# Ehime

Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県 Ehime-ken) is on the Japanese island of Shikoku.

## Understand

The prefecture includes both high mountains in the inland region and a long coastline, with many islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The westernmost arm of Ehime, the Sadamisaki Peninsula, is the narrowest peninsula in Japan. 7 percent of the total land area of the prefecture is designated as Natural Parks.
The oldest extant hot spring in Japan, Dōgo Onsen, is located in Matsuyama. It has been used for over two thousand years.
Ehime was known as Iyo (伊予) until 1868.

### Tourist information

* Ehime Prefectural Information Center (EPIC) (愛媛県国際交流センター), 1-1 Dogo Ichiman (Iyotetsu tram or bus to Minamimachi/Kenminbunka Kaikan Mae), ☏ +81 89-917-5678. M-Sa 08:30-17:00. Internet access, study rooms, and bike rentals. It's behind the Ehime Prefectural Cultural Hall.
* Visit Ehime is the prefecture's official multilingual guide site.

## Cities

* 33.839167132.7656391 Matsuyama — the prefectural capital, with Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest and most famous hot springs
* 34.066167132.9977782 Imabari — maritime city, 3rd largest ship building company in the world (no 1 in Japan), with over than 200 ship owners
* 33.223306132.5605563 Uwajima — home to bull sumo and sex shrines
* 33.919556133.1811674 Saijo - gateway to Mount Ishizuchi
* 33.980722133.5491675 Shikokuchuo —
* 33.960333133.2833896 Niihama — home to many industrial factories
* 33.506278132.5445287 Ozu
* 33.488611132.3541118 Ikata — beautiful mountains and ocean scenery along Japan's narrowest peninsula
* 33.533028132.6582789 Uchiko — its historic district is unique in Japan for its yellow-colored buildings

## Other destinations

* 33.766667133.1166671 Mount Ishizuchi - Japanese for Stone Hammer and Shikoku's tallest mountain
* Yawatahama
* Ainan
* Seiyo
* Matsuno
* Kihoku
* Iyo
* Kumakogen
* Tobe
* Masaki
* Touon
* Kamijima

## Get in
### By plane

* Matsuyama Airport (MYJ) with domestic service from several major cities, and international service from Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei.

### By bus

Take a bus from Matsuyama

### By bicycle

The 34.2596133.06391 Shimanami Kaido Bikeway is a 70 km (43 mi) path on dedicated cycle lanes, connecting Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture with Imabari in Ehime.

## See

* Marvel at the jutting rocks of the Shikoku Karst (Kumakogen)
* Visit 2 of the nation's 12 original castles, Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama and Uwajima Castle in Uwajima
* Walk the nostalgic streets in Uchiko's Historic District (Uchiko)
* Explore the ruins of the Besshi Copper Mines and learn about the mines in Minetopia (Niihama)
* Learn about the nationally famous Imabari Towels at the Towel Museum of Art (Imabari)
* Stroll Nanrakuen Garden, a modern garden and the largest in Shikoku (Uwajima)
* Relax at the Garyu Sanso, a former villa and garden overlooking the Hijikawa River (Ozu)

## Do

* Take a bath at hot spring, such as Shimanami Onsen Kisuke no Yu (Imabari) and Dōgo Onsen (Matsuyama).

## Buy

* Bamboo Craft is a specialty of Ehime, renowned for its durability and beauty.

## Eat

* Rice with sea bream (Taimeshi) Ehime is famous for its sea bream. Also, Taimeshi is its signature dish.

## Drink

* Pon Juice. A famous 100% fresh orange juice.

## Go next

* Kochi Prefecture
* Kagawa Prefecture
* Tokushima Prefecture
* Hiroshima Prefecture
* Oita Prefecture