Top 4 Must-Visit Places in Ishikawa to Keep Cool This Summer – MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON

17.August.2019 | FEATURES / SPOT

Ishikawa Prefecture was formerly split between Kaga Province and Noto province and is still sometimes thought of as two peas in a pod. What was once Kaga Province in the now southern part of Ishikawa consists of six cities and towns including Kaga, Komatsu, Nomi, Kawakita, Hakusan, and Nonoichi.

 

Kaga Province is home to many waterfall spots widely known as great places for keeping cool in the hot sun. Providing as great sightseeing experiences, one can bask in the negative ions of the waterfalls and overcome the summer scorch.

 

Watagataki Waterfall

Watagadaki gets its name from its appearance which is likened to falling torn cotton (wata being the Japanese word for the material). You will arrive right next to the waterfall when you descend down the path beside it, at which its great tumbling sound will fill you with a feeling reminding you that you are enveloped in nature.

 

▶︎Watagataki Waterfall (綿ヶ滝)

Address: 1-4 Shimoyoshitanimachi, Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture

Enquiries: 076-274-9544 (Hakusan Tourist Centre)

Access: 50-minutes south of Japan National Route 157 via Hakusan Interchange / 60-minutes from Kanazawa Station

 

Nanatsudaki Falls

Nanatsudaki Falls is comprised of seven smaller waterfalls which it gets its name from. It has long been a place of worship. Six of the waterfalls are found upstream, where the water rolls beautifully over the rocks which have formed over tens of thousands of years as a result of the movement of the earth’s crust. The surrounding trees boast lush green verdure or red and yellow autumnal leaves depending on the season, offering different spectacular sights to behold whatever time of the year you visit. There’s a path you can walk along where the upper six waterfalls are so you don’t have to worry about falling in!

 

▶︎Nanatsudaki Falls (七つ滝)

Address: Nagatakimachi, Nomi, Ishikawa

Enquiries: 0761-51-2308 (Nomi no Satoyama Fan Club)

Access: 25-minutes by car from Nomi-Neagari interchange

 

Tsuruga Falls

 

The water at Tsuruga Falls flows down five levels, and the biggest waterfall at the back splits into two separate waterfalls. Collectively the waterfalls tower up 30 meters high which is an incredible sight to see when up close. Tsuruga Falls gets its name from the splitting waterfall at the back which is said to look like the legs of a crane.

 

▶︎Tsuruga Falls (鶴ヶ滝)

Address: Yamanakaonsen Aratanimachi, Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture

Enquiries: 0761-78-0330 (Yamanaka Onsen Tourist Association)

Access: 15-minutes by car from Yamanaka Onsen Bus Terminal

 

Junigataki Waterfalls

 

The name origin of Junigataki Waterfalls lies in its twelve separate falls which flow from the Gotani River. The incredible crashing sound of the water cannot be put into words; it’s an overwhelming spectacle that will have you wanting to go back more than once. In summertime it’s common to see families and young people playing in the water from up at the top of the waterfall down to the lake below. The waterfalls are a quite a distance from the city of Komatsu, but there are roads that lead right to it so it’s very accessible.

 

▶︎Junigataki Waterfalls

Address: Nunohashimachi, Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture

Enquiries: 0761-22-4111 (Komatsu City Hall)

Access: 45-minutes by car from JR Komatsu Station

 

 

Did you enjoy this list? If you’re in Japan this summer visiting Ishikawa then be sure to pay a trip to one of Ishikawa’s many waterfalls to cool yourself off.

RECOMMENDED ENTRIES

  • Hot spring trip in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture recommended by sommeliers

    24.April.2018 | SPOT

    “Kissho Yamanaka” will sell the hot spring lodging plan named “Kissho TOUJI” from April of 2018 to the 30th of September.

     

    吉祥TOUJI 温泉

    Yamana Onsen (hot spring) which was opened about 1,300 years ago is a hot spring area where the famous Japanese poet Basho Matsuo stayed for 9 days.

     

    吉祥TOUJI 温泉

    The plan that they are going to sell offers the experience of enjoying the view/forest of Kakusen Valley, Kaga Area’s delicious foods and hot springs. This hot spring is known to be effective for relieving stress and healing illnesses.

     

    吉祥TOUJI 温泉

    “Yuge Kaido Machi Aruki Ticket” where you can enjoy 10 hot springs in the mountains, local sakes, Daiginjo (sake variety) Soft Served Ice Cream and famous crocket is included in the plan as well as the Jiwamon Onigiri (rice ball) lunch menu/Teppanyaki (pan fried meat and vegetables), sauna, hand-massage service, rental cycle and bus tickets.

     

    吉祥TOUJI 温泉

    吉祥TOUJI 温泉

    Persons who are interested in this plan must visit Kissho TOUJI since you can obtain an onsen textbook from the onsen sommeliers.

