Ehime Prefecture

A prefecture in northwestern Shikoku with the ancient Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama Castle, and the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.

Ehime Prefecture is in northwestern Shikoku, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north. Dogo Onsen in the prefectural capital Matsuyama is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, and its main building, Dogo Onsen Honkan, is full of old-world charm; Matsuyama Castle on the hilltop preserves an original keep. In the north, Imabari is the Shikoku end of the Shimanami Kaido, where you can cycle island to island to Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture. Uchiko retains a traditional townscape, and the Uwajima area has a simple, rustic feel. Local citrus fruits are very famous. The mild weather of spring and autumn is good for cycling. You can arrive via Matsuyama Airport or take a JR limited express from Okayama.

Destinations

• Matsuyama
• Uwajima
• Onomichi & Shimanami Kaido
• Kochi

Itineraries

• Shikoku Grand Loop Self-Drive – Embark on a grand loop from Naruto through Iya, Kochi, Shimanto, Ashizuri, Uwajima, and Dogo, ending in Kotohira and Ta…
• Classic Shikoku Rail Loop – Enter via Okayama to Takamatsu, connecting Naoshima, Kotohira, Oboke, Kochi, Matsuyama, and Uchiko by rail, with no dri…
• Shimanami Kaido Cycling & Dogo Onsen – Cycle across the islands of the Seto Inland Sea from Onomichi to Imabari, then take the train to Matsuyama and end with…
• Shikoku Henro Highlights & Mount Koya – Follow the traditional pilgrimage route to representative temples from Tokushima to Kagawa, complete the journey at Oku…
• Onomichi & Shimanami Kaido Cycling – Explore the sloped streets and old temples of Onomichi, then spend two days cycling the Shimanami Kaido, staying overni…
• Kochi: Niyodo Blue, Shimanto & Ashizuri – Drive west from Kochi to see the Niyodo River, Shimanto Chinka bridges, Cape Ashizuri, and the waters of Kashiwajima.
• Sanyo & Setouchi Classic Rail Tour – A first-timer's route using the Shinkansen to connect Himeji, Kurashiki, Naoshima, Onomichi, Hiroshima, and Miyajima.
• Chugoku Region San'in & Sanyo Grand Loop Self-Drive – Depart from Okayama to loop around western Honshu, covering both the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea sides in one…