Imabari gives you several concrete starting points for choosing where to visit: a gateway to the Shimanami Kaido, a coastal flatland castle, the history of Nankobo and an official shop for Imabari Towel products. You can weigh up whether cycling, architecture and views, religious history or textile products should shape your stay. These themes appeal to different interests; they do not imply a set order.
Cycling as a reason to travel
The Imabari Station Cycling Terminal is a gateway in Imabari to the Shimanami Kaido and the national Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road. For those looking for a trip with a strong focus on cycling, it provides a clearly identified starting point for choosing a destination. When planning, you can consider this connection to the cycling route as your main motivation or as one of the interests you associate with Imabari. This helps separate the question of where to travel from the question of what other things you would also like to explore in Imabari.
Imabari Castle: moat and tower
Alongside its connection to the cycling route, Imabari Castle offers a different perspective on the city. It is a coastal flatland castle with a moat fed by seawater. The term “coastal flatland castle” describes its architectural type, while the seawater-fed moat highlights its maritime connection. Its five-story, six-level castle tower serves as an observation tower and exhibition space. At the same site, you can therefore consider both its classification as a castle type and the tower’s visitor facilities.
Nankobo and its historical role
Nankobo offers a historical perspective on Imabari’s religious history. It was one of eight monasteries relocated between 1199 and 1201 to serve as bettoji of Betsugu Oyama Shrine. This relocation places Nankobo in the historical relationship between monastery and shrine. Travelers who want to understand religious sites through their former roles will find a precise chronological and institutional point of reference here. The dates refer to this relocation and place the history in time.
Imabari Towel at TEXPORT
TEXPORT Imabari is home to the official Imabari Towel shop, “Imabari Towel Hon-ten.” The shop carries a wide range of Imabari Towel brand products; if a particular product or the brand itself interests you, this is a very different reason to visit from exploring castle or temple history. At the adjoining Imabari Towel LAB, visitors can experience the core values cited by the brand: safety, protection and high quality. The shop and LAB thus offer two related but distinct ways to engage: products here, and the values highlighted by the brand there. The shop’s selection may change, so check the current range if you have a particular item in mind. Details of the LAB’s operations may also change, so check visitor access before planning a visit.
Discover more destinations: Kumakogen, Seiyo, Matsuyama, Ikata, Shikokuchuo, ĹŚzu, Niihama, Futami
For the overview of the wider area: Ehime Prefecture.