     

     

    ■Information

    Kissho TOUJI – Hot Spring Plan Recommended by Onsen Sommeliers.
    Address: Kissho Yamanaka, 14-3, 1st avenue, Higashimachi, Yamanaka Onsen, Kagashi, Ishikawa Prefecture
    Date: 2018/04/01 (Sat.) to 09/30 (Sat.)
    Price: One day ticket that comes with dinner and breakfast / 21,000 yen ~ (two persons – one room) ※the price differs depending on season. ※tax/service fees and hot spring fee (150 yen) are not included, additional fee (5,000 yen) must be paid when staying at the accommodation before a holiday. ※one person – one room ticket is available.
    Meal: Dinner – tea ceremony dishes of Kaga Noto Area at “Benihana,” breakfast – Japanese dishes or teppan breakfast
    TEL:0761-78-5656
    Website:http://kissho-yamanaka.com/

     

  • The New Kaga Onsen Hot Spring Town-Inspired Purin Shop Kaga no Yu Purin

    29.June.2019 | FOOD

    Kaga no Yu Purin is a new shop specialising in Japanese custard puddings, known in Japanese as ‘purin,’ that is inspired by Kaga Onsen―a collection of hot spring towns in Ishikawa Prefecture. It will open on June 29.

     

    The shop encourages people to experience Kaga Onsen’s ancient hot spring culture while enjoying their desserts made with fresh ingredients from Kaga such as milk and eggs. The shop itself too has that Japanese hot spring atmosphere to it.

    One of their standout purin is the Awa Purin (Bubble Pudding), the first purin in Japan to be inspired by the bubbles of hot springs. Not only is its appearance bubbly, the texture is too so it just melts on your tongue. Other purin flavours include strawberry, which are made with local strawberries, Kaga-bocha tea, and pumpkin.

    If you’re passing through the hot spring region of Kaga Onsen then be sure to treat yourself to one of these special purin.

  • Experience-based, gold-leaf museum “Hakkokan” was renewed!

    23.April.2018 | SPOT

    Japan’s largest “experience-based museum,” “Hakkokan” was renewed on the 20th of April 2018.
    プロジェクションマッピング「金箔総合ミュージアム 箔巧館」
    The museum was built about 20 years ago and it was renewed to become “an experience-based gold-leaf museum” using the latest technologies such as projection mapping. Museum staff will entertain and introduce the beautifulness and charms of “gold-leaf” to their customers.
     体感型金箔ミュージアム
    体感型金箔ミュージアム2
    The panels that include directions written in 8 languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Russian, French, Spain and German) were installed. They will also offer various contents related to gold-leaf such as an entertainment spot named “Taikangata Kinpaku Museum,” “Taikendokoro” where both children and adults can play together.
     金箔専門ショップ
     金箔専門ショップはくいちカフェ
    The largest gold-leaf specialized shop in the Hokuriku Area, “Hakuichi Café” where they will sell very popular menu items named “Kinpaku no Kagayaki Soft Cream.”
    「金箔総合ミュージアム 箔巧館」
    ギャラリー
    And “Sozo Kogei,” a gallery which was opened last winter.
     Let’s visit Hakkokan to learn about gold-leaf.
    ■Information
     

    Experience-based gold-leaf museum “Hakkokan”
    Address: 1-1, 2nd avenue, Morito, Kanazawashi, Ishikawa Prefecture Business hours: 9:00 to 18:00
    TEL:076-240-8911

RELATED ENTRIES

  • Insomniacs After School Anime Collaboration Train to Run in Series Setting of Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture

    26.February.2023 | ANIME&GAME

    The upcoming anime adaptation and live-action film versions of Insomniacs After School have been a hot topic since both projects were announced. Ahead of the anime’s premiere on TV Tokyo in April, a themed train will begin running on the Noto Railway line in Nanao City, the setting for the series.

     

    The train design has been unveiled and features beautiful Nanao scenery from the anime series along with the starry sky and the main characters.

     

    Fans can find the train running between Nanao Station and Anamizu Station in Spring 2023. Check the schedule on the Noto Railway official website for more information.

     

    Insomniacs After School (Trailer #2)

    Makoto Ojiro’s coming-of-age manga series is set in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It follows Ganta Nakami, a high school boy suffering from insomnia, and Isaki Magari, a girl with the same problem.

     

    Insomniacs After School is only two months away. Will you be tuning in?

     

    ©オジロマコト・小学館/アニメ「君ソム」製作委員会

  • NAKED Exhibition Inspired by Tea Master Sen no Rikyu Opens at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa

    16.August.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    NAKED’s newest work, inspired by Sen no Rikyu, has opened at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa! The exhibition will run through September 3 and blends physical art pieces found in the museum with the Metaverse. 

     

    NAKED’s first exhibition at this popular Kanazawa Museum brings visitors a modern version of chanoyu, or the ‘Way of Tea.’ This year marks the 500th birthday of Sen no Rikyu, a historical figure who had a significant influence on the tea ceremony still found in Japan today. NAKED wants to honor his contribution to shaping this massive part of Japanese culture. Visitors are invited to a traditional tea ceremony room, but the experience itself has been modernized by NAKED. This unprecedented art exhibition allows both those who know nothing about Sen no Rikyu and those who know him well to experience his philosophy and aesthetics in an entirely new way.

     

    Gate: Greetings from the Master

    Open-air: The Crossroads of this Transient World

    Wash Basin: Where the Four Seasons Float

    Dry Landscape Garden: The Teachings of Rikyu

    Tea Whisk: “Make a Good Tea for your Guest.”

    Hanging Scroll: The Master’s Memories

    Small Room: Evolution

    Tearoom: The End and the Beginning

    NAKED Fuji Canele

     

     

    Tsukubai, or a low stone basin filled with water, is used to cleanse the hands before entering a tearoom. Using interactive art, the water’s surface is covered in digital flowers that blossom when a guest’s hands pass over the basin. 

     

    In the ‘Small Room: Evolution’ area, guests will find the Sustainable Contemporary Golden Tearoom, which was created by NAKED staff together with sixth graders using golden trash collected at Kanazawa University Elementary School. The calligraphy on display in the tearoom was also done by children, with the best creations selected to be included in the exhibition. The scent was produced by EarthRing, an aroma brand located in Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture. The ‘Tea Whisk’ area offers a unique experience for all five senses, including the scent of matcha, which guests can smell when they mimic the act of prepping tea. 

     

    In addition, guests can purchase special NAKED Fuji Canele and a Kutani ware Original Tumbler with special tea-inspired motifs. The Canele is a triple collaboration with Fukumitsuya, the oldest sake brewery in Kanazawa, so don’t miss out!

  • Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture Holds Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia Manga Event

    03.August.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT

    In 2023, an anime adaptation of the manga series Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia will air on television. During the Nanao Port Festival held on July 17 in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, fans were treated to tons of artwork and collaboration visuals. After all, the series takes place in Nanao City! Over 1,500 flyers for the show were handed out in under two hours, and the local community was thrilled to know that such a popular anime series would bring more attention to the town.

    As part of the collaboration between Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia and Nanao City, an exhibition will be held featuring 30 reproductions from the original manga manuscript and some original anime drawings!


    The exhibition will be held from August 10 until September 25 at Patria, located directly in front of Nanao Station and prominently featured in the series. Admission is free and reservations are not required, so fans should consider coming to check it out!

     

    Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia is the latest work by Makoto Ojiro. Set in Nanao City, the coming-of-age story follows Ganta Nakami, a high school boy suffering from insomnia, and Isaki Magari, a girl with the same issue. The manga is serialized in Weekly Big Comic Spirits.

     


    Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia will receive an anime adaptation in 2023, and a live-action film is also in the works. The first trailer for the anime series has been released, so be sure to give it a watch!

     

    ©オジロマコト・小学館/アニメ「君ソム」製作委員会

  • Wakura Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture to Hold Special Illumination, Luxurious Tea Time

    11.January.2022 | SPOT

    The Wakura Onsen Tourist Association is sponsoring a new project to illuminate Seirinji Temple, a nationally registered cultural property. Along with this light show, guests can enjoy a luxurious tea time starting on January 8, 2022. This year, the pavilion and garden will be lit up again, and the entrance will be decorated with traditional local paper lanterns. 

     

    The historic property was built in 1909 as a resting place for Emperor Taisho. Only two such buildings exist in Japan: one in Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, and the other at Wakura Onsen. Both were registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan in 2017. 

     

    Last year, the area was photographed for posters and pamphlets as part of the ‘Japanese Beauty Hokuriku’ campaign organized by JR East, JR West, and the Central JR Railway.

     

     

    Each Saturday evening through February 26, guests will be invited to enjoy a different kind of atmosphere while enjoying a very fancy tea time. The program has been very well received by visitors, so it shouldn’t be missed!

     


    The light-up of the temple and garden, with its slowly changing colors, will transport guests to another world. The entrance to Seirinji Temple will be redecorated and lit up, and a pathway of lights will be created from the gate to the entrance of the pavilion using paper lanterns.

     

  • Discover the wonder of Kanazawa with AMIAYA and ETSUNA with new “HAKKEN” videos produced by Channel 47

    16.November.2021 | BUSINESS / FASHION / FEATURES / SPOT

    Fashion icons show the modern and historical charm of Kanazawa, Japan

     

    TOKYO, JAPAN (16 November, 2021) – Channel 47, a company focused on globally promoting the appeal of local and popular Japanese culture through the power of entertainment, is excited to debut their new “HAKKEN” video series today, 16 November, highlighting the wonderful modern and historical tourism aspects of Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture. “HAKKEN” is the Japanese word for discovery, which is the core feeling this new video series is aiming to convey. Channel 47 wants toinspire viewers to discover the wonders of Japan’s local culture through these shortfilms.

     

    The debut videos feature fashion icons AMIAYA and ETSUNA (both represented by ASOBISYSTEM), each exploring a different facet of what Kanazawa has to offer curious visitors. These films were produced by Channel 47 as a part of promotional efforts for the Kanazawa Film Festival held in September of 2021. These entries in the “HAKKEN” series were informed by Channel 47’s shared philosophy with the Kanazawa Film Festival, to disseminate the culture of Japan’s countryside and promote its appeal worldwide.

     

    In the first video, twin model & singer duo AMIAYA discover the “pop” elements of the city at locations such as the Omi-machi market, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nagamachi Samurai District, and more. Along the way they sample delicacies from some of Kanazawa’s highly rated restaurants. Through their experiences viewers will see art, food, shopping, and scenery that has high appeal among visitors.

     

    Watch “HAKKEN – Discover Kanazawa with AMIAYA”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9-gD-ftTE0

     

    Find AMIAYA online

    Official Website: https://asobisystem.com/talent/amiaya/

    AMI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amixxamiaya/

    AYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayaxxamiaya/

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AMI__AYA

     

     

    In the second video, fashion designer and influencer ETSUNA takes a different approach and wanders the traditional side of Kanazawa. Starting with a stroll in the Higashi Chaya District, her journey takes her to make ceramic art at Hokutoh, and to see historic locations such as the Ishikawa Bridge, the Gyokusen’inmaru Garden, Sannomaru Square, and more. To fit the traditional theme of her visit, she visits Kimono & Antiques Soki and gets dressed for the occasion. Viewers will see through ETSUNA’s exploration the beauty and historical legacy of Kanazawa City.

     

    Watch “HAKKEN – Experience Kanazawa’s History with ETSUNA”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3h-57mhouU

     

    Find ETSUNA online

    Official Website: https://asobisystem.com/talent/etsuna/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etsunaotsuka/

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/etsuna_artist/

     

    ABOUT KANAZAWA FILM FESTIVAL

    The 15th Kanazawa Film Festival was held from September 18-20, 2021 in Theater 21 at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary art in Kanazawa. The festival has a reputation not only for the high quality of films presented each year, but also for its “New Directors with Promising Talent” program. This year 83 films were entered in the “New Directors with Promising Talent” program, and 11 of them won screening rights. The Grand Prix was awarded to MELIA’s “Experiential Tour”, for which she also received the special Channel 47 Award.

     

    More information on the Kanazawa Film Festival can be found at

     https://www.eiganokai.com/event/filmfes2021/kanazawa/

     

    ABOUT CHANNEL 47

    Channel 47 is a project that using the power of entertainment to communicate the appeal of Japan and its different regions to overseas audiences. Through planning and producing events with celebrities and personalities, Channel 47 creates content that conveys the appeal and charm of Japan’s many different regions to viewers all over the world. Channel 47 created the post-movies for the 15th Kanazawa Film Festival, held in September 2021. Additional efforts to promote the event overseas include producing

    English subtitles for “Alien Painter” which was screened as a Kanazawa Film Festival Scholarship Film.

     

    For more information about Channel 47 please contact: info@channel47.jp

  • Socially Distanced NAKED Night Walk Art Project to Open in Kaga, Ishikawa

    08.November.2021 | SPOT

    The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how many people live their lives, with fewer and fewer people venturing outdoors. Now, Japanese creative company NAKED has announced a Night Walk at the picturesque Katayamazu Hot Springs in Kaga, Ishikawa. While practicing social distancing, visitors can explore an illuminated wonderland from December 17, 2021, until January 16, 2022. 

     

    Lights of the Dragon God: Ukimidou

    Sunny Spot Baths: Katayamazu Hot Springs Sunahase Park, Aiai Plaza

    NAKED Distanced Lanterns: Katayamazu Hot Springs Sunahase Park, Aiai Plaza

    NAKED Flower Cleansing: Katayamazu Hot Springs Sunahase Park, Aiai Plaza

    The Halo of Life: Aizenji Temple

    Crystal-Dyed Paper Lanterns: Aizenji Temple

     

     

    Guests will be invited to explore the grounds while carrying a NAKED Distanced Lantern–both an art piece, and a way to illuminate your steps. With safety in mind, there will be plenty of space between visitors, so people can enjoy the event with peace of mind. 

     

    The location for the event, Katayamazu Onsen, was recently a runner-up in the Onsen General Election 2018 spectacular scenery category. Surrounded by crystal blue waters and with a beautiful view of Mt. Haku, the location will have guests feeling completely calm by the time their visit comes to an end. 

  • Gorgeous Project Mapping Event Coming to Yamashiro Onsen in Kaga, Ishikawa

    26.October.2021 | SPOT

    DMM.com will sponsor a projection mapping project titled Yamashiro Night Promenade Fall 2021 on Yamashiro Onsen Street in Kaga, Ishikawa prefecture from October 30 until November 28, 2021. 

     

    The limited-time project is being organized by the Yamashiro Onsen Tourist Association with support from DMM. Under the themes of harmony and local tradition, brilliant images of flowers, water, and geometric patterns will illuminate the hot spring resort while accompanied by music. There will also be traditional Taiko performances during the event. 

     

  • Colorful Collection of Wajima Lacquered Goods Appear at Yokohama Takashimaya

    02.October.2021 | FASHION

    An exhibition featuring artisan Hiroshi Nakakado’s unique lacquerware will be on display at Yokohama Takashimaya from September 29 until October 5, 2021. Wajima, located in Ishikawa prefecture, is home to 25,000 people, and a number of craftsmen producing Wajima-nuri, known throughout the country as some of the most durable and beautiful lacquered products in Japan. 

     

     

    Umbrella Dessert Dish: ¥31,900

    Umbrella Dessert Dish: ¥59,400

    Coffee Cup & Saucer: ¥49,500

    Pasta Bowl: ¥30,800

    Cube Vase: ¥26,400

    Umbrella Cup: ¥52,800

    Limited-Edition Takashimaya 190th Anniversary Goods | Wine Glass: ¥67,100 / Dry Lacquer Sake Cup (small): ¥33,000 / Dry Lacquer Sake Cup (medium): ¥35,200 / Oval Tray: ¥60,500

     

    Nakakado Lacquerware, established in 1928, specializes in the top coating of Wajima-nuri, the traditional lacquerware made in the small city of Wajima, in Ishikawa prefecture. Nakakado Hiroshi, a fourth-generation craftsman, is one of the leading experts on ‘colored lacquer.’ Using his unique technique, each piece is treated like a canvas and painted on appropriately. Gazing at each detailed piece, it’s easy to see that Nakakado has over 40 years of experience in his field–he has created over 100 different colors of lacquer, and continues to create modern lacquerware featuring trendy techniques such as gradation. His innovative pieces break the mold of traditional Wajima-nuri, and are beginning to become popular with younger generations. 

     

    In recent years, the production value of Wajima-nuri has begun to decline, largely due to changes in lifestyle, the aging population, and a lack of successors due to the low birth rate in Japan. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to foreign tourism, with local tourism also in a steep decline over the past year. Compared to the amount of production in 1991, the current rate is only 20%, and the number of workshops and craftsmen continues to decline year after year. 

     

    If you’re in the area, be sure to check out this exhibition highlighting one of the traditional crafting areas of Japan. Purchasing any of these items will also help revitalize Wajima city, and hopefully, bring more attention back to this fading craft. 

     

  • Imabari is a city in Ehime Prefecture that faces the Seto Inland Sea. Since olden times, it has flourished as an important location for marine traffic. It’s home to a bounty of recognised national treasures and historical heritage sights, and is also famous for its production of citrus fruits such as mikan. Japanese pop star, model, and icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu took a trip to this ancient city to discover its wonder and beauty.

     

    A Visit to the Historical Sea Route

     

     

    Oyamazumi Shrine

    A ‘power spot’ revered by prominent people

    Oyamazumi Shrine has been revered by prominent figures throughout history as a place dedicated to the god of the mountain, god of the ocean, and the god of war. It’s home to numerous Important Cultural Properties which are available for viewing by the public such as the armour worn by the military commander Minamoto no Yoshitsune when the Minamoto clan won the Genpei War (1180-1185), armour worn by women, and more. The shrine is also a notable power spot for the ancient tree that has stood there for 2,600 years and is now recognised as a natural monument of Japan. Power spots are places in Japan where the spiritually-inclined draw energy from.

     

    Information

    Oyamazumi Shrine

    Address: 3327 Omishimacho Miyaura, Imabari, Ehime 794-1393, Japan

    TEL: 0897-82-0032

    Opening Hours: Sunrise to 17:00

    National Treasure Building: 8:30-17:00 (Last Entries 16:30)

    Official Website: https://oomishimagu.jp/

     

    Kurushima Kaikyo Service Area

    Lip-smacking food aplenty

    If you’re one for great views, then the Kurushima Kaikyo service area is a must-visit, offering a panoramic look at the Kurushima Strait of the Seto Inland Sea. The service area is very well know particularly for the Jaguchi Mikan Juice, something of a city legend in Ehime where you can enjoy fresh mikan juice straight from a tap. You can also tuck a rice bowl dish made with tachiuo hairtail caught in the Seto Inland Sea that’s made to look like Kurushima Kaikyō Bridge, or try Imabari’s soul food dish: the Imabari Yakibuta Tamago Meshi, a pork, egg, and rice bowl. Don’t pass up the chance to snap a photo at the designated photo spot with the Seto Inland Sea in the back either like Kyary above.

     

    Information

    Kurushima Kaikyo Service Area

    Address: 3-9-68 Ohamacho, Imabari, Ehime, 794-0002, Japan

    Food Court: [Weekdays] 8:00-21:00 / [Weekends & Holidays] 7:00-22:00

    Shops: [Weekdays] 8:00-21:00 / [Weekends & Holidays] 7:00-22:00

    Outside Shopping Area & Cafes: [Weekdays] 9:00-17:00 / [Weekends & Holidays] 9:00-18:00

    Official Website: https://www.jb-highway.co.jp/sapa/kurushima.php

     

    Murakami Suigun Museum

    Dedicated to the Imabari heroes who protected the ocean


    Murakami Suigun Museum is dedicated to kaizoku—pirates, or lords of the sea—something which conjures to mind villainy or bad guys, but the Murakami pirates were also considered heroes who helped maintain order and protect the sea during the Sengoku warring period of Japan. The museum features many displays of Murakami family treasures including the battle surcoat which the pirate leader wore over his armour, proudly bearing the Murakami family crest. Visitors can wear replicas of this coat, which Kyary tired herself: “Now I’m sorta like a military commander too,” she said.

     

    Information 

    Murakami Suigun Museum

    Address: 1285 Miyakubocho Miyakubo, Imabari, Ehime 794-2203, Japan
    TEL: 0897-74-1065

    Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00

    Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday if the Monday falls on a public holiday) / New Year Holidays (Dec 29-Jan 3)

    Official Website: https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/museum/suigun/

     

    Roadside Station Yoshiumi Iki-iki-kan

    A bundle of fun and entertainment in one place

    Roll on up to Roadside Station Yoshiumi Iki-iki-kan to enjoy a shichirin BBQ feast with fresh seafood caught in the Seto Inland Sea while gazing out across Kurushima Kaikyo. This building complex serves as a resting spot and is also the perfect place to purchase local souvenirs including Ehime specialty products. It’s also famous for its offering the chance to board a boat to ride around Kurushima Kaikyo, renting out bicycles, and more. You’ll also be able to meet Koro-chan, a popular fish who has lived there for 30 years.

