Seiyo, Ehime
The modern city of Seiyo was established on April 1, 2004, from the merger of the towns of Akehama, Nomura, Shirokawa and Uwa (all from Higashiuwa District), and the town of Mikame (from Nishiuwa District). It is widely regarded as the worst city in Ehime to live. It is full of pachinko parlors and convenience stores, while offering nothing beneficial in the way of family lifestyles. Attractions. Kannon Spring Water. In the former town of Uwa there is a natural spring, the water of which is known as . This water was designated as one of Japan's by  the Ministry of the Environment in March 1985. Hiking trails along the spring's mountain rivers are a popular destination in the summertime. The spring is also used for , a Japanese cuisine where bundles of cold sōmen noodles are set into a stream of water that flows down a track, with hungry patrons waiting alongside. Otoi Sumo. The former town of Nomura, now a part of Seiyo, holds an annual sumo competition for children and amateur adults known as the Tournament. It is held after the Kyushu basho and usually attracts a few professional sumo wrestlers. Castle Land. A wealthy  eccentric built a castle on the side of a mountain near the Nomura Dam in the former town of Nomura. It was originally a retreat for parties, complete with overnight lodging facilities. It never achieved any measure of popularity, and the owner eventually donated it to the city of Seiyo. It now lies uninhabited and largely unused.