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Feb 20, 2026

What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture?

Today, February 20th, is Ehime Prefecture Day. What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture, what is the very first thing that comes to mind when I say "Ehime Prefecture"!?

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BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

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18 Answers

  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Feb 21

    Probably Dogo Onsen for me, since I feel like it's a real historical icon of the prefecture! Another thing though is a random spot I visited there which claimed to be the "Machu Picchu" of Japan called Minetopia Besshi. It's one of the few times living here that I've been disappointed in a destination...definitely overselling it by calling it that!

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Feb 21

    Oh, and citrus fruit! I remember reading once that Ehime produces the most citrus fruit in all of Japan which is a pretty cool claim to fame!

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Feb 21

    For me, it's the scent of orange blossoms in spring. Where I come from, citrus orchards aren't a thing. A close second is Tobe-yaki ceramics. They have appealing shapes and swirling designs.

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Feb 21

    @genkidesu Minetopia Besshi wasn't even on my list of things to see in Ehime Prefecture. It's historical, sure, but other than the onsen and some scenery, not that interesting.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Feb 23

    @TonetoEdo it was a very random stop and I still laugh at how they marketed it! I looked up the Tobe-yaki pottery and it's beautiful! I'm going to add a question in the Q&A about everyone's favorite pottery types here so I can get some more inspiration.

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Feb 23

    Other things that come to mind when I think about Ehime Prefecture are castle towns and historical districts. Matsuyama, Ozu, Uchiko, and Yokaichi are marvelous for time travel.

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Feb 23

    An Australian news publication is getting into the Ehime spirit too, highlighting it as a place in Japan to visit without the crowds: https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/the-delightful-region-of-japan-tourists-haven-t-discovered-yet-20260206-p5o073.html

    2
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Feb 23

    @genkidesu we have one of them in Saitama too - a place pitched as "Machu Picchu" and a total overreach!

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Feb 24

    @BigfamJapan I'll have to Google the Saitama one and see how it compares to Ehime's! I'll see if I can find the photos of the Ehime one and write a blog about it if I can!

    0
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Feb 24

    @genkidesu lol at myself - my bad, its not machu picchu we have, its Cappadocia!!!

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Feb 25

    @BigfamJapan I found it! It still looks unique and interesting to check out, but I do think it being branded as Japan's Cappadocia is another oversell!

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  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Feb 25

    @genkidesu sorry, I should have shared that it was the 100 caves, I wasn't thinking - but interesting that you could find it with "Saitama Cappadocia"!

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Feb 25

    @BigfamJapan haha yes, the blogger in question actually had written it in their title! https://donnykimball.com/yoshimi-caves-5f0d16a98949

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Mar 13

    While I was looking up Imabari towels, I tripped over Iyo Kasuri, a traditional textile. I recently bought an Imabari towel handkerchief on Amazon Japan featuring folk patterns. I used to live there, and for gifts to bring back to my family, I brought coasters, handbags, and other small items made from the textile. Japan likes to rank things, and Iyo Kasuri is one of the three, along with Kurume and Bingo Kasuri.

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Mar 15

    @genkidesu That article scratches the surface. Ehime Prefecture is loaded with historical places and nature retreats. I'm tempted to go this year for a deep dive.

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Apr 24

    BTW, a whacky one. Orange juice on tap at Matsuyama Airport! People joke about how Ehime Prefecture waterworks spout citrus juice. So the airport goes all out with a mikan juice spigot. https://www.google.com/search?q=matsuyama+airport+orange+juice&sca_esv=d855ddeff0d9d054&rlz=1CASNDZ_enJP1206&sxsrf=ANbL-n470FiYjifK8lEcIgy_W9qPsy21CA:1777036217757&source=lnt&tbs=qdr:y&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiyuozkx4aUAxVv8DQHHUbHJT4QpwV6BAgGEAo&biw=1366&bih=647&dpr=1#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:f4013655,vid:cLOBVR2Qn28,st:0

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Apr 28

    @ToneToEdo that's such a fun thing for both tourists and locals alike. I'd love to see more prefectures embrace having their "local" beverage on tap. I can see it happening for things like Hokkaido dairy, or various sake types from different regions...obviously it would have to be regulated if it was alcoholic!

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Apr 28

    @genkidesu Ooh! Shiikuwaasaa from Okinawa comes to mind!

    0

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