Ehime AJET

Kamijima Town is a cluster of islands at the northernmost tip of Ehime. The name Kamijima literally means “Upper Islands” in Japanese. Set within the Shimanami Kaido Expressway, Kamijima is located at the very top part of Ehime Prefecture and isn’t connected to the main islands or the mainland by bridge. The five major islands of Kamijima are Yuge, Sashima, Iwagi, Ikina, and Uoshima. In addition, there are several other small islands: Takaikamijima, Toyoshima, and Tsubajima, all of which can be accessed by ferry.

You can drive or cycle across the 3 main islands of Yuge, Sashima, and Ikina which are connected by bridge. One is being built and will be completed by 2022. This road is called the Yumeshima Kaido, or the Dream Islands Road.

The total population of Kamijima is about 6,868 across all the islands.

Town homepage: http://www.town.kamijima.lg.jp/

Location / Access / Transport

Yuge Island [弓削島]

Pronouced, “yu-geh”, Yuge is the largest of the Kamijima islands by population with around 3,380 people living. This is the island with most of the restaurants, cafes and shops. The regional Kamijima council office is also located in central Yuge.

A large portion of the 3,380 people is made of of school children. With an elementary, junior highschool and highschool all on the island. There is also a Marine Technical College, one of 4 in Japan, which has 600 students currently.

Location / Access / Transport

There is the main Yuge port in Shimoyuge Town, which has highspeed ferries to Innoshima and Imabari (Stops at Ikina, Sashima and Iwagi too). There is another port in Kamiyuge which has a car ferry to Innoshima, this leaves every 1.5hrs.

On the island, most places can be accessed on foot or by bike, although a public bus goes between the islands of Yuge, Sashima, and Ikina which costs 150 yen.

Tourism / Festivals / Highlights

Dining Out

Shopping

Leisure

Ikina Island [生名島]

Ikina is a one of the four Kamijima islands in the Seto Inland Sea with a population of about 1,713. Ikina is by far the most convenient of all the 4 Kamijima islands – Hiroshima Prefecture is just a three-minute ferry ride away!

Location / Access / Transport

On the island, most places can be accessed on foot or by bike, although a public bus goes between the islands of Yuge, Sashima, and Ikina. Ikina is connected by bridge to two other Kamijima islands, Sashima and Yuge. The bridge connecting Ikina and Iwagi will be ready in a couple of years.

Tourism / Festivals / Highlights

Dining Out

There is only one restaurant, which is located on Level 2 of Tateishi Port! Check it out!

Shopping

There are two small grocery shops: one near the town branch office and one near Tateishi Port
There is also a mini supermarket near the nursery school.

Habu, on Innoshima, has a larger supermarket, a sweets shop, a drugstore, several 100 yen stores, small clothes and miscellaneous household goods store and several restaurants.

Leisure

Uoshima Island [魚島]

Uoshima is a small island in Kamijima. Its population is about 200 people, and the major industry is fishing. It has a combined elementary and junior high school, and there are currently 3 junior high students and 6 elementary students. There are also 2 younger boys who attend pre-school.

Tourism / Festivals / Highlights

Dining Out

There is a small restaurant that is part of the tourist center (open for lunch on weekdays and on the weekend if you tell them in advance).

Shopping

For grocery stores and other shopping go to Yuge and Innoshima. Many residents also order groceries through the Hiroshima Seikyo, a food-ordering service. Orders can be sent by fax or made online, and are delivered weekly.

Leisure

Iwagi Island [岩城島]

Iwagijima is located at the northeast tip of Ehime, with a population of about 2,000. It is home to many ship building companies, and as a result, there are various foreign workers living on the island (Chinese, Thai, Filipino).

Tourims / Festivals / Highlights

Dining Out

Shopping

Supermarkets
Miscellaneous