When visiting Japan, most people are drawn to the large, well-known cities found on the Japanese main island of Honshu. While these cities provide a variety of attractions and ammenities, the efforts of these cities to promote tourism has, in some cases, obscured the culture and history of Japan. Outside of these urban centers, the majority of the country might be considered rural. It is in these small villages, towns, and cities that the culture of Japan is preserved.
Where do I begin?
When one decides to leave the comforts of Honshu's cities in a search to uncover the real Japan, where do they begin? Most foreigners lack the necessary Japanese language proficency to set out on an adventure through the Japanese countryside. It is important to find a place that has sights of interest, it is easily accessible by train/automobile/boat and it has some infrastructure in place to help support visiting foreigners. It is our belief that the city of Imabari is one of a small number of destinations that can offer all of this to its visitors.
We hope that, with the help of this website, you will find exactly what you are looking for in our city.
The city has a population approaching 200,000 people. It is spread out over the north-western tip of the island of Shikoku and a few of the smaller adjacent islands. Imabari is connected to the larger island of Honshu by the Shimanami Kaido bridge. The bridge is the second largest suspension bridge in the world. With a large train station and ferry port, the city is also accessible by train or ferry.
• The city is home to 7 of the 88 temples that make up the Shikoku Shinto pilgrimage.
• A beautiful Castle that is surrounded by one of the last remaining salt water moats in Japan.
• The Kokusai hotel which has many fine dining restaurants and a wonderful view of the surrounding city.
• There are several parks and beaches that support a range of activities.
• Imabari is widely recognized as one of the top three places to eat Yakkitori in Japan.
• A few large bath houses (onsens) that are fed by underground hot water springs.