     

    Information

    Roadside Station Yoshiumi Iki-iki-kan

    Address: 4520-2 Yoshiumichomyo, Imabari, Ehime 794-2114, Japan

    TEL: 0897-84-3710

    Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00

    Restaurant: 10:00-16:00 (Last Orders 15:00)

    Closed: New Year’s Day (and certain days in winter)

    Official Website: http://www.imabari-shimanami.jp/ikiiki/

     

    Dolphin Farm Shimanami

    Meet the cute and friendly dolphins

     

    Dolphin Farm Shimanami, which is connected to Hakata Beach, is the best and biggest place in Japan to interact with dolphins. Visitors can get close to them and the dolphins will show off their tricks and skills. There’s even a car camping area you can stay at.

     

    Information

    Dolphin Farm Shimanami

    Address: 1673 Hakatacho Kanoura, Imabari, Ehime 794-2302, Japan

    TEL: 0897-72-8787

    Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00

    Closed: On days with bad weath

    Official Website: https://www.df-shimanami.com/

     

    Hakata Beach

    A white sandy beach rolling out 200-meters 

     

     

    Hakata Beach is located at the base of Oshima Bridge in Hakata. The beach is famous for its salt which is best tried on their popular sweet-tasting sea salt ice cream.

     

    Information

    Hakata Beach

    Address: 1668-1 Hakatacho Kanoura, Imabari, Ehime 794-2302, Japan

    Sea Bathing: Early July – Late August

    Official Website: https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/kanko/spot/?a=198

     

    Imabari Towels

    High quality towels woven with tradition and technique

     

    Imabari is the biggest producer of towels in Japan. Even their white towels alone have countless types you can choose from, allowing you to pick which level of softness and comfort you want. The iconic brand logo is also impactful, capturing the quality, production, and enthusiasm that the makes have for the product. Kyary herself uses them all the time!

     

    Information 

    Imabari Towel

    Official Website: https://www.imabaritowel.jp/

     

    Sunrise Itoyama

    Need a bike?

    Sunrise Itoyama, located in the Imabari Central Cycling Terminal, is a rental bicycle service that has bikes and helmets for everyone’s needs. Rent out a bike and ride the Shimanami Sea Route which connects Ehime and Hiroshima with a series of bridges that hop across the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

     

    Information 

    Sunrise Itoyama

    Address: 2-8-1 Sunabacho, Imabari, Ehime 794-0001, Japan

    TEL: 0898-41-3196

    Rent-a-Cycle Details: https://www.sunrise-itoyama.jp/archives/rentacycle/

    Official Website: https://www.sunrise-itoyama.jp/

     

    Marutomi

    The famous restaurant known to every local

    If you want the real experience of Imabari’s yakitori soul food, you should visit Marutomi, a yakitori eatery. Imabari yakitori is different from the usual Japanese yakitori as it doesn’t come skewered. Instead, the chicken is cut into small pieces and fried that way. One of the most popular ways to have it is with the skin on so the outside is crunchy and the inside succulent. It goes perfect with a cup of sake too.

     

    Information 

    Marutomi

    2-3-6 Katayama, Imabari, Ehime 794-0063, Japan

    TEL: 0898-23-2740

    Opening Hours: 17:30-22:00

    Closed: Wednesdays

    Official Website: https://maru-marutomi.jp/

     

    Imabari Castle

    A castle by the sea

    Imabari Castle, built by the daimyo Tōdō Takatora, is known famously as one of Japan’s three “Castles on the Sea” and was also listed in Japan’s Top 100 Castles. When it was first constructed, boats could enter the moat from the ocean. It’s a site that breathes the prosperity that Imabari has enjoyed as a significant location for maritime traffic, the same Imabari that the Murakami pirates sought to protect. Head on up to the top of the castle to stand on the observation deck and gaze at an unbroken view of the city.

     

    Information

    Imabari Castle

    Address: 3-1-3 Toricho, Imabari, Ehime, 794-0036, Japan

    TEL: 0898-31-9233

    Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00

    Closed: December 29 – December 31

    Official Website: https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/museum/imabarijo/

     

    Kirosan Observatory Park

    A breathtaking spectacle to remember

    Kirosan Observatory Park is officially recognised by Setonaikai National Park. Standing atop the observation deck fills the eyes with wonder as they gaze upon a panoramic stretch of Imabari, the Seto Inland Sea, and Kurushima Kaikyo all at once. Kyary wrapped up her time in Imabari here as the sunset coloured the sky and sea in warm evening hues.

     

    Information 

    Kirosan Observatory Park

    Address: 487-4 Yoshiumicho Minamiura, Imabari, Ehime 794-2115, Japan

    No Fixed Holidays

    Open 24-hours a day

    Official Website: https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/kanko/spot/?a=182

     

    Imabari Tourism Information: https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/kanko/

     

    We hope you enjoyed joining Kyary on her adventures across Imabari, and perhaps she even got you a little curious in wanting to visit the city yourself. It’s a treasure trove filled with vistas by the sea, in nature, and in the city itself with its Important Cultural Properties. Food is also a big part of travel for many people, so you can rest assured that your belly will be satisfied in Imabari as you try their speciality mikan, fresh seafood fished in the Seto Inland Sea, and more.

