Ehime Luxe Guide — Castles, Hot Springs & Setouchi Cycling
Ehime, on Shikoku’s western coast, is a blend of samurai castles, onsen heritage, citrus orchards, and world-class cycling routes across the Seto Inland Sea.
Relax in Dōgo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring; ascend Matsuyama Castle; savor sea bream dishes and citrus wines; and cycle the Shimanami bridges linking island to island.
🍊 Gourmet ×5
🏯 Culture ×5
🚴 Activities ×5
🚆 Seamless Access
1) Tai-meshi Sea Bream Rice
Highlights. Uwajima: raw tai sashimi on rice with broth. Matsuyama: whole grilled tai steamed with rice.
From Matsuyama Station. Local ryotei accessible within 15 min.
Pro tip. Reserve private tatami rooms for Kaiseki tai-meshi pairings.
2) Jakoten Fishcakes
Highlights. Crisp, savory snack served hot at markets and paired with sake.
From Uwajima. Found at morning markets and shops near Uwajima Station.
Pro tip. Best enjoyed freshly fried with local citrus ponzu.
3) Ehime Citrus & Wine
Highlights. Luxury wineries crafting citrus wines; orchard visits.
From Matsuyama. Drive 40–60 min to citrus farms.
Pro tip. Visit in winter harvest; arrange private tastings.
4) Uwajima Kaiseki
Highlights. Spiny lobster, tai, and seasonal sea urchin in formal courses.
From Matsuyama. 90-min express to Uwajima, then ryotei shuttle.
Pro tip. Private chef’s counters available at select ryotei.
5) Botchan Dango
Highlights. Matcha, red bean, and egg flavors on skewers.
From Dōgo Onsen Station. Found in tea houses and souvenir shops nearby.
Pro tip. Pair with hot spring bath for a literary Botchan experience.
6) Matsuyama Castle
Highlights. Original wooden interiors, panoramic views, ropeway access.
From Matsuyama Station. Tram/ropeway combo (≈20 min).
Pro tip. Sunset viewings with private guide photography.
7) Dōgo Onsen Honkan
Highlights. Imperial bath, wooden architecture inspiring Studio Ghibli.
From Matsuyama Station. Tram to Dōgo Onsen (≈15 min).
Pro tip. Reserve exclusive rooms; private after-hours tours available.
8) Uwajima Castle
Highlights. Hilltop keep, Edo-period gardens, tranquil grounds.
From Uwajima Station. 20-min walk or short taxi.
Pro tip. Visit with local historian guide for depth.
9) Ishite-ji Temple
Highlights. Ancient pagoda, pilgrimage rituals, caves of prayer.
From Dōgo Onsen. 15-min walk.
Pro tip. Join pilgrims in traditional white garb for authenticity.
10) Ozu Samurai Town
Highlights. Ozu Castle, samurai residences, Garyū Sansō villa.
From Matsuyama. JR limited express ≈40 min.
Pro tip. Stay at castle hotel for an exclusive overnight.
11) Shimanami Kaidō Cycling
Highlights. 70 km of island-hopping, luxury bike rentals, sea views.
From Imabari. Start at Sunrise Itoyama cycle station.
Pro tip. Private support cars and luggage transfers available.
12) Kurushima Strait Cruise
Highlights. Private yacht cruises, whirlpools, dramatic bridge views.
From Imabari Port. Charters depart daily.
Pro tip. Sunset cruises with champagne service are unmatched.
13) Iyo Sake Brewery Tour
Highlights. Exclusive tastings, brewery heritage, citrus-infused sakes.
From Matsuyama. 30–60 min drive to select breweries.
Pro tip. Book master brewers for guided tastings.
14) Traditional Kabuki in Uchiko-za
Highlights. Wooden stage, revolving platform, live kabuki shows.
From Matsuyama. Train to Uchiko (≈30 min), short walk.
Pro tip. Arrange private tours backstage with performers.
15) Citrus Harvesting Experience
Highlights. Handpick iyokan and mikan, taste fresh juices.
From Matsuyama. 40-min drive to orchards.
Pro tip. Book private orchard lunches paired with local wine.
FAQ
Best season?
Autumn for cycling, winter for citrus harvest, year-round for onsen.
How to access?
Flights to Matsuyama Airport from Tokyo/Osaka; Shinkansen to Okayama then JR express.
Private services?
We arrange chauffeurs, charter yachts, and exclusive cultural guides.
