Ehime Prefecture occupies the northwestern corner of Shikoku island, facing the Seto Inland Sea. Known for Matsuyama Castle, the oldest operating hot-spring bathhouse at Dogo Onsen, the pilgrimage temples of the Shikoku 88-temple circuit, and the nation's finest mandarin oranges, Ehime blends samurai history with coastal scenery and one of Japan's most genuine onsen cultures.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Onsen manju (steamed sweet buns) from Dogo — ¥120–200 each (~$0.80–$1.30 USD)
Jakoten (dried/packaged fried fish cake) — ¥600–1,500 (~$4–$10 USD) per pack
Mikan yokan (mandarin orange jelly sweet) — ¥500–1,200 (~$3.30–$8 USD)
Dogo Onsen hand towel (tenugui) — ¥500–1,500 (~$3.30–$10 USD)
Uchiko washi paper products — ¥300–5,000 (~$2–$33 USD)
Ehime sake (nihonshu) — ¥1,500–5,000 (~$10–$33 USD) per 720 ml bottle
O-Henro pilgrim white jacket (hakui) — ¥1,500–3,000 (~$10–$20 USD)
Imabari towel (premium quality terry cloth from Imabari, Japan's towel capital) — ¥1,500–6,000 (~$10–$40 USD)
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Matsuyama Chuo Market
Wholesale fish market; limited retail access
Where: Matsuyama inner city
Hours: 6:00–12:00 (closed Sun)
Michi-no-Eki Uchiko Fresche
Local produce, Uchiko crafts, farm-direct vegetables
Where: Uchiko
Hours: 9:00–18:00 (closed Tue)