Ehime Prefecture - A Dream Sightseeing Ride For All Cyclists Enthusiasts and Tourists
In the next coming months, we have prepared a special travel series for you covering the interesting things to do or visit in 9 prefectures - Ehime, Ibaraki, Okinawa, Kanagawa, Kumamoto, Ishikawa, Kochi, Nagano, and Shizuoka.
Most of them are information you may not be able to find just by google searching, so stay tuned to all these lovely reads while anticipating the opening of the borders to Japan in 2021!
Ehime Prefecture
Ehime prefecture is probably one of the least heard prefectures among Singaporeans. There are eleven cities and nine towns in Ehime prefecture, and the cities are Imabari, Iyo, Matsuyama (capital), Niihama, Ōzu, Saijō, Seiyo, Shikokuchūō, Tōon, Uwajima, and Yawatahama.
You probably haven’t heard of most of these cities before. Grab this chance (soon) to visit these unfrequented and underrated cities, and have something proud to show your friends - “I’ve been to somewhere in Japan that you have not been!”
Ehime Prefecture is approximately an hour and a half by flight from Tokyo.
Tip: Some travellers have planned out their itinerary in such a way where they will take a flight to Matsuyama Airport in Ehime Prefecture, and after two days or so, they will take the Shinkansen (Japanese Bullet Train) to Okayama Prefecture (approx. 2 hours and 40 mins), tour Okayama for a few days, and take the Shinkansen to another prefecture such as Osaka or Fukuoka.
Cycle at Japan’s only bike path over the sea - Shimanami Kaido!
If you ask the locals what is a must-do in Ehime Prefecture, all of them will answer you with Cycling on Shimanami Kaido!
Shimanami Kaido has become an extremely popular destination where cyclists, tourists, and fans will come from all over the world just to cycle at the 70km long course. Of course, you need not complete it if you aren’t able to.
This road connects Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, to Onomichi city, Hiroshima Prefecture, and it is Japan’s only course that allows you to cross ocean straits on a bicycle.
Many beautiful attractions can be found along the route. Wherever you cycle or stop, you will be able to enjoy the view of the Seto Inland Sea.
The Shimanami area has clear, beautiful seas and a good climate, with fresh sea breezes cooling you as you ride.
Along this course, you will also reach the world's first three-span suspension bridge - the Kurushima Kaikyō bridge, which stretches over the surface of the Kurushima strait 65m below, and you'll uncover tranquil sights and the power of nature.
Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, is fully outfitted with facilities for cyclists, including bicycle rental shops.
There are all kinds of cyclist-friendly places in town, such as hotels that allow guests to bring their bicycles into their rooms and restaurants/shops with bike stands outside.
Throughout the course, roads are marked with an easy-to-follow Blue Line as a guide for cyclists. Keep following it and you're sure to reach your goal by the best route possible!
There are a total of 13 cycle rental locations throughout the Shimanami Kaido.
The cost of bike rental generally ranges from 1,000 Japanese Yen (about 13 SGD) per day. A deposit is required on top of the rental fee and is refunded when the bike is returned to the starting point. Conveniently, most bikes can be rented at one end of the route (Imabari city or Onomichi city) and returned at the other end if you do not mind that the deposit will not be refunded.
Imabari Yakitori chicken skewers
Fine food is the true joy of any journey!
As you ride through town, there are a number of local delicacies like Imabari Yakitori chicken skewers or Imabari roast pork and egg rice, that you should try! Additionally, there are many other delights that are only available in Ehime Prefecture, and you can't tell anyone you have been here if you have not tried them!
Imabari Yakitori chicken skewers
Yakitori in Ehime prefecture is different from those that are served elsewhere in Japan. The Yakitori here has a deliciously crispy crust because of the process of how it is made. Be sure to enjoy them with a glass of beer!
Imabari roast pork and egg rice
Attractions you ought to visit!
If you are interested in Japanese history, the Murakami Suigun Museum is a place you will want to visit.
Several hundred years ago, the Murakami Suigun pirates ruled more than 1,000 islands of Setouchi. Though many mysteries about these pirates are still unsolved, at this museum, one can see a wide variety of documents and excavated goods linked to the story of the Murakami Suigun.
Visitors can even experience the life of a pirate by putting on a suit of armour or paddling against the sea currents while enjoying views of the rapids around the Noshima castle ruins and the Hakata and Oshima Bridges.
After some intense legs workout from cycling, treat yourself to thalassotherapy, a treatment which involves the usage of seawater, at Mare Grassia Omishima located in Imabari city, Ehime Prefecture. You will also be able to enjoy the view of the Seto Inland Sea while you are soaking yourself in the bath. This experience is bound to be a very rejuvenating and wholesome one!
After enjoying the facilities, guests are also treated to local cuisine featuring fresh seafood and vegetables. The trip to this Day Spa (closes at 8 pm) should not be missed!
Want to discover more? Visit Ehime Prefecture’s official website now!
