Imabari, Port city in Ehime Prefecture, Japan
Imabari is a port city in Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, stretching along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. The city includes several islands of the Geiyo archipelago and connects urban districts with rural fishing villages through a series of bridges.
The Murakami clan controlled this region during the Sengoku period and used the position to oversee important trade routes. In 1604, Todo Takatora received orders from Tokugawa Ieyasu to build a castle here that would secure trade across the inland sea.
The name combines two old words pointing to its past as a sheltered harbor bay. Visitors can explore museums displaying regional pirate traditions and local seafaring culture through artifacts and reconstructed ship models.
The port offers regular ferry connections to surrounding islands, which you can reach on foot, by bicycle, or by car. Many islands feature simple walking trails along the coast as well as smaller viewpoints overlooking the sea.
The Shimanami Kaido cycling route runs over nine bridges and connects the city with Hiroshima Prefecture through a chain of islands. Cyclists often share the paths with pedestrians while enjoying views of smaller islands and open water.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
