Visit Toyo, Ehime: Scenic Views and History Unfold From West Japan’s Highest Peak to the Machu Picchu of the East
Within eastern Ehime Prefecture sits the Toyo area, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north and rugged mountains to the south, including Western Japan’s highest peak, Mount Ishizuchi. This region stands out for being one of Japan’s most prominent industrial areas while somehow coexisting harmoniously with nature. In this article, we introduce some of the hidden charms of three cities in the area - Saijo, Niihama, and Shikokuchuo - along with their stunning seasonal landscapes. Enjoy the outdoors at Mount Ishizuchi - one of Japan’s 100 most well-known mountains - and then explore an industrial heritage site dubbed the “Machu Picchu of the East.” Then get ready to indulge in all of Toyo’s delicious gourmet specialties!
*This article was sponsored by the Toyo Monozukuri Three Cities Cooperative.
Toyo - Home to Mountains and Sea Shaped by the Spirit of Industry
Facing the calm Seto Inland Sea, Ehime Prefecture's Toyo area enjoys a stable climate with minimal rainfall, making it an ideal destination to visit year-round.
As Shikoku's largest industrial zone, it serves not only as the heart of Ehime's industry but also as a vital pillar of Japan's manufacturing sector.
This region brings together cutting-edge manufacturing technologies that have earned international recognition - from Saijo's world-class shipbuilding and machinery industries to Niihama's metal and chemical industries that carry forward the legacy of the Besshi Copper Mine, Shikokuchuo's renowned paper manufacturing and traditional mizuhiki craft, and more.
Toyo’s remarkable development is made possible by its abundant natural environment, particularly the blessings that come with the presence of Mount Ishizuchi, Western Japan's highest mountain. Snowmelt from its summit becomes pristine underground water, fueling industrial growth while nourishing the soil and local produce.
Far from the sterile image often associated with industrial zones, the Toyo area features a landscape where magnificent nature and industrial heritage coexist in harmony. It is this unique character - woven from the land itself as well as industrial spirit - that makes the region a standout.
How to Get to the Toyo Area
Below are some of the ways to access the Toyo area (specifically, Saijo, Niihama, and Shikokucho), organized by air and sea routes.
By Air: In addition to domestic flights from Tokyo and the Kansai region, Matsuyama Airport receives direct international flights from Taipei, Seoul, and Busan. For anyone traveling from the airport to Saijo or Niihama, we recommend the reservation-only shuttle bus which provides direct service from the airport to designated locations in the cities (approximately 1.5-2 hours) with no transfers required. Alternatively, you can rent a car and get there via the Matsuyama Expressway (approximately 1-1.5 hours).
*Note: The shuttle bus operates according to ANA's Tokyo Haneda flight schedule, so passengers arriving on other flights may have to wait a while.
By Sea: For travelers coming from the Kansai region, including Osaka, we recommend the Orange Ferry. It departs Osaka Nanko Port in the evening and arrives at Toyo Port in Ehime early the next morning. After disembarking, you can transfer to a free shuttle bus that goes directly to downtown Niihama or Saijo.
*Note: To board the free shuttle bus (departing Toyo Port for Niihama), you must obtain a numbered ticket in advance from the Osaka Nanko Port ticket counter or onboard the ferry (limited number available). You cannot board without one of these tickets. Also note that the bus departs on schedule regardless of any ferry delays.
Saijo City - Enjoy Western Japan's Highest Peak and Local Delicacies in the "City of Water"
Visitors to this “city of water” will quickly notice clear spring water bubbling up wherever they go. Locally called “uchinuki,” this is actually pristine groundwater from the Ishizuchi Mountain Range. Designated as one of Japan’s top 100 famous waters, it nourishes the land, producing the finest ingredients. Between the pure water and fertile soil, it’s no wonder that Saijo’s agricultural products and cuisine are exceptional in flavor.
Saijo City Tourism Association
Recommended Spot: Mount Ishizuchi - Western Japan's Highest Mountain
Rising south of the city center, Mount Ishizuchi is a sacred mountain revered since ancient times and a holy site for mountain worship. Its highest peak, Tengu-dake, stands at a whopping 1,982 meters. While it may have an imposing presence because of its unbelievable height, it’s a breeze to get halfway up the mountain with the Ishizuchi Tozan Ropeway. Travel up to Sancho Joju Station at 1,300 meters high to experience the magnificent world above the clouds firsthand.
