Ehime Prefecture - Prefettura di Ehime

Ehime Prefecture (愛媛 県, Ehime-ken) is a prefecture of the island of Shikoku.

To know

Geographical notes

Located in the northwestern part of Shikoku, Ehime overlooks the Seto Inland Sea. Ehime prefecture borders the Kagawa Prefecture to the north-east, la Tokushima Prefecture to the east and the Kōchi Prefecture to the southeast. The nearby prefectures of Hiroshima is Oita they are not bordering but a short ferry ride away.

The prefecture includes both high mountains in the interior region and a long coastline, with many islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The westernmost arm of Ehime, the Sadamisaki Peninsula, is the narrowest peninsula in Japan.

Background

Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime Prefecture was known as the province of Iyo (伊 予). Since before the Heian period, the area was dominated by fishermen and sailors who played an important role in the defense of the Japan from pirates and invasions Mongolian.

After the battle of Sekigahara, the Tokugawa shōgun ceded the area to his allies, including Katō Yoshiaki who built the castle of Matsuyama, forming the foundation for the modern city of Matsuyama.

The name Ehime comes from the kuniumi part of Kojiki where the province of Iyo is mythologically called Ehime, "lovely princess".

In 2012, a research group from the University of Tokyo and Ehime University said they discovered rare earth deposits in Matsuyama.

Spoken languages

The Iyo dialect is a dialect Japanese spoken in Ehime prefecture. Nanyo is influenced by the Kyushu dialect, while Chuyo and Toyo are influenced by the Kinki dialect.

Territories and tourist destinations

Urban centers

Other destinations

How to get

By plane

• Matsuyama Airport (IATA: MYJ). With internal service from several major cities and international service from Seoul, Shanghai is Taipei. 

By bus

You can take bus to reach Matsuyama.

By bike

Shimanami Kaido Bike Path is a 70km route on dedicated bike paths, which connects Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture with Imabari to Ehime.

How to get around

What see

The Ehime History and Culture Museum it mainly presents the history and folklore of Ehime prefecture in general and its southern region in particular.

What to do

Among the souvenirs that can be purchased stand out the bamboo artifacts which are a specialty of Ehime, renowned for their durability and beauty.

The Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival held for three days, with a parade of many Ushi-oni walking around the city, a traditional Uwajima dance, a fireworks display and a run on the last day.

Niihama Taiko Festival is the autumn festival of Niihama . The drum stand is raised by about 150 men. It is one of the three largest wrestling festivals in Japan.

The Autumn Festival of Matsuyama includes a mikoshi event called Hachiawase (鉢 合 わ せ) which takes place near Dōgo Onsen and the Isaniwa Shrine.

At the table

Drinks

Pon Juice is a famous 100% fresh orange juice.

Safety

Useful information

• Ehime Prefectural Information Center (EPIC, 愛媛 県 国際 交流 セ ン タ ー), 1-1 Dogo Ichiman (Iyotetsu tram or bus to Minamimachi / Kenminbunka Kaikan Mae. It is behind the Ehime Prefectural Cultural Hall), ☎ 81 89-917-5678. Mon-Sat 08: 30-17: 00. Internet access, study rooms and bike rental. 

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Ehime Prefecture
• Commons contains images or other files on Ehime Prefecture

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