5 Photogenic Scenic Spots in Ehime

Ehime Prefecture is a true "treasure trove of beautiful scenery," where the Seto Inland Sea, the mountains of Shikoku, and historic townscapes are concentrated into one captivating destination. Stunning landscapes that make you want to grab your camera are scattered throughout the prefecture. This article covers Shimonada Station, Tonaru (the "Machu Picchu of the East"), Shikoku Karst, Kurushima Strait Bridge and Omogo Gorge.

1. Shimonada Station (Iyo City)

Shimonada Station, known as "the station closest to the sea in Japan," is a sacred destination for every Instagrammer. The Seto Inland Sea spreading beyond the platform creates a world that looks like a painting.

Photo appeal: At dusk, when the sea turns orange, the contrast with the weathered platform reaches its peak. The classic shot is a silhouette composition with a person in the frame.

Best time: One hour before sunset to just after sunset. In summer the sun sets late, so aim for late afternoon onward.

Shooting angle: Standing at the end of the platform and shooting the railway tracks and sea in a vertical composition adds beautiful depth.

Access: Alight at JR Yosan Line "Shimonada Station" — the scenery is right there. Approx. 50 minutes from Matsuyama Station.

2. The "Machu Picchu of the East" — Tonaru (Niihama City)

Tonaru sits roughly 750 m up in the mountains and was the mining headquarters of the Besshi Copper Mine from 1916 to 1930. At its peak about 5,000 people lived here, and the area became uninhabited after the Tonaru shaft was suspended in 1968. The brick and dry-stone remains left in the mountains are now nicknamed the "Machu Picchu of the East."

Photo appeal: The stonework of the former Tonaru ore bunkers, standing in the forest and slowly being swallowed by the greenery of the Akaishi mountains. Shooting the terraced retaining walls head-on conveys the sheer scale of the ruins. On clear days the site, at around 750 m above sea level, looks out over the city of Niihama and as far as the Seto Inland Sea.

Best time: Early summer, when the greenery is deepest, and the autumn foliage season in October and November. The guided Tonaru tour runs from March to November.

Shooting angle: The 220-step stairway down to the former ropeway station makes a standard shot either way — looking down from the top or looking up from the bottom.

Access: About 15 km from the Niihama IC on the Matsuyama Expressway, or about 11 km from the Hadeba area of Minetopia Besshi. There is no public transport running directly to the Tonaru area; by public transport, take a Setouchi Bus from JR Niihama Station to the Hadeba area and transfer to the "Tonaru sightseeing bus tour" operated by Minetopia Besshi. The Tonaru area closes each year from December to the end of February (planned) because the road is shut for the winter, and entry is not possible during that period (Sources: Minetopia Besshi official website, "Tonaru Area (Machu Picchu of the East)" and "Access"; Ehime Prefecture official tourism site "Iyokan Net").

3. Shikoku Karst (Kumakogen Town)

A majestic highland plateau at approximately 1,400 meters elevation, where white limestone boulders are scattered across the landscape in a fantastically one-of-a-kind scene. Photos taken close to the sky take your breath away with their beauty.

Photo appeal: The tricolor of vivid blue sky, green meadow, and white rock is utterly unique. Mist rolling in on early mornings transforms the atmosphere into something enchanting.

Best time: Fresh-greenery season in May–June, or clear autumn days in September–October.

Shooting angle: Incorporate the rocks as foreground elements and frame a wide horizontal composition emphasizing the vast sky above.

Access: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by car from central Matsuyama.

4. Kurushima Strait Bridge (Imabari City)

The Kurushima Strait Bridge, spanning the starting point of the Shimanami Kaido, is a three-span suspension bridge approximately 4 km long — one of the longest in the world. A mecca for cyclists, the combination of bridge and sea is endlessly picturesque.

Photo appeal: At sunset, the red of the bridge perfectly complements the orange sky. An aerial shot from the observation deck is full of drama.

Best time: Dusk to the blue hour (approx. 20 minutes after sunset).

Shooting angle: The view looking down from Karosan Observation Park is the best. Use a wide angle to capture the entire bridge.

Access: Approx. 20 minutes by car from central Imabari City (to Karosan Observation Park).

5. Omogo Gorge (Kumakogen Town)

A gorge spreading at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi, where the emerald-green clear stream and moss-covered boulders create a landscape straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. Enjoy the changing colors through all four seasons.

Photo appeal: The crystal-clear surface shimmers in the light, creating a beautiful gradation with the deep greens.

Best time: Fresh-greenery season in May, and foliage season in October–November. Soft morning light is ideal.

Shooting angle: Use a low angle to capture both the water surface and the boulders simultaneously for a landscape photo with depth.

