The Shimahime Ride: a digital stamp rally and photo contest exploring Ehime Prefecture by bicycle.
Former professional road racer Yoshimitsu Tsuji spent two days and one night touring the route to discover its spots, highlights and delights. First, we introduce the course from Saijō City to Imabari City on Day 1.
★ indicates a registered spot for the Shimahime Ride.
Contents
Shimahime Ride
Shimahime Ride is a digital stamp rally and photo contest organised through collaboration between Ehime Prefecture and the cities of Matsuyama, Imabari, Saijō, and the town of Kamijima.
It operates across three areas: the Shimanami/Yumeshima area, the Imabari/Matsuyama area, and the Imabari/Saijō area.
For the digital stamp rally, download the smartphone app ‘SpotTour’. Scan the QR codes placed at registered spots to collect stamps. Collecting stamps also enters you into a prize draw for luxurious gifts.
For the photo contest, submit photos taken while cycling in any of the four municipalities (Matsuyama City, Imabari City, Saijō City, Kamijima Town) via Instagram. Winning entries receive luxurious prizes.
From Osaka Minami Port to Ehime Toyo Port
Departing Osaka Minami Port at 22:00, the Orange Ferry heads for Toyo Port in Ehime Prefecture.
Orange Ferry offers rooms where you can bring your bicycle, making it a popular choice for cyclists. Onboard facilities include a restaurant, a large observation bath, and a vending machine area, where you can also enjoy local Ehime specialities.
Boarding begins at 20:00 with departure at 22:00, making it convenient for those travelling from the Kansai region to catch the ferry after work with plenty of time to spare.
Photo provided by: Orange Ferry
★Orange Ferry Toyo Port
The Orange Ferry arrives at Toyo Port at 6:00 am. You may relax on board until 7:00 am. Disembark with your bicycle and take your time preparing at the ferry terminal.
Once ready, begin your cycle ride from Toyo Port Ferry Terminal.
Exploring Saijō City’s Attractions
Located in eastern Ehime Prefecture, Saijō City boasts abundant natural beauty. Home to Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, and plains facing the Seto Inland Sea, it is rich in water resources and is also known as the “City of Water”.
Saijo’s Venice
Heading east from Toyo Port, crossing the Nakayama River and following the embankment towards the Seto Inland Sea, the beautiful scenery of the Otome River appears, nestled between the mouths of the Kamo and Nakayama Rivers.
This place is known as “Saijo’s Venice” due to its resemblance to the Italian city of water, Venice.
Ryū Shrine
Running for one kilometre with the Otome River to your right and the Seto Inland Sea to your left brings you to Ryū Shrine, founded to guard the inauspicious direction of the Teizu New Reclaimed Land.
Its main hall, built as if floating upon the Otome River, is a distinctive feature, offering beautiful views over the surrounding pine forests and Mount Ishizuchi.
Kamo Shrine
Along the Kamo River flowing into the Seto Inland Sea, Kamo Shrine stands with its torii gate on the embankment.
Descending the stone steps towards the main hall within the shrine grounds, you’ll find a spring selected as the “most delicious water” at the National Water Tasting Competition. Locally cherished as “divine water”, it is a beloved local treasure.
Uchinuki Park
Uchinuki Park is a square created to commemorate the water of “Uchinuki”, selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Waters. Saijō City possesses abundant underground water from the Ishizuchi Mountain Range, known locally as “Uchinuki”.
It is a luxurious spot where you can fill your own bottle with this cold, delicious, famous water.
This abundant, high-quality natural spring water nourishes the paddy fields, creating a beautiful rural landscape.
★Saijō City Tourism Exchange Centre
The Saijō City Tourism Exchange Centre is a tourist information and local products/souvenir sales facility located near JR Yosan Line Saijō Station. Inside the building, a danjiri float from the annual autumn Saijō Festival is on display.
Additionally, bicycle hire is available here.
★Itomachi Market
Approximately 2km north of Saijō City Tourism Exchange Centre lies the Itomachi Market, selling fresh local vegetables, various famous confectionery from Ehime Prefecture, Tobe pottery, glass crafts, and Imabari towel products.
The grounds feature expansive lawns and waterside areas, creating a wonderfully open atmosphere. First, cool down with a cold drink and jelly purchased at the market.
Then, enjoy lunchtime at the on-site restaurant, Er Bisteccaro ito. Its lunch menu, featuring Italian cuisine that makes excellent use of Saijō ingredients, is very popular.
★Yukimoto Farm
Head west from Itomachi Marche for about 12km to Tanbara-chō, Saijō City. First, enjoy dessert time at Yukimoto Farm’s Farm Café.
In the café space within the greenhouse, you can relax and take a break while viewing seasonal fruits.
Enjoy shaved ice made with Yukimoto Farm’s prized strawberries, surrounded by abundant grapes.
