This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you are better prepared for what to expect, what not to expect and can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Ehime pref.. To help you make friends with Ehime pref. before you visit, we've included a few helpful and fun things you should know about the area. Enjoy!
Home to five of Japan’s most widely-visited castles, Ehime Prefecture has become a well-frequented tourist destination within the country. With mild, pleasant weather year-round and a gorgeous natural environment to explore, it’s no wonder this area is an attractive one for tourists planning a trip around Japan.
This area is situated in northwestern Shikoku, bordered by the Seto Inland Sea. A stay at a local hotel or hostel provides visitors with incredible views of the coast and the Seto Inland Sea National Park – but a popular attraction for tourists is Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s most well-known hot springs. Visitors here also enjoy touring the five fascinating castles within the prefecture, including the historical Uwajima and Matsuyama castles.
There are plenty of hotels and hostels located in the prefecture’s capital city, Matsuyama. Visitors here can stay at an inexpensive hostel while they explore everything this area has to offer, or they can choose from a number of other types of accommodation – anything from elegant hotels, spa resorts, bed and breakfasts, and holiday rentals.
Tourists shouldn’t leave this area without sampling some of the delicious local cuisine. Traditional Japanese foods like horaku yaki, tai somen, imotaki, iyo satsuma, and imabari ramen are only some of the unique dishes visitors can expect to find at the many restaurants found within Ehime. The area is known for its production of goshiki somen, thin noodles that come in five different colours thanks to natural dyes like tea, plums, and wheat. Other local exports include pottery, textiles, and even microbrewed beers.
International flights arrive into Ehime Matsuyama Airport via connections in either Seoul or Shanghai, and shuttles are available from the airport to bring tourists to their local accommodation. Matsuyama also has a train station, and public transportation or shuttles are available throughout the prefecture to allow tourists to visit some of this area’s popular attractions.
Written by local enthusiast for Ehime pref. hostels
Jakob Lombardi
