20 Parks in Ehime worth your time

Historic Shiroyama Park offers Matsuyama Castle, cultural sites, and is a top cherry blossom viewing spot.

What it is

• A city park in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Includes Matsuyama Castle's main, second, and third enclosures.
• Designated a historic site under cultural property law.
• Owned by Matsuyama City.

What to see

• Matsuyama Castle's main keep, an Important Cultural Property.
• The Shiroyama tree group, a Prefectural Natural Monument.
• NHK Matsuyama Broadcasting Station.
• Ehime Prefectural Museum of Art.
• Ehime Prefectural Library.
• Matsuyama Civic Hall.

When to go

• A famous cherry blossom viewing spot.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Official site

www.city.matsuyama.ehime.jp

Read more about Shiroyama Park

Takinomiya Park offers cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and city views in Niihama.

What it is

• An urban park in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Opened on October 15, 1956.
• Developed between 1952 and 1982.
• Covers an area of 41.70 hectares.

What to see

• About 1500 cherry trees of various types.
• A Japanese garden with 100 white and 10 red plum trees.
• A large agricultural pond in the southeast.
• An animal area with swans, silkies, and rabbits.
• A war memorial tower behind the flower viewing park.
• Two observation decks with city views.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.
• Autumn for autumn leaves.

Official site

www.city.niihama.lg.jp

Read more about Takinomiya Park

Matsuyama Central Park offers panoramic views, ancient history, and a dog run.

What it is

• Urban park in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture.
• Construction began in 1983, completed in 1999.
• Covers an area of 42.25 hectares.

What to see

• European-style observation deck with 360-degree views.
• Japan Night View Heritage site.
• Dog run established in 2014.
• Hapimaru Hill opened in March 2024.
• Yayoi period settlement ruins at Ominegadai.
• Numerous kofun on the northwestern ridge.

When to go

• Matsuyama Tree Festival held annually in spring.
• Matsuyama Tree Festival held annually in autumn.

Read more about Matsuyama Central Park

Explore a former copper mine, ride a tourist train, and see historic industrial architecture.

What it is

• A tourist facility in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Utilizes former facilities of Besshi Copper Mine.
• Opened as a copper mine theme park in 1991.
• Includes the Roadside Station Minetopia Besshi.

What to see

• Ride a tourist railway for 400 meters.
• Walk through a 333-meter tourist mine tunnel.
• View the former Izumiju-tei special room.
• See the former Hadeba Hydroelectric Power Plant.
• Cross the former Besshi Mining Railway Hadeba Iron Bridge.
• Explore the former Besshi Mining Railway Hadeba Tunnel.

Address

立川町707-3 Map

Official site

besshi.com

Read more about Minetopia Besshi

Futami Seaside Park offers stunning sunsets over Iyonada Sea, a romantic spot with a sandy beach.

What it is

• A seaside park in Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Features Koibito Misaki, certified as a Lover's Sanctuary.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Sunsets.

What to see

• Iyonada Sea views from the park.
• A gentle sandy beach stretching for hundreds of meters.
• A viewing deck behind the beach.
• Michi-no-eki Futami is attached to the park.

When to go

• Evenings for sunset views over Iyonada Sea.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Iyo-Kaminada Station.

Read more about Futami Seaside Park

Dōgo Park: a historic urban park with castle ruins, a museum, and cherry blossoms.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Matsuyama City.
• Established in 1888.
• Contains the Yuzuki Castle ruins.
• Includes the Shiki Memorial Museum.

What to see

• Yuzuki Castle ruins, a national historic site.
• Outer moat and earthworks of the castle.
• Lookout point at the castle ruins.
• Dōgo Botanical Garden, established in 1886.

When to go

• Cherry blossom viewing spot in spring.

Getting there

• Near Dōgo Park Station.

Official site

www.dogokouen.jp

Read more about Dōgo Park

A mountaintop park with a castle-shaped observation deck and 1,000 cherry trees.

What it is

• A park on Umiyama mountain, also called Tōmiyama.
• Developed in phases, starting in 1992 and completed in 2004.
• Watchtowers have been on this mountain since ancient times.

What to see

• Umimajō, a castle-shaped observation deck.
• Kagaribi no Oka, a lawn area.
• Playground equipment, including a large slide.
• One thousand cherry trees.

Getting there

• About 15 minutes by car from Imabari-Kita Interchange.

Official site

www.city.imabari.ehime.jp

Read more about Umiyamajō Tenbō Park

Hirose Park offers a scenic escape with historical buildings and beautiful cherry blossoms.

What it is

• A park in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Developed from a building by Saihei Hirose.
• Donated to Niihama City in 1970.
• Designated a national scenic spot in 2018.

What to see

• The former Hirose Residence, a national cultural property.
• Hirose Historical Museum, established in 1997.
• A garden spanning about 3 hectares.
• The park is divided into four zones.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.

Read more about Hirose Park

Tobe Zoological Park is a large, modern zoo in Western Japan, home to many animals.

What it is

• One of the largest zoos in Western Japan.
• Opened in April 1988 at its current location.
• Successor to Dogo Zoo, founded in 1953.
• Symbol mark uses the Japanese river otter.

What to see

• Panorama exhibition style for animal viewing.
• Approximately 170 species and 823 animals.
• Zoo is divided into 12 distinct zones.
• Polar bear Peace, born December 2, 1999.
• Peace is Japan's first successful hand-reared polar bear.

Official site

www.tobezoo.com

Read more about Tobe Zoological Park

Jounofuchi Park offers a tranquil Japanese garden, spring-fed pond, and cultural monuments worth an hour.