  • All About Matsuyama | Final Episode: Introducing the New Matsuyama Tourist Information Centre

    30.May.2021 | FEATURES / SPOT

    The reception staff are ready and waiting to greet customers with a smile

     

    The all new Matsuyama Tourist Information Centre finally opened in the heart of Matsuyama—the capital city of Ehime Prefecture in Japan—in Okaido on May 27. You’ll find it on the first floor of Matsuyama Mitsukoshi which isn’t even a one-minute walk from Okaido Station. It features an interior fusion combining history and culture with a design inspired by Matsuyama Castle while also throwing in a contemporary feel.

    Six giant screens serve as the perfect place for tourism-related PR of Matsuyama

    The first sight many visitors will lay their eyes on upon entering the information centres are the six screens spanning 1.5 meters high and 4.5 meters across the wall. Here, a variety of promotional material centred on the highlights of Matsuyama will be displayed.

     

    The information centre offers many useful services, including for foreign customers who don’t speak Japanese. There is a translation and interpreting service, money exchange, rental electrical outlets for smart devices, and more. The staff themselves are multilingual, but the interpreting service includes access to a call centre which you can access using the free WiFi or using an iPad. The availability of foreign currency exchange is also extremely beneficial as Matsuyama is a city abundant with long-standing shops that have been around for decades and longer. Another convenience with the centre is easy access to public transport. If you’re looking to travel around the prefecture, we recommend paying a visit to the centre first as it’s sure to provide valuable information. You can even rent mobile batteries for your smartphone to lessen the stress when sightseeing.

    The pictogram shows the many handy services available

    Visitors will also find a comprehensive duty-free counter inside the information centre which covers all stores in Okaido, Gintengai, Matsuchika Town, Dogo Shoten, and Ropeway Shotengai. You must spend over ¥5,000 (before tax) on products to be duty-free eligible. Since it’s a comprehensive service, if you have multiple receipts you can be exempt from tax as long as all your receipts exceed ¥5,000. Participating stores have special stickers plastered up inside so tourists can quickly and easily identify them.

    Stores participating in the duty-free service have stickers and signs to show it

    For example, if you spend ¥500 at participating stores in Dogo Shotengai, ¥1,000 in Okaido Shopping Street, and ¥3,500 in Gintengai Shotengai, and take all three of those receipts adding up to ¥5,000 to the information centre, you can get your items duty free. But keep in mind that the receipts have a validity period on them, so be sure to check opening hours.

     

    The Matsuyama Tourist Information Centre serves as the perfect site for bringing in all kinds of tourists, including foreign travellers, to Matsuyama post-COVID. The information also goes by the cute nickname “Dan Dan info.” Dan dan is an old Ehime phrase meaning “thank you” and ties in with the smiling and hospitable welcome staff wish to greet guests with. It’s exciting to look into the future and see how Matsuyama’s tourism and economic growth will develop in its shopping districts, stores, and elsewhere. Make one of your first stops the Matsuyama Tourist Information Centre when visiting the city.

  • All About Matsuyama | Episode 8: Souvenirs Are Part of Matsuyama’s Fun and Are Everywhere

    29.May.2021 | FEATURES / FOOD / SPOT

    The all new Matsuyama Tourist Information Centre opened in the heart of Matsuyama—the capital city of Ehime Prefecture in Japan—in Okaido on May 27. In celebration of its opening, this new featured series by MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON will explore the wonders of Matsuyama, a city abundant with places to shop, leisurely hot spots, must-visit restaurants, and opportunities to dive deep into its history and culture. You’re sure to discover something new and exciting about Matsuyama in this series.

    From tasty treats to home and lifestyle goods, Matsuyama has no shortage of souvenirs

    Popular sightseeing spots and delicious food you can’t get anywhere else—these are all part of the fun experience to be had when travelling. To wrap up your time there and memorialise all that’s happened, nothing’s better than picking up a little souvenir. In Episode 8 of All About Matsuyama, we take a look at the many wonderful items you can take home with you as souvenirs from food to traditional handicrafts, special dyed fashion and accessories, and more. MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON has picked out a range of delightful treats like Matsuyama’s famous tartes, jakoten, three-colour botchan dango as well as Tobe ware porcelain which is an Ehime tradition, and iyo-kasuri fabric which is one of Japan’s three main kasuri fabrics.

     

    First on the list is the ‘tarte,’ a speciality product of Shikoku which is more of a sponge cake. They’re made of a soft and fluffy sesame seed-coloured sponge and coarse red bean paste. A famous treat of Matsuyama, you can find these tarts just about anywhere in Okaido Shopping Street, near Dogo Onsen, and elsewhere.

     

    Jakoten is considered a soul food of Ehime Prefecture. It’s made from fish that are blended into a paste and fried. You can find jakoten everywhere in Matsuyama, but every restaurant serves theirs with different textures and flavours. Many places fry them fresh, so be sure to try a bunch to compare the flavours and then you can decide which to buy as a souvenir. There are even places so popular that they have lines outside them before they even open.

