RA: Holly Bettencourt
Placement: Uwa JHS
Phone: 0894 62 1265
Fax: 0894 62 1266
The following towns - Uwa, Shirokawa, Nomura, Mikame and Akehama have all merged to become Seiyo. Seiyo City website in Japanese.
Uwa-choLocation: Route 56 between Ozu and Uwajima
Getting there| By train | By bus |
|---|---|
| Unomachi Station - 15 mins south of Yawatahama and north of Uwajima. Express and non-express lines. |
Matsuyama ~ Uwajima bus, various stops Uwa ~ Nomura bus, various stops |
Location: Akehama is a beautiful little coastal town between Mikame and Yoshida. It's made up of six small communities scattered along the coast. Tawarazu is the largest community, with a population of about 800 people. Akehama is a little out of the way, but well worth the trek on a fine day!
Getting thereThere are several ways to get Akehama, the easiest being to turn off route 56 just after Uwa if you are heading to Uwajima (before the tunnel).
ShoppingAlthough there isn't much shopping, Akehama has all the basic necessities - post office, grocery store and bakery.
RestaurantsThere are two restaurants at the Akehama Seaside Park and also beautiful log cabins which can be hired reasonably cheaply during the winter months. Great for Nabe parties!!
HighlightsThe drive to Akehama is worth it for a beautiful vista all the way across Kyushu. It also boasts the famous Hama Yu, a salt water onsen located on a hill directly above Osozu, Akehama's man made beach (complete with palm trees!).
MikameLocation: Mikame is a really cute little town right on the coast between Yawatahama (north) and Akehama (south). It's made up of several sub-villages strung along the coast, but if you're coming from Uwa or Yawatahama you will hit the main (largest) sub-village, Mikame, first. It's a great place to come on a beautiful day. Biking along the coast is also recommended (if you are brave, try coming all the way from Yawatahama! It takes about 1.5 hours)
Getting thereIt's accessible by regular buses from Yawatahama, and by car from Yawatahama or Uwa (you can also get there along the coastal road from Yawatahama or Akehama, but these are very narrow and windy!).
Shopping / RestaurantsMikame has a mini-shopping arcade with some cake shops and little stores, and even a karaoke bar!
**Mikame is small, and I wouldn't recommend it for shopping**
HighlightsIf you drive from the main village north along the coastal road (in the direction of Yawatahama), you will pass Susaki peninsula (after the sub-village Nagahaya, but before Shuki), which has a beautiful shinto temple and garden, and a nice view all the way over to Kyushu.
If you drive south, right before the sub-village Shimodomari, you will get to the Sea Side Uwakai Restaurant (but you need to make a reservation for this).
AccomodationThere is a hotel right on the coast, with a view of the beautiful bay. Prices are around 5,000 yen per person per night, and the quality of service and food is very good.
ShirokawaLocation: Shirokawa is located along the 197 road, between Ozu and Kochi. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Ozu, and 40 minutes from Uwajima. There are buses from Uwajima and Nomura, but they are pretty infrequent and very inconvenient.
About:
Shirokawa is a small town set in the mountains bordering on southern Kochi. It is one of the five
towns that make up Seiyo City. It's a beautiful area, and the temple and onsen are worth checking
out if you¹ïve ever got some free time.
Location: Nomura is part of Seiyo City and located between Uwa and Shirokawa on 56. It¹ïs a 15 minute drive or so to either city from Nomura. You can also get to Ozu on the back roads by traveling.
Getting there
There are buses from Uwa which you can catch by the train station in Unomachi or the Bus Station.
Nomura¹ïs Bus Station is located across from the Post Office and within walking distance of the Sumo Dome. You¹ïll want to catch a bus or drive to go to the Dam or any other place.
Festivals:
Sumo Festival There¹ïs a sumo festival at the beginning of December, every year. Some professional sumo wrestlers attend and have a small competition. There¹ïs also a student competition from the local schools and other events. As of 2005, it¹ïs held in the new Sumo dome which was just completed. There¹ïs a new Onsen inside the sumo dome as well. It¹ïs a large green domed building just off 56 by the river.
Location: Honai is a pretty little town once you learn to look past the power pylons. It¹ïs located approximately 60km from Matsuyama.
Getting there
There is no train station in Honai, and public transport is pretty average. It¹ïs only a 20 min bike ride (or faster drive or bus trip) to the train station in Yawatahama. (Having a car is recommended in these parts if you get bored easily at home.)
| By car |
|---|
| take either the scenic sea-road or go straight through the hill from Yawatahama. (You go through Honai to get to Ikata, Seto and Misake.) |
Nightlife
There isn¹ït much of a nightlife in Honai. The coolest/nicest/only bar is behind the Lawson's. It is a bit
expensive.
Location:
Kawabe is a small village nestled in the mountains of western Ehime in Ozu city.
Getting there:
There are 3 buses a day Monday through Friday from the Kawabe Board of Education to Hijikawa, two buses on Saturday and no bus service on Sunday. The cost is approximately 360 yen each way depending on where you get on and off. From Hijikawa, there are buses to Ozu but unfortunately, the times do not match up well.
Places to eat and drink:
Kawabe has one restaurant called Ku-chan that is annexed to Mr. Furunos house. The menu is limited and it serves food mainly at lunch time. In the evening, it is the place to go for karaoke and beer, though it is often closed around 7 or 8pm.
Grocery stores
There are 2 groceries stores.