Access: From the Matsuyama IC, take National Route 33 toward Kochi for approx. 50 minutes, then turn left at the Omogo-kei intersection and continue straight for 30 minutes (do not turn right toward the Ishizuchi Skyline — continue straight). Parking is limited: a free lot shared with the Midori roadside shop (35 standard cars) and the Omogo Alpine Museum lot (10 cars). Iyo Railway Nanyo Bus's Omogo Line was abolished on April 1, 2026. Access is now by the on-demand shared bus "Kumakuru Kumakogen" (¥1,500 one-way for non-town residents; closed Sundays and holidays; reservation required by 12:00 the previous day / 0892-56-0321) or by taxi, making driving the most practical option.

Ehime's natural scenery shows a new face every time you visit. Take your camera and head out to find your own one-of-a-kind shot.

Practical Information for Your Visit

The details below are drawn from official announcements by the facilities, local governments and transport operators concerned (as of September 2026). Opening hours, fees and road closures change, so please check the official websites linked here before you travel.

Shimonada Station

• Parking: JR Shikoku asks that the station car park, which is intended for drop-offs, not be used for sightseeing. Iyo City directs visitors to the parking area at Shimonada Community Center (Shimonada Sports Park), about a 15-minute walk from the station, and to a municipal temporary car park about 150 m from the station. The approach to the temporary car park is narrow and congested, so the city asks drivers to enter from the Ozu (Nagahama) side as signposted on National Route 378.
• On-street parking: Parking on the streets around the station is prohibited. The wide sections near the Uwahama-side entrance leading from Route 378 are a city road, not parking spaces.
• Etiquette (JR Shikoku): When trains arrive and depart, please stay off the platform unless you are boarding or alighting. Do not sit with your legs dangling over the platform edge and do not enter the tracks. Do not step into the flower beds, which are tended by the local seniors' club and schoolchildren. Keep pets in their carriers within the station grounds.

(Source: JR Shikoku, https://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/01_trainbus/kakueki/shimonada/ and Iyo City, https://www.city.iyo.lg.jp/keizaikoyou/kanko/shimonadaeki_parking.html )

Shikoku Karst

• The road: The ridge road, Prefectural Route 383 (the Shikoku Karst Park Traverse Line), runs 14.8 km from Tsuno Town in Kochi Prefecture to Nomura in Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture.
• Winter closure: The route closes in winter because of snow and ice. In the 2025-26 season it was closed from 10:00 on 5 December 2025 until 11:00 on 18 March 2026. Nearby town roads and forest roads close at the same time.
• During the closure: You can still reach Tengu Kogen on the Kochi side, but Mezuru-daira and Godan Kogen are unreachable. Snow tyres or chains are essential when there is snow.

(Source: Ehime Prefecture Seiyo Civil Engineering Office, https://www.pref.ehime.jp/page/57437.html and Kumakogen Town Tourism Association, https://kuma-kanko.com/news/news5850/ )

Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge

• Lanes: The cycling and pedestrian path is on the northbound (Onomichi-side) carriageway, and the moped path is on the southbound (Imabari-side) carriageway.
• Tolls: The toll for light vehicles is 200 yen, but bicycles are free until 31 March 2028 under the "Shimanami Cycling Free" scheme, and pedestrians are free. Specified small mopeds (such as electric kick scooters) are not covered by the free scheme.
• Cautions: Winds over the strait can be strong. The entrances to the moped and cycling paths are separate from the expressway interchanges, so take care not to enter the expressway by mistake.
• Viewpoint: Kurushima Kaikyo Observatory (2-5-2 Koura-cho, Imabari) opens 9:00-18:00 from March to November and 9:00-17:00 from December to February, closed 29-31 December. Admission is free and there are 90 free parking spaces.

(Source: Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway, https://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/customer_index/guide/zihodo/ and Imabari City, https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/kanko/spot/?a=95 )

Omogo Gorge

• Parking: About 50 spaces, free of charge.
• Access: About 1 hour 20 minutes by car from Matsuyama IC via National Route 33, Prefectural Route 12 and National Route 494; about 50 minutes by car from Kumakogen Town Hall.
• Trails: The Kanmon promenade runs about 600 m along the river from the Omogo Mountain Museum car park to Tsutenkyo Bridge, roughly 20 minutes one way. Sections have been closed by rockfall in the past, so it is worth checking conditions with the Kumakogen Town Tourism Association (0892-21-1192) beforehand.

(Source: Ehime Prefecture official tourism site Iyokan Net, https://www.iyokannet.jp/spot/414 and Kumakogen Town Tourism Association, https://kuma-kanko.com/spot/spot26/ )