Ehime Travel Guide The magic of a traditional Japanese experience

The 88 Temple pilgrimage:

The famed 88 temple route is a task that most Japanese embark on at some point in their lives. The route is meant to inspire awe and contemplation for individuals seeking enlightenment. The process usually involves traversing the island of Shikoku complete with stylish pilgrim garments. This includes a white Hakue, or short kimono-type jacket, a walking stick inscribed with important and contemplative teachings, and a Sugegasa, otherwise known as the traditional bamboo rice-farming and cone-shaped hat that we might be familiar with in the west through lore and film.  For pilgrims on the island, Ehime prefecture, is the last on the route of the 88 temples, and is thus known as ‘bodai-no-dojo’ or the place of attainment of wisdom.

Mount Ishizuchi

Mount Ishizuchi, whose jagged peak resembles a massive stone hammer, is western Japan’s highest point at 1982m. The mountain offers stunning panoramas and forms part of the island’s 88 temple pilgrimage route (the little rock pagoda at the summit is as rewarding as any of the more richly decorated temples closer to the ground). The mountain is also known as one of Japan’s Seven Holy Mountains (or 七霊山 nana reizan), forming part of the larger Ishizuchi Kokutei Koen, a sort of quasi-national park.

Matsuyama castle

Located on small Mt. Katsuyama, in the center of the city, Matsuyama Castle is an immaculately preserved medieval castle that is worth a visit for its unique cultural offerings. The castle has a distinct stately appearance supported by a fortress-like base with white stucco and brown cedar elements on its upper section. Its unique structure and central location feel uniquely grounded above the hilltop setting (compared to Japan’s other castle structures, such as famed Himeji-jo, or the White Crane, which are often located on small mounts or open planes). Through its nearly impenetrable fortress and setting, the castle is unsurprisingly known as the ‘bear castle’. Matsuyama Castle is accessible by cable car from the eastern edge of the mountain, or through a steep hike to the summit. On the way down, a stop at Ninomaru Shiseki Tei-en, on the outer citadel of the fort, is worth a visit with its old Japanese style gardens and water features.

Dogo Onsen

Historic Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama is a place of much needed rest and relaxation, after all the pilgrimage and sightseeing. As one of the oldest traditional onsens in Japan, Dogo Onsen’s history stretches back over 1,000 years. This mythical hot spring has been part of Japanese history and poetry, with many a famed visitor throughout its history, including a future Emperor, Prince Shotoku in around 574 A.D. The onsen is also famous for having inspired the bathhouse in the classic Japanese anime ‘Spirited Away’. This bathing house is so revered that there is a special room that is reserved exclusively for the Imperial Family. So if you’re looking for the royal treatment, this is the place to go.

Ehime is among the only places in Japan to have a festival dedicated to fireflies, or Hirota, which are found in abundance for about two weeks in mid-June. The best places to visit are Ozu, Matsuno and Hirota Village, where the air is crisp, clear and pollution free. During the summer months, you can also look forward to Uwajima Gaiya Summer Festival, held in mid-July, and the Matsuyama Summer Festival, complete with weekly events held every Saturday through July and August, including its famous night market held in Okaido and Gintengai. The actual festival is held at the beginning of August and includes a dancing parade down Okaido in Matsuyama. The festival is capped off by a dazzling firework display from Mitsuhama Port.

In October, you can also look forward to the three-day harvest festival or Niihama Taiko, complete with a parade of floats, as well as the Saijo Autumn Matsuri. The Saijo Matsuri, held in Saijo city, is a two-day festival that starts with 77 Danjiri lantern floats that are paraded through the city from 2 am to 6 am. The festival culminates at the banks of Kamo River, where floats are carried into the water with the twilight of dawn as a backdrop the following morning.  

This is merely a simple taste of the unique offerings that Japan’s ‘lovely princess’ boasts; where the magic of a traditionally Japanese experience thrives. With so much to do, a visit to Ehime Prefecture can be as rewarding as the big and brash neon experience that some of Japan’s more visited cities inspire.