Near the port in Imabari is a huge, beautifully made ship’s propeller displayed as sculpture. It looks like a giant flower. In front of it are the words “Zo-sen no machi, Imabari” or “Shipbuilding town, Imabari”. This is the theme of the city, and even in the swanky Ima..
To most Japanese people, Tobe calls to mind Tobe-yaki, a type of ceramic known throughout Japan. People tend to imagine it as a picturesque, arty sort of town, visibly full of potter’s ateliers, known as kama meaning ‘kiln’. Actually, your first impression may be of a nondescript..
The city of Saijo sits on a plain facing the Seto Inland Sea, with the imposing Mt. Ishizuchi behind it. Saijo is sandwiched between Imabari and Niihama along the coast of the Inland Sea. Like it’s neighbor Imabari, Saijo is basically an industrial city that has experienced hollowing out rec..
Matsuyama isn't usually known for its ramen. If you ask the locals, they aren't really able to say what Matsuyama’s unique regional spin on the noodle dish is. Considering the relative scarcity of ramen shops, I jump at the op..
On the banks of the Isshite river sits an unexpected, vintage train car. The bikes parked outside and the cheerful, if somewhat peeling, blue and yellow paint alert the traveler that this is no accident site. Wildflowers, plant pots, and hand painted..
No more than one minute’s walk from Mitsu train station in the North-West of Matsuyama, is a tiny, rustic, no-nonsense okonomiyaki joint with a sassy obaachan chef of local renown. Featured in the Matsuyama 2016 Okonomiyaki rally, this is the r..
Just a few blocks from the seafront castle of Imabari, the Imabari Kokusai Hotel is one of the city's better places to bed down for the night. You can't miss it - the hotel's main tower looms large on the Imabari skyline and it's a ve..
Seapa Makoto onsen and restaurant is located next to picturesque Kashima port overlooking the island of Kashima, a big blob of mountain just off the coast in the Seto Inland Sea. The onsen sits on the seawall just above the beach at Hojo, offering a ..
Spa Ryokan Dougoya is a budget guesthouse but with classic ryokan styling located in Dogo, Matsuyama on the island of Shikoku. It is located close to the station, as well as to the Shopping Arcade and Dogo Onsen! The traditional Japanese house is bui..
Shikoku is home to many talented craftspeople. Some of Shikoku’s most famous and enduring crafts include Awagami (Tokushima washi paper), Tobeyaki (Tobe’s distinctive blue pottery), and Iyo-Kasuri (hand-woven, blue patterned fabric). The..
The sex museum next to the Taga fertility shrine in Uwajima is one of the weirdest places on Shikoku, if not Japan. Over the years the shrine has become more of a preface to the visual overload of the adjoining sex museum. The sh..
The Tsubaki Matsuri is a popular annual festival unique to Matsuyama. The atmosphere is electric, vivacious, and merry, especially when beer starts flowing and the mikoshi (portable shrine) processions are happening. It is held every year on Setsubun..
