This spot makes the perfect base for cycling the circuit through Imabari and Saijo Cities. In addition to local product vendors, restaurants, and an information center, the building also houses a bicycle rental counter. Please note that if you do rent a bicycle here, you will not be able to return it at another location. Once you have visited the information center for the latest sightseeing info, it’s time to embark on your cycling adventure.

Drop in at this resort facility nestled amidst the stretch of picturesque sand dunes and pine groves lining the shores of the Seto Inland Sea. Climb the hill to the main hotel building and onsen for panoramic views out over the Inland Sea or descend to the base of the hill for the seaside campground situated a convenient one-minute walk from the beach. The campground is not to be missed during the holiday season when guests can enjoy barbeques, beach play, and swimming (summer only). You will be happy to hear that items such as tents and cooking equipment are available for rent, meaning you can show up empty handed.

Located in Ehime’s Imabari City, the Towel Museum is an art museum that represents the fusion of art and towels. It’s easy to while away an entire day in the museum, watching the towel manufacturing process and taking in the vast gardens and cafés. Amongst the wealth of things to see, one sight that has become famous for its shareability on social media is the wall of spools featuring 1,800 reels dyed around 200 colors. Why not take a photo as a reminder of your journey?

Designated a prefectural natural park, the entire stretch of the Nibukawa Gorge offers stunning views. You’ll find yourself transfixed by the flow of the clear water that owes it’s purity to the pristine forests of the gorge!
Cyclists will be happy to know that the cycling path is smooth and well maintained with rest stops dotted here and there. If you tune in to the murmuring of the stream and birdsong, it’s sure to be a restful stretch.

This is an ideal spot to rest your tired body after cycling the mountain paths along the Nibukawa Gorge. In addition to the hot-springs that are open to casual visitors, there is a cafeteria selling light meals. Stretch out your legs and soak in the large bath at this onsen known as “beautifying waters” for its skin-smoothing properties.

Giant Store is a sports cycle specialty store located in JR Imabari Station. Here you’ll find showers, an internet lounge, lockers for hand luggage, and other facilities catering to cyclist needs. It’s not only a great base for cycling, they also offer a good range of bicycle safety checks and maintenance services, making it a great place to head for in the unlikely event that your bicycle malfunctions.

Around a five-minute ride from Giant Store Imabari, the Imabari Kokusai Hotel—something of a landmark in Imabari—offers not only accommodation but also a wide range of restaurants and a shopping mall. The first-floor shopping mall is home to both a well-established department store and an official Imabari Towel store which carries only brand-name Imabari Towels that pass the company’s own quality standards. These towels, known for their excellent water absorbency, are perfect for mopping up perspiration during your ride. Feel free to park your bicycle in the bike rack near the hotel entrance and then enjoy a leisurely shop.

When you’re worn out from cycling and need an energy hit, try Imabari’s soul food, Yakibuta Tamago Meshi. The dish served at Chinese restaurant Hakuryu boasts a hearty three-egg topping on grilled pork and rice, and diners can choose between small, medium, and large servings depending on their appetite (the small size comes with two eggs). Here they temper the sweetness of the sauce, making gobbling it down the work of a minute.

Visit the vast Saisaikiteya indoor famer’s market for fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables, meats and fish. Inside you’ll find a mix of locals doing their day-to-day food shopping, and tourists who are there to sample local cuisine at the restaurant and café located in the building. The menus are seasonal, but the tarts loaded with strawberries, figs, or other locally-produced fruit are particularly popular.
The name of the shop means “You’re welcome any time” in Ehime’s local dialect, and this seems fitting given that you’ll want to return again and again to sample the seasonal produce.

Ichifuku Hyakka is a Japanese sweet store of long standing repute established in 1952. Stop here to reward your tired body with a daifuku sweet—seasonal whole fruit encased in white an (sweet bean paste), and wrapped in rice paste known as mochi. There is a wide selection on offer, but the deliciously juicy Mikan Daifuku, containing a whole locally-grown mandarin, is a popular favorite.

This park offers all sorts of playground equipment spread out over a large site. In particular, the artificial grass sledding track is very popular, especially with children. Other attractions include a moutain-shaped rope climbing frame and a trampoline, and people of all ages will enjoy themselves so much they will completely forget the time. Be sure to check out the panoramic views of Imabari City from the elevated areas of the park before you go.

The elevated location of this hot spring allows bathers at Yunoura’s only day-stay onsen to look out over the Sakurai Coast, which ranks amongst Japan’s 100 Great Beaches. Visitors soaking in the open air baths can also enjoy gazing at the natural beauty of the seasonal flowers blooming next to the baths. Why not luxuriate in the baths and rest body and soul as the trip enters its final stage.