of people who knew what you were talking about would double.
Which is neither here nor there, to be fair. The purpose of my Ehime travel guide, after all, is to shine a bright light on this underrated corner of Japan, whether or not you knew where (or what) it was before you got here today.
How to Get to and Around Ehime
Unless you are really into “slow travel” (as both the olds and the kids are calling it), flights to Matsuyama are your best option for reaching Ehime. You can choose from more than a dozen per day (most of them from Tokyo-Haneda), with a door-to-door travel time of between 2-4 hours, depending upon where in Tokyo you’re staying, and what your final Ehime destination. Alternatively, you can take a train (via Okayama and Takamatsu), or a ferry from Hiroshima.
Getting around in Ehime is likewise also basically an either/or decision. Travelers who primarily want to explore built-up areas like Matsuyama City and Dogo Onsen (or even those who want to visit Ozu and Uwajima, but who have the time to deal with local trains and buses) can get by using public transport. Renting a car, however, will make your life easier, particularly if you want to see the Shimanami Kaido, but don’t want to bike.
What to Do in Ehime
Enjoy the view from Matsuyama Castle
While not the only one of Japan’s 12 “original” castles in Ehime-ken (more on the other one later), Matsuyama Castle is arguably the more impressive one, and is certainly a lot more convenient for travelers staying in Matsuyama. If you can, I’d recommend staying here until sunset, although this is of course not necessary in order to enjoy yourself.
Relax at Dogo Onsen
Another essential stop on your Ehime itinerary is Dogo Onsen. Although its central honkan has obviously been rebuilt, this is said to be Japan’s oldest hot springs area, with a history dating back more than 1,000 years. Whether or not you stay at a ryokan here, make sure both to have a bath and also to Ishitei-ji, one of the temples along the iconic Shikoku Pilgrimage.
Make a foray onto the Shimanami Kaido
Speaking of routes that are a pilgrimage of sorts, the Shimanami Kaido is certainly becoming one for cyclists. Extending across a series of islands in the Seto Inland Sea, and connecting Ehime’s Imabari city with Onomichi, Hiroshima, it’s impossibly scenic. TIP: If you don’t want to cycle, you can instead rent a car and drive to Setoda, whose Kousan-ji temple is a surrealist wonderland.
Spend (at least) an afternoon in Uwajima
If you don’t get tired of castles while in Matsuyama, another of my favorite things to do in Ehime is to visit Uwajima, a smaller city just down the coast. In addition to being yet another of the original castles in Japan (which number just 12, in the whole country), Uwajima Castle offers awesome coastal views, and can be a gateway to Kochi if you have a rental car.
Go off the beaten path in Ozu
Ozu, to be sure, is also ostensibly a castle town. But to me, Ozu Castle is not the highlight here—and not just because it isn’t “original” like its cousins in Matsuyama and Uwajima. Rather, I think a visit here is more valuable for the ability to enjoy a small-town vibe, whether you practice your Japanese with a mikan seller, or simply walk around in silent satisfaction.
Where to Base Yourself in Ehime
As you can imagine, the vast majority of accommodation in Ehime prefecture is in an around Matsuyama City. This includes utilitarian business hotels such as the Daiwa Roynet Hotel Matsuyama (near the Okaido tram stop and Matsuyama Castle), and hot springs properties such as Funaya (or, if you prefer, the much higher-end Yamatoya) in Dogo Onsen.
Of course, if urban Matsuyama hotels aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options. The opulent Setouchi Retreat isn’t far from the city, but offers stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea from its five-star rooms. Yubune, on the other hand, is actually in Setoda, but can be a good base for exploring Ehime if you plan to have your own set of wheels during the trip.
Other FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Ehime Prefecture
What is Ehime, Japan known for?
Ehime, Japan is known for a few things, such as being home to Matsuyama (Shikoku’s largest city), the production of mikan (Japanese mandarins) and the fact that it hosts two of Japan’s 12 remaining “original” castles, the only prefecture of Japan to be able to claim that.
When to visit Ehime?
Ehime is beautiful all 12 months of the year. However, it castles (which, to me, are its top attractions) are most beautiful in late March when the sakura are at full bloom, and in early December when autumn colors reach their full brilliance.
Is there a Shinkansen from Tokyo to Ehime?
You cannot take a Shinkansen all the way from Tokyo to Ehime prefecture. The closest you can either is either Okayama or Hiroshima prefectures, from which you must continue either by ferry, local train or bus. In most cases, it ends up being smarter simply to fly.
The Bottom Line
Has my Ehime travel guide put a new destination—or five—on your Japan travel bucket list? At a minimum I hope you’ll visit Matsuyama, i.e. the largest city in Shikoku, which is home to Japan’s oldest onsen hot spring and one of just 12 remaining “original” castles in the country. Speaking of castles, nearby day-trip destinations like Uwajima and Ozu are also home to them, if feudal fortresses happen to be your thing. Or, you can rent a bike and cycle out over the Seto Inland Sea. No matter how you end up spending your time in Ehime, I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan your trip to Japan.