*Temperatures are cooler and the weather more unpredictable at higher elevations, so we recommend bringing warm clothing and rain gear.
A trip to Mount Ishizuchi offers countless unique experiences: from spring through summer, vibrant greenery blankets the mountain. In late autumn, brilliantly colored foliage against rugged rock faces creates a stunning contrast that draws countless hikers. Come winter, the area transforms into a ski area with breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea. As you glide through the snowy landscape, the vast blue ocean stretches out before you.
Ishizuchi Tozan Ropeway Co., Ltd.
Recommended Experience: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Panoramic Views of the Seto Inland Sea
For a completely different perspective on Saijo City, don't miss this hot air balloon experience launching in spring 2026!
Step into the basket with anticipation and excitement as the burner above releases waves of heat with a low rumble. Before you know it, you’ll be gently lifted into the air! Floating on the wind feels like being freed from gravity itself. As you ascend to 300 meters, the trees and buildings below will shrink to miniature scale and your view will open dramatically.
With no obstructions like windows, a full 360-degree panorama unfolds before you. Below lies the Seto Inland Sea, so calm it looks like a mirror, and you’ll also be able to see the outlines of distant islands visible on the horizon. Above, the Ishizuchi Mountain Range, with Western Japan's highest peak, towers with an overwhelming presence. Experiencing this breathtaking vista woven by mountains and sea from 300 meters above ground is an unforgettable moment impossible to replicate on land.
Recommended Food: Saijo's Soul Food "Teppan Napolitan”
When visiting Saijo, don't miss the beloved local soul food, teppan napolitan. Unlike the typical plated version, Saijo-style napolitan is served on a sizzling hot iron plate with beaten eggs poured over the spaghetti. This style is said to have developed because of the relaxed, easygoing nature of Saijo's residents. The hot plate was chosen so that the dish stays warm through leisurely conversations.
The rich tomato sauce, chewy noodles, and fluffy eggs blend perfectly in your mouth. Today, shops throughout the city add their own twists to the sauce and other components. Why not enjoy comparing different versions while savoring the warmth and local hospitality this dish embodies?
Niihama City - A Journey Through Time to the Mysterious "Machu Picchu of the East"
Niihama City flourished through the mining operations at Besshi Copper Mine, building a solid industrial foundation dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868). At its peak, the mine boasted the world's highest copper output. Its tunnels stretched 700 kilometers in total length and reached depths of 1,000 meters below sea level, producing an estimated 650,000 tons of copper. This massive ore vein not only launched the region's development but also became a cornerstone of Japan's modernization and Niihama's growth.
Though the mine closed in 1973, the pioneering spirit of venturing into the unknown and the vast industrial ruins left behind have become deeply embedded in the city's culture, telling the story of its history.
Niihama Tourism and Products Association
Recommended Spot: Industrial Heritage Theme Park “Minetopia Besshi”
A theme park blending historical preservation with interactive experiences, Minetopia Besshi is located where the mining headquarters once stood, at the foot of the Besshi Copper Mine.
Across the river stands the red brick Former Hadeba Hydroelectric Power Station, a national Tangible Cultural Property. This Meiji-era building, surrounded by mountains, retains its period charm and stands quietly and elegantly as a witness to history.
Within the theme park, you can do more than simply observe - you can actively experience history! Take a ride on the restored Mining Railroad, historically significant as Japan's first dedicated mountain mining railroad. Board the steam locomotive-style train, which is a replica of the original Besshi No. 1, and cross an iron bridge to a mine tunnel, accompanied by the nostalgic sound of the train whistle.
This sightseeing tunnel was converted from an actual explosives storage facility used during the Meiji era (1868-1912). Inside, mining scenes from the Edo period are recreated, and there's even a hands-on area where you can operate a rock drill. Through the drill’s vibrations and the feel of the rock, you can experience the atmosphere of a historic mining site firsthand.
Recommended Spot: A Sky-High Historical Legacy Dubbed the Machu Picchu of the East
Other than the Hadeba area at the mountain’s foot, you can find vestiges of the Besshi Copper Mine’s history at the Tonaru area, perched at an altitude of 750 meters.
Tonaru was a thriving mining town in the early Showa period (1926-1989), housing up to 5,000 people at its peak, complete with company housing, schools, and even a theater. Today, only the remains of a massive granite ore storage facility and cableway stand quietly amid the mist-shrouded mountains. The desolate yet mystical beauty of these ruins has earned them the evocative nickname "Machu Picchu of the East."
