Ehime

Ehime Prefecture is a land where a timeless history and abundant nature thrive. Emblematic of this is "Dogo Onsen," counted among Japan's three oldest hot springs. It is said to have been visited by Prince Shotoku, and its beautiful Meiji-era main building is designated an Important Cultural Property. "Matsuyama Castle," rising in the center of Matsuyama City, is one of only 12 original keeps remaining in Japan and conveys the atmosphere of the Edo period to this day. The attractions of its nature are varied too. The "Shimanami Kaido," connecting Imabari City and Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture, is world famous as a "cyclists' paradise" where you can cycle while gazing at the scattered islands of the Seto Inland Sea. "Mt. Ishizuchi," the highest peak in western Japan, has long been known as a sacred mountain and shows beautiful faces in every season. Ehime is also remarkably rich in food culture. In addition to citrus fruits such as "mikan," for which the prefecture ranks among the top in Japan in both production and variety, "tai-meshi," made luxuriously with fresh Seto Inland Sea sea bream, is superb. A distinctive feature is that you can enjoy both the Uwajima-region style, in which sashimi is marinated in sauce, and the Chuyo-region style, cooked with rice. Strolling through the atmospheric streets with the local soul food "jakoten" (fried fish cake) in hand is also a real thrill of sightseeing in Ehime.