Imabari, Port city in Ehime Prefecture, Japan
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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Photo license: CC BY 2.0
Photo license: CC BY 2.0
Ōyamazumi Shrine
20.3 km
Imabari Castle
893 m
Kōsan-ji
27.7 km
Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge
6.1 km
Arigato Service Dream Stadium
4.8 km
Ōkunoshima Poison Gas Museum
26.7 km
Noshima
15.1 km
Tatara Bridge
22.4 km
Mitarai
17.4 km
Shikoku Railway Cultural Center
24.5 km
Nankou-bou
343 m
Iyokokubun-ji
5.1 km
Towel Museum Ichihiro
11.3 km
Ehime Prefectural Science Museum
28.7 km
Senyuu-ji
6.2 km
Enmei-ji
3.1 km
Koryu-ji
18 km
Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art
28 km
Taisan-ji
2.8 km
Ikku-jinja
28.5 km
Ikuchi Bridge
30 km
Amazaki Castle
20.6 km
Mount Kirō
6.8 km
Kōjō-ji
28 kmChâteau de Kaneko
29 km
Eifuku-ji
4.5 km
Ikiki no Gomon
20.2 kmThird Kurushima Kaikyō Bridge
5.6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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