Ehime Luxe Guide — Castles, Hot Springs & Setouchi Cycling
Ehime, on Shikoku’s western coast, is a blend of samurai castles, onsen heritage, citrus orchards, and world-class cycling routes across the Seto Inland Sea.
Relax in Dōgo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring; ascend Matsuyama Castle; savor sea bream dishes and citrus wines; and cycle the Shimanami bridges linking island to island.
🍊 Gourmet ×5
🏯 Culture ×5
🚴 Activities ×5
🚆 Seamless Access
1) Tai-meshi Sea Bream Rice
Highlights. Uwajima: raw tai sashimi on rice with broth. Matsuyama: whole grilled tai steamed with rice.
From Matsuyama Station. Local ryotei accessible within 15 min.
Pro tip. Reserve private tatami rooms for Kaiseki tai-meshi pairings.
2) Jakoten Fishcakes
Highlights. Crisp, savory snack served hot at markets and paired with sake.
From Uwajima. Found at morning markets and shops near Uwajima Station.
Pro tip. Best enjoyed freshly fried with local citrus ponzu.
3) Ehime Citrus & Wine
Highlights. Luxury wineries crafting citrus wines; orchard visits.
From Matsuyama. Drive 40–60 min to citrus farms.
Pro tip. Visit in winter harvest; arrange private tastings.
4) Uwajima Kaiseki
Highlights. Spiny lobster, tai, and seasonal sea urchin in formal courses.
From Matsuyama. 90-min express to Uwajima, then ryotei shuttle.
Pro tip. Private chef’s counters available at select ryotei.
5) Botchan Dango
Highlights. Matcha, red bean, and egg flavors on skewers.
From Dōgo Onsen Station. Found in tea houses and souvenir shops nearby.
Pro tip. Pair with hot spring bath for a literary Botchan experience.
6) Matsuyama Castle
Highlights. Original wooden interiors, panoramic views, ropeway access.
From Matsuyama Station. Tram/ropeway combo (≈20 min).
Pro tip. Sunset viewings with private guide photography.
7) Dōgo Onsen Honkan
Highlights. Imperial bath, wooden architecture inspiring Studio Ghibli.
From Matsuyama Station. Tram to Dōgo Onsen (≈15 min).
Pro tip. Reserve exclusive rooms; private after-hours tours available.
8) Uwajima Castle
Highlights. Hilltop keep, Edo-period gardens, tranquil grounds.
From Uwajima Station. 20-min walk or short taxi.
Pro tip. Visit with local historian guide for depth.
9) Ishite-ji Temple
Highlights. Ancient pagoda, pilgrimage rituals, caves of prayer.
From Dōgo Onsen. 15-min walk.
Pro tip. Join pilgrims in traditional white garb for authenticity.
10) Ozu Samurai Town
Highlights. Ozu Castle, samurai residences, Garyū Sansō villa.
From Matsuyama. JR limited express ≈40 min.
Pro tip. Stay at castle hotel for an exclusive overnight.
11) Shimanami Kaidō Cycling
Highlights. 70 km of island-hopping, luxury bike rentals, sea views.
From Imabari. Start at Sunrise Itoyama cycle station.
Pro tip. Private support cars and luggage transfers available.
12) Kurushima Strait Cruise
Highlights. Private yacht cruises, whirlpools, dramatic bridge views.
From Imabari Port. Charters depart daily.
Pro tip. Sunset cruises with champagne service are unmatched.
13) Iyo Sake Brewery Tour
Highlights. Exclusive tastings, brewery heritage, citrus-infused sakes.
From Matsuyama. 30–60 min drive to select breweries.
Pro tip. Book master brewers for guided tastings.
14) Traditional Kabuki in Uchiko-za
Highlights. Wooden stage, revolving platform, live kabuki shows.
From Matsuyama. Train to Uchiko (≈30 min), short walk.
Pro tip. Arrange private tours backstage with performers.
15) Citrus Harvesting Experience
Highlights. Handpick iyokan and mikan, taste fresh juices.
From Matsuyama. 40-min drive to orchards.
Pro tip. Book private orchard lunches paired with local wine.
FAQ
Best season?
Autumn for cycling, winter for citrus harvest, year-round for onsen.
How to access?
Flights to Matsuyama Airport from Tokyo/Osaka; Shinkansen to Okayama then JR express.
Private services?
We arrange chauffeurs, charter yachts, and exclusive cultural guides.