     

    The botchan dango is something many of our readers have probably seen or heard about. These three-coloured skewered dango are served bite-sized, cute enough to snap a photo of. The ones sold at Dogo Onsen are something of a speciality. They have their name from Natsume Soseki’s novel Botchan. You’ll find them all around Dogo Shotengai.

     

    Tobe ware is a traditional type of porcelain from Tobe in Ehime, known for its smooth touch and durability. This traditional porcelain has been handed down from old times until today, and in recent years, ceramists have been hammering out their own unique shapes, so have become popular as stylish, everyday use lifestyle items.

     

    You can’t talk about Ehime’s traditional craftwork without mentioning iyo-kasuri fabric. Matsuyama used to have huge production output of this fabric type, which stands as one of three of Japan’s most famous kasuri fabrics alongside kurume-gasuri from Fukuoka and bingo-kasuri from Hiroshima. Production has dwindled in modern times, but if you go to Art Labo KASURI Rekishikan, you can learn all about iyo-kasuri. There are lots of gorgeous iyo-kasuri products to buy like cute pouches, bags, and more.

     

    And that’s our list of must-grab souvenirs. There are of course endless other things you can get your hands on, so if you’re lost on what to pick up, try asking at the Matsuyama Tourist Information Centre.

     

    Stay tuned for the next and final episode of All About Matsuyama.

  • All About Matsuyama | Episode 7: Mitsuhama Port is a Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane

    29.May.2021 | FEATURES / FOOD / SPOT

    The all new Matsuyama Tourist Information Centre is set to open in the heart of Matsuyama—the capital city of Ehime Prefecture in Japan—in Okaido on May 27. In celebration of its opening, this new featured series by MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON will explore the wonders of Matsuyama, a city abundant with places to shop, leisurely hot spots, must-visit restaurants, and opportunities to dive deep into its history and culture. You’re sure to discover something new and exciting about Matsuyama in this series.

    The Mitsu Ferry, managed by Matsuyama City, has been running for over 500 years

    We’ve covered much about the land in this series, so in Episode 7 of All About Matsuyama, we’re heading to the sea. Mitsuhama Port sits in the western part of Matsuyama, Ehime. Mitsuhama is a port town that flourished during and following the Edo Period as the ‘front door to the ocean.’ Visiting the town is a trip down memory lane as there are still pseudo Western-style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods that suffered damage from the war, as well as traditional Japanese houses, and more. The Mitsuhama Shotengai shopping district was once a bustling place for the fishing and trade industries. Today, buildings have been renovated and taken on new managers who have turned places into stylish cafes, galleries, and other businesses, creating a quaint mix of new and old.

     

    Matsuhama Port is a 15-minute car ride from Matsuyama Station, which itself is connected to other must-visit spots we’ve covered in this series such as Matsuchika Town and Gintengai. If you’re looking for a place to walk around, the port area is somewhere you can really stretch your legs. It’s right outside Mitsu Station from where you can see Mitsuhama Shotengai lined with concrete shops. The street has an old-timey Japanese nostalgic feeling to it. The number of young people frequenting the local shops and houses that have been renovated into various stores is on the rise which is changing its image from a former port town to a hip place to go for shopping. In the summer there are firework festivals and events held by the shopping district, so it’s quickly becoming one of Matsuyama’s new tourist spots.

    A luxurious sea bream meshi-zen set meal

    If you’re strolling through Mitsuhama Shotengai, one place we absolutely want to recommend people visit is Taimeshi, a restaurant that set up shop inside a Japanese house that’s registered as a Tangible Cultural Property. They have only one order on the menu as pictured above: the Taimeshi-Zen, a sea bream set meal, which is made even more enjoyable by the restaurant’s elegant decor.

    Mitsuyamayaki is a fast food delicacy of Mitsuhama

    Everyone needs to try the local fried food as well. The most popular is their okonomiyaki, a common food in Japan. However, the type served in Mitsuhama, known as Mitsuhamayaki, is a little different from the Osaka or Hiroshima styles. They load the batter with noodles and garnish with chikuwa fish-paste, an ingredient long-loved in Mitsuhama, and the secret ingredient—fish flakes. Beef is used as the meat filling. The result is the kind of flavours you’d imagine tucking into in a port down. Each restaurant that serves Mitsuhamayaki serves theirs with their own original sauces too, so no two places will be exactly the same. Try several to compare the tastes.

     

    Something else that can’t be passed up when visiting Mitsuhama is the Mitsu Ferry, a boat with a 500-year history that rides up and down the river and is free of charge. Not only has it been used since the Muromachi Period for transporting goods, it also enjoys 40,000 passengers every year having been recognised as a tourist spot in recent years.

     

    Baishinji Station, which is right next to Minatoyama Station and is how you get to the Mitsu Ferry, is known for being the location of the final episode of the 1991 Japanese drama series Tokyo Love Story. There, visitors can also gaze at the gorgeous view of the Seto Inland Sea, pay a visit to Baishinji Garden to enjoy the plum and cherry blossoms, and more.

     

    Matsuyama is vast and full of many places to enjoy. Mitsuhama is one of these locations and is easily accessed by train from the city centre. It’s a tranquil place where you can feel both the preserved old atmosphere and the modern changes. It’s sure to continue growing as one of the city’s must-visit sightseeing spots.

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