Shikokuchuo offers a concrete introduction to local cultural themes through its paper culture. The 紙のまち資料館 covers the history of the paper town, traditional industries, and papermaking. Other themes in the municipality include Shingū tea and the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route.
Paper Town, Washi, and Mizuhiki
The 紙のまち資料館 presents the history of the paper town and covers the traditional industries of handmade washi and mizuhiki. Papermaking and paper-making techniques are also among its subjects. A visit thus brings together historical development and knowledge of the craft, without reducing the paper town to a single product.
If you would like to learn about paper as more than an exhibition topic, you can try making handmade washi at the 紙のまち資料館. This hands-on activity offers a different focus from learning about history and techniques: you can experience a step in the papermaking process yourself. Paper-related products are also sold there. If you plan to take part in an activity or are looking for particular products, check what is currently available before your trip; the visitor program and product availability may change.
Tea, Exhibitions, and Other Cultural Themes
In the municipality, the 霧の森茶フェミュージアム offers a different hands-on experience: at a 手もみ茶道場, visitors can roll tea leaves by hand and learn about Shingū tea. This is clearly distinct from the paper museum when choosing what interests you: the focus here is on a tea activity and learning about Shingū tea.
The 暁雨館 focuses on exhibitions. It displays items related to the figures 近藤篤山, 永隆院（お作さん）, and 安藤正楽, as well as rock and mineral samples from the 赤石山系 and Sekigawa. The history of notable figures and the study of rocks thus appear as two separate themes. 川之江城 is also well known in the municipality; the castle is also called 仏殿城.
Temple History and a Poem by Issa
Those interested in the Shikoku pilgrimage tradition can visit 由霊山 三角寺 in the municipality. The temple is number 65 on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage Route and is considered an old temple with a history of more than 1,000 years. It also has a literary connection: 小林一茶 visited 由霊山 三角寺 and left the poem “これでこそ 登りがいあり 山桜” about mountain cherry blossoms. The pilgrimage route, the temple’s long history, and the poem offer three distinct ways to understand this place.
Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip
When choosing where to stay, it helps to start by asking which cultural theme you would like to prioritize. The 紙のまち資料館 is the main point of reference in Shikokuchuo, bringing together paper history, papermaking techniques, a hands-on activity, and paper-related products. Tea, the exhibitions at the 暁雨館, 川之江城, and the pilgrimage temple are other themes in the municipality. So when looking for hotels in Shikokuchuo, you can base your choice on whether you are mainly interested in the paper town or in the municipality’s wider range of cultural themes.
Discover more destinations: Niihama, Seiyo, Saijō, Ōzu, Kumakogen, Ikata, Matsuyama, Futami.
For the regional travel overview: Ehime Prefecture.
