Beyond Matsuyama, encounter the still-unknown Ehime.

I didn't know Uwajima like this! A journey through history and modernity.

Uwajima Castle, counted among the 12 existing tenshu. A ryokan over a hundred years old where Inukai Tsuyoshi, Gotō Shinpei, and Shiba Ryōtarō also rested.
On the other hand, amidst the rural landscape, there is a sake shop with a pop design that catches the eye, and in the town, there is a specialty café for soybean coffee that doesn't use coffee beans.
It's not just a historic castle town. The things that have been passed down are layered with free ideas and new sensibilities, revealing surprises from unexpected places. Here are four special spots in Uwajima.

宇和島城（Uwajima Castle）
木屋旅館（Kiya Ryokan）
KOUJIYA
it is a bean

Uwajima Castle

The journey begins from the castle mountain that makes you want to take a deep breath.

Uwajima Castle, in the city center, offers a sudden change in atmosphere at the entrance.

At the end of the moss-covered stone steps, trees that have lived for a long time spread their branches. Uwajima Castle Mountain, which has many plants that have survived for at least 300 years without being affected by fires or large-scale logging, is a treasure trove of giant trees and rare plants. A world of rich greenery and history remains within walking distance from the city.

Travel Tips

The approach to the castle has stone steps and slopes. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring a drink. The opening hours of the castle mountain and the viewing hours of the tenshu are different, so please pay attention to your arrival time if you want to tour the inside of the tenshu. Summer can be quite hot, so walking during the relatively cool morning hours is comfortable. Local residents also do radio exercises from 6:30 in the early morning.

See details of Uwajima Castle

The tenshu standing on a hill about 73 meters high is one of the '12 existing tenshu' that has remained since before the Edo period. The castle was built by the master builder Tōdō Takatora, and later rebuilt by the second lord of the Uwajima Date clan, Date Munenori, and this form has been passed down to the present.

When you reach the tenshu plaza, please turn around first. The town of Uwajima and the sea and mountains that spread out beyond it. A genuine tenshu from the Edo period and this view await just a short walk from the town. The charm of Uwajima Castle is that it is a mountain castle that also overlooks the sea.

Registered Tangible Cultural Property: Kiya Ryokan

Stay as if living in a building that has accumulated time.

Standing on a street that retains the traces of a castle town, Kiya Ryokan is a two-story wooden building. Founded in 1911, it is a long-established inn selected as a registered tangible cultural property of the country.

In the past, many cultural figures and politicians, including Inukai Tsuyoshi, Gotō Shinpei, and Shiba Ryōtarō, rested here. Although it once closed its history as an inn, it was reborn in 2012 as a one-group-per-day rental inn. The architect Yuko Nagayama, who also designed the 'Women's Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier' for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, was responsible for this rebirth. Instead of just preserving the old building, it marks a new time as a stay space layered with modern sensibilities.

Polished corridors, windows framing the garden's greenery, and softly streaming light. The interior retains a charm that feels over a hundred years old.

And what symbolizes Kiya Ryokan is the transparent acrylic floor used instead of tatami. A mysterious mechanism that allows you to see through to the rooms above and below adds a light surprise to the traditional wooden architecture.

While being a cultural property inn where historical figures stayed, there are bold designs with a playful spirit hidden within. The form of rebirth that fulfills both the preservation of the building and the enjoyment of new experiences is also a reason to want to visit Kiya Ryokan.

Travel Tips

Since Kiya Ryokan is limited to one group per day, early reservation for accommodation is recommended. There may be days when the inn can be toured only when there are no guests, but prior inquiry is necessary. Even for just a tour, check the acceptance status for the day before visiting.

View details of the wooden lodge

KOUJIYA

What you want to give to someone, you also want to give to yourself

Driving from Uwajima city center to the rural landscape of Mimacho, you'll find a region known for its expansive rice fields. Amidst this scenery stands "KOUJIYA," a charming wooden shop. The third-generation couple renovated the family-run liquor store, preserving its 120-year-old charm. It has been reborn as a shop where traditional business and fresh, new sensibilities coexist.

Inside, you'll find more than just alcohol. There are foods to pair with drinks, lifestyle goods to add a bit of fun to your daily life, and original products with eye-catching pop packaging. Just browsing the shelves can lead to unexpected discoveries.

Quality is paramount at KOUJIYA, but we also cherish the excitement of the moment you hold it in your hands. While searching for a gift with someone in mind, you might find yourself wanting to choose something special for yourself as well.

Among the most eye-catching is KOUJIYA’s original "MIMARICE." The package, boldly adorned with colorful lips, contains exactly one serving of rice grown in Mimacho. It's easy to bring back from a trip, perfect for enjoying at home, or as a small souvenir or gift. From late August, new rice is also available, allowing you to experience the harvest season of Mimacho at your table.

KOUJIYA Original Breast Beer (Rice Beer)

Rice beer made with MIMARICE rice. It is an easy-to-drink beer characterized by a scent like rice malt and a refreshing aftertaste.

KOUJIYA Original CURRYCURRY

Over 30 spices blended in a golden ratio enhance the sweetness of the curry and the milky texture of MIMARICE.

KOUJIYA

Location: 700 Miyanosita, Mikame-cho, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture
Selling alcohol, food, miscellaneous goods, and original gifts.
Business days and hours can be found on the official website or official Instagram please check.
The online shop is here.

ｍame de aru

Why Uwajima? Japan's first soybean coffee specialty cafe.

After walking a lot and encountering things that make your heart flutter, head to "mame de aru" in the city of Uwajima.

What you can taste here is "soybean coffee" made by roasting domestic soybeans without using any coffee beans.
Completely caffeine-free, yet the deep-roasted soybeans create a solid body in the flavor.

The soybean coffee, characterized by a fragrant aroma reminiscent of roasted soybean flour and a mellow richness, is an easy choice for those concerned about caffeine or for an evening break.

meme de aru

Location: 3-3-10 Marunouchi, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture
A specialty cafe for completely caffeine-free soybean coffee that does not use coffee beans.
Business days, hours, and menu can be found on official Instagram please check.

I recommend the double soy latte, which is soybean coffee mixed with soy milk. It's also a good idea to enjoy it with a dessert.
Every cup at mame de aru comes with a story that connects to the future of Uwajima, such as utilizing abandoned farmland and creating systems where local adults support students. This café offers a chance to learn a bit about the town's future through new flavors. You can also take it to go, making it a great companion for your journey home by train or car.