★Kira-ri Orchard Grape Vineyard
Whilst cycling through Tanbara Town’s orchards, we also visit the Kira-ri Orchard Grape Vineyard.
The couple who meticulously cultivate these delicious fruits also sell them. During harvest season, you can purchase tasty fruit, so please check availability and book in advance before visiting.
Leaving Tanbara Town’s tranquil scenery behind, we cycle 10km towards the Seto Inland Sea.
Kawara-tsu Beach
Pushing my bicycle onto the sandy shore of Kawara-tsu Beach.
At low tide, the tranquil sandy beach offers the opportunity to enjoy taking photographs using the water’s surface as a mirror.
★Holiday Village Setouchi Toyo
Holiday Village Setouchi Toyo is situated on a scenic hillside overlooking the sea, northwest of Saijō City. While a popular overnight destination, it also welcomes visitors for day trips, such as lunch.
Enjoy drinks purchased within the facility on the terrace with its splendid views.
Below the facility lies Kawarazu Beach, renowned for its beautiful tidal flats at low tide.
Imabari City’s attractions and accommodation
★Roadside Station Imabari Yunoura Onsen
Located just as you enter Imabari City from Saijō City, Roadside Station Imabari Yunoura Onsen.
It offers comprehensive tourist information for Imabari City. Obtain information and head to Imabari.
★Imabari Castle
Travel approximately 10km along Prefectural Route 38 to reach Imabari Castle.
Imabari Castle is a coastal castle built by Tōdō Takatora, renowned as a master castle builder. Its wide moat, surrounding stone walls, and restored keep, turrets, and castle gates present a magnificent and beautiful sight. The comprehensive exhibitions inside the buildings and the spectacular views of the Shimanami Kaidō from the top floor of the keep are also highlights.
★Imabari Station Front Tourist Information Centre/i.i.imabari! Cycle Station
Upon arrival at JR Imabari Station, proceed to the Imabari Station Front Tourist Information Centre.
The cycling terminal ‘i.i.imabari! Cycle Station’ offers comprehensive facilities for cyclists, including changing rooms and shower facilities, alongside bicycle washing, assembly, and maintenance services.
Bicycle hire is available here, with approximately 100 cross bikes and similar models provided. You can also drop off your hire bike at any terminal along the Shimanami Japan route.
This concludes the cycling for Day 1. Accommodation is available at the hotel immediately adjacent.
JR Clement Inn Imabari
Accommodation is at JR Clement Inn Imabari, near JR Imabari Station.
Rooms are available that permit bicycles, hence the bicycle symbol is displayed on the lift. Dedicated racks are fitted to the room walls, allowing you to unwind after a day’s cycling alongside your cherished bicycle.
Imabari also boasts several other cyclist-friendly accommodation options.
Attracted by Ehime Prefecture’s character “Dark Mikyan”
At Itomachi Marche, Tsuji Yoshimitsu’s attention was caught by “Dark Mikyan” – the mischievous counterpart to Ehime Prefecture’s promotional mascot “Mikyan”. First, he affixed a jelly packaging sticker to his helmet.
In the lobby of Kyukamura Setouchi Toyo, he found a guaranteed-win lottery and brilliantly secured a fourth prize.
The day ended with a two-shot photo.
The ‘Dark Mikyan’ that captivated him looks set to become his cycling companion for day two.
Course Introduction
Distance: 63.8km Elevation Gain (Up): 306m
Orange Ferry
Ryu Shrine
Kamo Shrine
Uchinuki Park
Saijo City Tourism Exchange Center
Itomachi Marche
Yukimoto Farm
Kirari Orchard Vineyard
Kyuka Mura Setouchi Toyo
Imabari Yunoura Onsen Roadside Station
Imabari Castle
Imabari Station Tourist Information Center
i.i.imabari! Cycle Station
JR Clement Inn Imabari
Summary
The charm of Saijō City truly lies in its water. True to its reputation as the City of Water, it offers not only refreshingly cold, delicious water but also the myriad beautiful landscapes water creates.
The route introduced here is approximately 63km long with an elevation gain of just 308m, meaning few hills and making it suitable even for beginners. From the Kansai region, using the Orange Ferry allows you to start cycling from Toyo Port early in the morning, making the most of your day.
Imabari City offers numerous accommodation options, making it a convenient base for cycling. We’ll report on Imabari City’s attractions again on Day 2.
Do check the Shimahime Ride homepage, enjoy the digital stamp rally in the Imabari and Saijo area, and enter the photo contest.
Advertiser: Ehime Prefecture Tourism, Sports, and Culture Department, Tourism Exchange Bureau, Cycling New Culture Promotion Division
Photography and Writing: Yasushi Hanada (TABIRIN Editorial Department)
