Journey through Shimanami Kaido④Imabari city・Matsuyama city

Hello!
This time we will introduce the Shikoku side starting point of Shimanami Kaido: Imabari City and Matsuyama City.

・ Imabari City
After passing through the Kurushima Kankyo Bridge, the starting point of the Shikoku side is Imabari City, which is famous nationwide for producing high-quality towels. You can see how towels are made and art exhibits made by towels at the towel museum. 
This city is also home to one of Japan's "Great water castle" with its moat filled from the sea, which creates the mysterious sight of saltwater fish swimming in. The Imabari Castle was built by Todo Takatora, a master of castle construction in the Edo era. Especially after dark, it is very pleasant to see the illuminated castle.
You can enjoy popular dishes such as Imabari grilled pork and egg rice, Imabari grilled chicken, and Imabari ramen if you are hungry.

From Imabari City, there is a bus that take you to Matsuyama City, the capital of Ehime Prefecture (approx. 80 minutes) or a train (approx. 35 minutes by Ishizuchi / Shiokaze train).
There is also "Hamaze Kaido" along the national road 196, which allows you to go back and forth between Imabari city and Matsuyama city by bicycle. The length is approx. 50km, which is not comparable to Shimanami Kaido, but it is flatland and you can go cycling while being gently blown by a beach breeze along the side of the Itsukinada territory.

・Matsuyama City
Matsuyama, the oldest city in Shikoku, maintains a retro atmosphere inside its city, including the inner balneal town Dogo Onsen, which is said to be the oldest hot springs in Japan; Matsuyama Castle, which is said to be the last-built castle in Japan; and a steam locomotive that appeared in the famous novel "Bocchan" by Soseki Natsume. Especially in Dogo-Yunomachi, there are hotels, shopping districts, Dogo parks, etc., gathering around Dogo Onsen. You may say that it is the best place to heal the fatigue of a trip.



On four occasions, we introduced islands that go through the Shimanami Kaido and attractive cityscapes like Onomichi, Imabari and Matsuyama-city. Did you like it?
By cycle or by cars, but also by cruising and more, won't you travel around other islands together?


Click here to know the detail of our fleets ( Japan Yacht Experience )

Click here to see our tour : Naoshima Yacht Cruising ＆ Shimanami Kaido Cycling 8 days ( standard tour with Peak Experience Japan )