Move in one direction
Combine Matsuyama and Dogo, then shift to Imabari for a Shimanami day.
SHIKOKU · REGIONAL PLANNING BRIEF
Ehime
愛媛県 · in Japanese
Best for cycling, castles and historic onsen.
BASEMatsuyamaIDEAL STAY3–5 daysGATEWAYMatsuyama Airport (MYJ)
Photo: AudaCity3371 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credit & license
Shimanami Kaido, Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge - panoramio.jpg · AudaCity3371 · CC BY-SA 3.0.
AudaCity3371
Source credit: https://web.archive.org/web/20161028104810/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/94569137
Attribution source 1 · Attribution source 2
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
A regional planning brief: not a timed itinerary or a venue-by-venue review.
QUICK ORIENTATION
- 01Japan
- 02Shikoku
- 03Ehime Prefecture
Where is Ehime,
and why go?
Ehime occupies northwestern Shikoku and faces the Seto Inland Sea. Matsuyama lies in the west, while Imabari and the Shimanami Kaido are farther northeast.
SOURCE CHECK · Location and trip-shape review completed 19 August 2026. JNTO Ehime destination guide ↗. Reconfirm schedules, event dates, opening rules and reservations before travel.
HOW TO ARRIVE
Take the airport bus to Matsuyama Station or Dogo Onsen. The Shimanami Kaido starts near Imabari, reached by JR or bus.
EAT THIS
tai-meshi, jakoten and mikan desserts
WHEN TO GO
March–May and October–November for cycling
WHERE TO BASE
Dogo Onsen for atmosphere; Imabari before cycling
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Make the route
work in real life.
Start with the transport constraint, then keep the part of Ehime that fits it. The stay length above is an editorial allowance, not a minimum needed to enjoy the region.
CAROptional
NEXT STOPHiroshima by ferry or Kochi overland.
Know the final leg
Trams work in Matsuyama; cycling requires one-way luggage and return planning.
Protect the hard parts
Bicycles, ryokan and popular ferry or bus connections.
Keep one useful fallback
Dogo onsen, towel museums and Matsuyama cafés.
COMPARE THE ROUTE
See Ehime
in regional context.
Other places in Shikoku to compare. These are browsing suggestions, not a checked sequence of connecting trains or buses.
Photo: Leela Soden · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credit & license
Ritsurin.JPG · Leela Soden · CC BY-SA 3.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Kagawa
art islands, gardens and udon. Start with Naoshima.
COMPARE KAGAWA →
Photo: 四万十人 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credit & license
Shimanto sada chinkabashi fukin.jpg · 四万十人 · CC BY-SA 3.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Kochi
rivers, markets and rugged coast. Start with Kochi City.
COMPARE KOCHI →
Photo: さかおり · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credit & license
Oboke gorge pleasure boat 2106 August 13.B.jpg · さかおり · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Tokushima
dance, whirlpools and mountain valleys. Start with Awa Odori.
COMPARE TOKUSHIMA →