Kuma / Uchiko / Tobe / Hirota / Iyo-shi / Futami / Nakayama
Chuo A
Incorporating the cities and towns of Masaki, Iyo, Uchiko, Tobe and Kumakogencho.
RA:Dustin Borg
Placement: Uchiko
Phone: 089 344 2114
Kuma
(population: approximately 7,000)
Location
Kuma is a small town known for forestry, located in the moutainous regiousn south-west of Matsuyama.
Getting There
| By bus | By car |
|---|
| 1 hour regular buses depart from JR station | 1 hour |
*All times are from Matsuyama.
Tourism
Home of Kuma Ski Land a great place to visit during the winter months. Its one of the better ski fields in Ehime and the easiest one to access without a car. (December 1st February 28th)
Uchiko
(population 19,620)
Location
Uchiko is a mountain town located south west of Ehime. It is the central hub area for several smaller, outlying towns and villages.
Getting there
By train, from Matsuyama, about 30 minutes.
Tourism
- Uchiko retains a0traditional feel with its old-world streets, where handmade candles and umbrellas among other products, are sold.
- Traditional theatre
- Sleeping Buddha statue
- Large farmers market (Karari) which is open every day.
Tobe
(population 22,465)
Location
Tobe is the gate-way to the mountainous regions south-west of Matsuyama.
Getting there
By bus, from Matsuyama about 30 minutes. Bus stop number 3 at Matsuyama City Station.
Highlights
- Tobeyaki a style of pottery unique to the area. There are several display shops where visitors not only purchase tobeyaki, but make it too.
- Tobe Zoo one of the largest zoos in Japan, its home to a variety of animals from many different countries.
- Plum festival in February.
Hirota
(population 1,200)
Location
Hirota is a small villiage within Tobe city.
Getting there
By bus, from Matsuyama 1hr Bus number 17 at Matsuyama City Station once daily.
Iyo-shi
(population 39,494)
Location
Iyo-shi is a sea-side city located south-west of Matsuyama on the coast of Ehime.
Getting there
By train, from JR Matsuyama 20 minutes slow or express trains.
Highlights
- Goshikihama Beach lots of fun in summer! Swimming spot, fine sand, beach volleyball, fishing nearby.
- Shiosai Park sports complex soccer, baseball fields, tennis courts, 1km race track, exercise stations, 2 huge playgrounds, gymnasium and a weight room with treadmills and bikes.
- Biwa (loquat fruit) Festival at the end of June in Karakawa, a mountain town about 6km from the town center.
Futami
(population approximately 5,000)
Location
Futami is a small seaside village within Iyo-shi.
Getting there
By train, from JR Matsuyama 40 minutes by slow train.
Highlights
- Seaside park the nicest beach in Ehime.
Nakayama
(population approx. 4,000)
Location
Nakayama is a small town located in Iyo-shi.
Getting there
By train, from JR Matsuyama 40 minutes by slow train.
Highlights
- Summer festivals which feature the Nakayama Samba.
- Chestnut festival in September.
- Firefly festival in late spring/early summer.