The scenery transforms with each season: In spring and summer, the imposing stone walls are wrapped in deep green, creating a fantastical atmosphere reminiscent of the beloved anime Castle in the Sky. Come autumn, the surrounding trees blaze with vivid reds and yellows, their colors forming a striking contrast with the ruins. Time spent standing here in the quiet mountains offers a profound experience, like you’re conversing across time itself.
Recommended Food: Niihama's Local Specialty "Fuguzaku"
Niihama is the birthplace of “fuguzaku,” a lesser-known pufferfish delicacy. Long beloved by locals, this dish features finely chopped pufferfish meat and skin tossed with spicy grated daikon and finished with a refreshing sudachi ponzu sauce. The firm pufferfish releases a refined sweetness with each bite, complemented by the bouncy, elastic texture of the skin. A final burst of tangy acidity makes this dish truly appetizing.
Available from October to March, it's a winter-only delicacy. When visiting Niihama during the cold season, be sure to savor this luxurious flavor that the locals have cherished and taken pride in for generations.
Shikokuchuo City - A Highland Retreat in the Paper Capital Where You Can Explore Tea and the Sky
Known as "Japan's premier paper town," Shikokuchuo has long led the nation in paper product production. Yet this industrial city reveals another face entirely: a mist-shrouded highland retreat of otherworldly beauty. From the bustling city center to the serene depths of nature - this contrast between industry and the natural world is what makes Shikokuchuo truly unique.
Recommended Spot: Kiri no Mori - A Healing Haven of Clear Streams and Tea Fields
Following the pristine Umatate River deep into the mountains brings you to Kiri no Mori. Far more than a roadside station, Kiri no Mori is a leisure facility offering diverse experiences. Nestled by the water's edge amongst rich nature, it includes the Koyukan, a natural hot spring with silky-smooth waters that soothe travel fatigue, and a restaurant serving a varied menu featuring dishes made with the local specialty Shingu tea. Well-maintained walking trails and cottages you can spend the night in allow you to fully savor the tranquility and unhurried pace of life in the mountains.
When visiting Kiri no Mori, don't miss the extremely popular Kiri no Mori Daifuku. This confection uses premium matcha from pesticide-free Shingu tea grown in Shikokuchuo's Shingu district. Soft mochi generously dusted with matcha powder envelops smooth sweet red bean paste and fragrant fresh cream. With one bite, the distinctive slight bitterness of matcha harmonizes with the sweetness of the bean paste, creating an exquisite flavor balance. Enjoy this treat - difficult to obtain even online - right at the source.
Recommended Spot: Shiozuka Highlands - A Panoramic Grassland
For an even more expansive view, head to the Shiozuka Highlands, located 1,043 meters in the sky on Shiozuka Peak which straddles the border between Ehime and Tokushima Prefectures. This bowl-shaped grassland spanning 100 hectares offers landscapes that completely change with the seasons: From spring through summer, lush green grass blankets the land like an endless emerald carpet bursting with vitality. Come autumn, fields of pampas grass sway in the wind, catching the sunlight and glowing golden, transforming the plateau into a dazzling world - a dreamlike vista that photography enthusiasts cannot miss.
With its high altitude and unobstructed surroundings, the Shiozuka Highlands is also a paragliding mecca. Beginner experiences with instructor guidance are available, allowing even first-timers to safely enjoy an aerial adventure. The moment you lift off on the wind, a magnificent 360-degree vista unfolds below. The distant Seto Inland Sea, the Shikoku Mountains, and even scenery across the strait come into view. The exhilaration of becoming one with this vast sky is among the best ways to experience the grandeur of nature here.
Discover Authentic Japan in Toyo, Ehime - A Treasure Trove of Hidden Vistas and History
Ehime Prefecture's Toyo area brings together diverse attractions: majestic mountains including Western Japan's highest peaks, fascinating industrial heritage that tells the story of changing eras, and heartwarming local cuisine. A visit to this land, which reveals different faces with each season, offers new discoveries about Japan's rich cultural depth. Step into this storied landscape where mountains meet the sea, immerse yourself in extraordinary experiences, and create unforgettable memories.
For more captivating spots and experiences in Ehime Prefecture, please visit the website below.
https://www.visitehimejapan.com/en/
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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