Highlights
Kawabe is famous for its eight covered bridges which are apparently quite rare in Japan. The nicest ones are Miyuki bashi and the one located in Furusato park which has a HUGE slide.
There is a beautiful waterfall called Sannaidani located up the road toward
Ikazaki/ Oda. Although it is signposted, it is a little difficult to find so it is best to ask someone for directions.
Accommodation:
Near the park, there is a Japanese inn and a traditional Japanese house called Saitaniya. For 3200 yen per person, you can rent the house for a night and enjoy the irori, a traditional open fireplace.
Festivals:
Kawabe has its summer festival during the second week of August. It is a small festival with singing, dancing and fireworks and it is a great way to meet the locals.
Location Yawatahama is located on the west coast of Ehime and is the hub of the surrounding coastal communities.
Getting there
| By train | By bus | By ferry |
|---|---|---|
| From Matsuyama: 50 mins, 2,300 From Uwajima: 30 mins, 1,150 From Ozu: 10 mins, 570 |
Various local buses Direct overnight bus to Osaka, 8,000 |
To Beppu and Usuki: 1,700 one way |
Internet
Theres an internet caf above (second floor) the Docomo shop, across the road from Fuji.
Festivals
The Kawanosu Hashira Shinji festival is held in Kawanosu, on the third Saturday of April at Tenman Jinja/ and the surrounding area. Men cut down a 22 meter pine tree at dawn. After dressing the tree, they drag the trunk around town, throw people in a river and the ocean during the morning/day. Ushi-oni at the shrine, then there is Kagura (a sacred shinto entertainment dance) from 6:30 pm to past midnight with a hair-raising, acrobatic, fiery finale. Not to be missed - this is a festival that still has much traditional flavor about it. The antithesis of something like the Ikata-cho Kinahaya festival.
Onsen
Taisho-yuu is an indoor bath in a building from circa 1920. Its close to Fuji.
Location Ikata is located on the western peninsula of Ehime. It includes the towns of Misaki and Seto.
FestivalsLocation: The Seto area is located in the heart of the new Ikata Town, Nishiuwa-gun, which is on the farthest west peninsula of Shikoku. On the map, it looks like a finger pointing from Ehime-ken to Oita-ken.
Getting there:
You can reach Seto by car via Melody Line or by bus using the Iyotetsu Mitsukue line from Yawatahama City.
Interesting fact: The Imperial Japanese Navy did their practice runs for Pearl Harbor in Ikata-cho (Seto-cho's bay).
MisakiAccess and transport
At the very tip of the peninsula. No trains dare go there and buses from Yawatahama are infrequent and quite expensive. Cars are the only way to go really. Misaki is on the map because of its ferry port, which services ferries to Kyushu. A ferry to Saganoseki will take approximately 70 minutes while the slightly longer ferry to Beppu takes two hours. Both ferries cost 2,180yen for a return fare. If youre bringing a car, the costs vary according to the size of your automobile. Shaken must be presented at the counter.
Note: the ferries from Misaki to Kyushu are cheaper than the ones from Yawatahama. If you have a car and dont mind the 40 minute drive, go right ahead. Free parking is available at the port.
Places to eat and drink:
Marina is a decent restaurant. Located on the main road. If waiting for the ferry, the small coffee shop with a black sign is a good place to go. Try their Yakimeshi (fried rice).
For the prepared, there is a French restaurant in the mountains. The owners built a lovely and authentic French home for this restaurant/design company. Lunch or Dinner is by reservation only. Call Shimauchi-san at 0894 541939 and try to speak to her in English! Ask Shimauchi-san for directions because it is quite difficult to find.
Places to shop:
If its farming or fishing tools you need super! If its clothes, forget it.
Grocery stores:
Honai and Yawatahama have bigger ones with less expensive stuff.
Things to see:
The Misaki Lighthouse is quite beautiful. You can see Kyushu on a beautiful day and the sunset.
Location:
30-minute drive from Ozu (toward the mountains/Kawabe).
Getting there:
There is a bus that runs between Ozu and Hijikawa approximately 5 times a day, the bus ride is about 40 minutes and costs approximately 740 yen.
Places to shop:
There is a small A-Coop in town center and Michinoeki (on the main highway) has a great produce stand and a good omiyage shop.
Health:
There is a small hospital in town between the post office and city hall.
Accommodation:
Kanogawaso Onsen is a relatively large, upscale hotel.
Location:
Nagahama is located on the coast where the Hijikawa river empties into the Seto inland sea.
Getting there:
Local train (yosan line) about 1 hour 20 minuets from Matsuyama about 30 mins from Ozu. Also the coast road along the sea takes you through Nagahama.
Getting there:
Places to eat and drink:
Gusto, Joyful, Mister Donuts, two McDonalds, Royal Pizza Hat, and many Japanese restaurants (okonomiyaki, yakiniku, kaitenzushi, etc.); Restaurant (An old converted ryokan that serves great set meals, macha, coffee, cakes etc. In the corner of the carpark opposite the famous red brick building in Ozu).
Places to shop:
Uniqlo clothes store which stocks some Western sizes, Dik (big) stocks household items, garden, and home repair, Tsutaya video and music rental, Fuji Grand department store, including full grocery store, liquor store, bakery, florist, bookstore, travel agency, hair stylist, clothing, household, cosmetics, shoes, toys, etc. Arcade with print club on top floor.
Grocery stores:
Fuji Grand, A-Coop, Marunaka, Kimura chain, etc.