What it is

• An urban park in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture.
• Opened in 1970, expanded in 1991.
• Selected as one of the 100 Famous Waters in 1985.
• Inner sanctuary of Saihoji Temple.

What to see

• Spring-fed pond with carp.
• Traditional Japanese garden.
• Haiku monument by Shiki Masaoka.
• Suiten-gu deity enshrined in a water drawing area.
• Kobo Daishi statue on a small island.
• Teiregi, a Matsuyama City natural monument.

Read more about Jounofuchi Park

Coastal park in Imabari with sports facilities, camping, and ocean views.

What it is

• A park in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Used for swimming and camping.
• Features sports, event, and rest zones.

What to see

• Gently sloping revetment facing the coast.
• Soccer field with artificial turf.
• Changing rooms with hot showers and toilets.
• Three-tiered concrete spectator stand.
• Campsite and cooking area.

When to go

• Campsite showers are available in July and August.

Official site

www.city.imabari.ehime.jp

Read more about Sakurai Kaihin Fureai Square

Ishitegawa Park is a long urban park in Matsuyama, good for cherry blossom viewing and recreation.

What it is

• An urban park in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Utilizes the Ishitegawa riverbed.
• Opened in 1915.
• Redeveloped from 1962.

What to see

• Cherry trees.
• Playground equipment.
• Open spaces.
• Sports facilities.

When to go

• Cherry blossom season.

Getting there

• Adjacent to Ishitegawa Koen Station.
• Immediately accessible from Ishitegawa Koen Station.

Read more about Ishitegawa Park

See Japan's largest collection of freshwater fish and unique aquatic life.

What it is

• An aquarium in Matsuno Town, Ehime Prefecture.
• Located within Michi-no-Eki Nijinomori Park Matsuno.
• Exhibits about 120 species of freshwater fish.
• Has Japan's largest number of redfish exhibits.

What to see

• Naked sea butterflies.
• Pirarucu.
• Dwarf caimans.
• Humboldt penguins.
• Oriental small-clawed otters.

When to go

• Open 10:00 to 17:00.
• Closed every Wednesday.

Official site

www.morinokuni.or.jp

Read more about Shimanto River Learning Center Osakana-kan Aquarium

Shiosai Park offers sports facilities and a children's play area in Iyo City.

What it is

• An urban park in Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Also known as Iyo Sogo Park.

What to see

• Iyo Citizen's Gymnasium with a training room.
• Iyo Citizen's Baseball Field, capacity 2,000 people.
• Iyo Citizen's Athletic Field with a 400m track.
• Two softball fields at the Athletic Field.
• Iyo Citizen's Tennis Courts.
• Children's play area called Wakuwaku Kodomo Okoku.

Official site

www.shiosai-iyosasaeru.com

Read more about Shiosai Park

Goshikihama Park offers a historic lighthouse, shrine, and monument by the sea.

What it is

• An urban park in Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Adjacent Goshikihama has a legend of a Heike princess.

What to see

• Former Ban'ankou lighthouse, rebuilt in stone in 1869.
• The lighthouse is an Iyo City designated cultural property.
• Goshikihama Shrine is located within the park.
• Saihinkan, a building constructed in 1894.
• A monument is also found in the park.

Read more about Goshikihama Park

Yuragi no Mori is a forest park with a shrine, monument, and workshops, offering a unique mountain experience.

What it is

• A forest park in Ehime Prefecture.
• Opened in the year 2000.
• Located at 700 to 900 meters altitude.
• Designated as Ehime Forest Bath 88th spot No. 83.

What to see

• Monument for Emperor Antoku's tomb legend.
• Adjacent Yamashiro Hachiman Shrine.
• Shrine's forest is a natural monument.
• Pergola with a wisteria trellis.
• Heliport at the highest point.

Official site

besshiyama.com

Read more about Yuragi no Mori

A large children's facility with diverse play zones, creative workshops, and a zipline.

What it is

• A prefectural children's welfare facility.
• Completed in 1998.
• Adjacent to Tobe Zoo and Sports Park.

What to see

• Children's Town and Adventure Hill zones.
• Aiai Children's Hall with multi-purpose hall.
• Event Plaza with outdoor stage and waterway.
• Taniyama Pond for boating.
• Mountaintop fort observation deck at 170m.
• A 730m zipline to Tobe Zoo.

Official site

www.i-kodomo.jp

Read more about Ehime Children's Castle

Matsuyama Central Park is a modern sports complex, great for sports fans and active travelers.

What it is

• An urban park with extensive sports facilities.
• Owned by Matsuyama City and Ehime Prefecture.
• Built in phases from 2000 to 2005.

What to see

• Botchan Stadium, completed in 2000.
• Madonna Stadium and an indoor arena.
• Ehime Prefectural Budokan.
• A pool and velodrome.

Getting there

• Ichitsubo Station on the JR Yosan Line.

Read more about Matsuyama Central Park

Nanrakuen is a modern Japanese garden, recognized as one of Japan's best urban parks.

What it is

• A Japanese garden, opened in 1985.
• Part of the Nanyo Recreation City project.
• Selected for 'Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks' in 1989.

What to see

• A pond-strolling Japanese garden.
• Upper and lower ponds.
• A general management building and rest area.
• A restaurant named 'Shokusai Wabisu Bettei'.

Read more about Nanrakuen Garden

Ikedaike Park is a historic urban park with an iris garden, perfect for a relaxing stroll.

What it is

• An urban park in Ehime Prefecture.
• Developed around Ikedaike Pond in Niihama City.
• Pond mentioned in 756, renovated in 1655.

What to see

• The historic Ikedaike Pond.
• An iris garden.

When to go

• During the iris festival.

Official site

www.city.niihama.lg.jp

Read more about Ikedaike Park