Traditional Villages Area
Streets full of beauty of Japanese architectures and atmosphere
Old Streets of Unomachi
Traditional architectural style expresses the lush life of the time
In Unomachi district there are merchant houses dating from approximately 1740 to 1945 which are lined up in a row and constructed in traditional Japanese architectural styles such as shirakabe, udatsu, hajitomi and degōshi that still remain. The superb Dutch Studies and Medical Science scholar Ninomiya Keisaku and the first female doctor in Japan, Kusumoto Ine, also spent periods of time in Unomachi district.
Address:Unomachi Uwa-town, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture
Notes:Volunteer guides are available (by reservation)
Uwa Rice Museum
At a wooden school-building which has a very long corridor, “Good rice producer, Uwa” is introduced.
Set inside a relocated wooden elementary school building constructed in 1928, this museum introduces the Uwa as a rice-growing region. The displays include historical agricultural machinery and equipment, among other things. If interested, you can also try your hand at personally wiping down the schools 109m corridor.
Hours open:9:00～17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Regular holiday:Monday (if Monday falls national holiday, the next day is closed), year-end and new-year
Address:24 2-chome Unomachi Uwa-town, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture
Notes:admission fee charged
A combined ticket for 4 attractions in the cultural village is available.
(Sentetsu-Memorial Museum, Uwa Rice Museum, Kaimei School, Folk Handcrafts Museum)
Kaimei School
Enjoy attending a class of old days in the elementary school built 130 years ago!
This elementary school was constructed in 1882. It was constructed in a traditional Japanese style and made of wood but “Western type approach windows” were used in its modern construction and, because of this feature, it was designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Inside the building, Meiji-era school textbooks are on display and you can experience what classes would have been like in those days, the “Meiji Class Experience”.
Uwa Sentetsu Memorial Museum
Museum exhibits and honors the performances of great people from around Uwa District
‘Sentetsu’ is a term used to refer to a great or wise person of historical significance. The Sentetsu Memorial Museum seeks, above all else, to preserve the legacy of such people who bore some connection to Uwa-town. To this end, many materials documenting the images and achievements of such people are on display here.
Uwa Basin
Seasonal traditions which highlight the Uwa basin
The Uwa basin is known as a place of rice and there you can see “waraguro” where the straw used to thresh the harvested rice is piled up into cone shapes. Together with the milk vetch fields in spring, in the enveloping shroud of the morning mist in late autumn and snow-clad in the winter, you can see the beautiful figure of the “waraguro” change with the seasons. During the winter nights they are also beautifully lit up.
Address:Nishi Yamada Uwa-town, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture
Ūnosato Utopia Uwa
Healing bath once known as a therapeutic bath
This is an established spot for hot springs and camping. The high quality water that gushes forth in to the hot springs from 600m below the surface provides effective relief for neuralgia and other ailments. For many years this area has been known as a hot spring health resort which provides a cure for illness and fatigue, and from the baths you can also enjoy the magnificent scenery that the area has to offer.
Hours open:10:00~21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Regular holiday:Every fourth Monday
Address:Akanma Uwa-town, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture
Notes:We charge for entry.
Museum of Ehime History and Culture
Time slip to the “old days” of Japan and Ehime
Mainly the exhibition introduces the history and folk customs of Ehime prefecture where Seiyo City is located. In particular, within the large Museum, you can view an exhibit of reconstructed models in the original size. As Ehime is even now prominent in Ōkaido shopping arcade, with the reconstructed model of the flourishing pre-war shopping arcade street, you can savor the atmosphere when you enter the buildings.
Hours open:9:00~17:30 (entry by 17:00)
Regular holiday:Monday (if Monday falls National holiday or compensating holiday, Tuesday)
Every first Monday is opened and the next day, Tuesday is closed (if the Tuesday falls National holiday or compensating holiday, the next day will be closed.)
year end and new year (from 26, December to 1, January)
Address:2-11 4-chome Unomachi Uwa-town, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture
Notes: Admission fee charged
Kannon Water
Many long-distance people come to get good water
Chosen as one of Japan’s 100 most famous natural water springs, Kannon water produces around 8000 tons of water each day. The water quality is a weak alkaline. On holidays it is possible to find long queues of people lined up to get the water. In summer, you can enjoy a service provided by the local people, in which sōmen noodles are floated down a half-tube made from bamboo plants, with hungry visitors waiting at the other end to grab them with their chopsticks at a stall named ‘Meisuitei’.
Address: Akanma Uwa-town, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture
The 43th sacred place of Shikoku pilgrimage, Meiseki-ji Temple
Venerable temple visited by many pilgrims and believers
Concerning Shikoku sacred places there are 88 temples within Shikoku that have some affinity with Kobo Daishi (Kūkai). Number 43 of these temples is Meiseki-ji temple. In former times, when the Kamakura Shogunate governed Japan, Minamoto no Yoritomo established this temple in 1194, as the patron of the temple, he made an offering at the statue of Amida Buddha in order to pray for the repose of Ikenozenni’s soul. From then on the religious faith of the warriors of Japan has been gathered here and, even now, it flourishes thanks to the many pilgrims who visit here.
Address:201 Ageishi Uwa-town, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture
Donburikan Market
Food from sea and mountain, and full of fresh cooking ingredient
Set in the warm air of the wooden market buildings, Donburikan is a large scale market at which Seiyo’s seasonal produce is sold from lines of stalls. Every day, the regions’ producers bring the mornings’ freshly harvested foodstuffs to display at their stall. The goods are so popular that come nightfall, almost everything has been sold.
Hours open: 8:00~18:00
Regular holiday:Monday (in case Monday falls on National holiday, Tuesday)
Address:118 Inou Uwa-town, Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture