Things to Do in Uwajima (宇和島市), Ehime: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Uwajima (宇和島市) in Ehime Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Ryūkō-ji, 41st temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Butsumoku-ji, 42nd temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Kushima (4.4 km) and served by Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) via the regional hub at Matsuyama Station (JR Shiokaze Limited Express) & Matsuyama Airport (MYJ). Set at 6 m elevation (33.2167°N, 132.5667°E), Uwajima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Tai-meshi (sea bream rice—steamed whole in Matsuyama or raw sashimi over rice with egg in Uwajima), Jakoten (fried whole-fish cakes), Ehime mikan & citrus juices (literally on tap!) cuisine and exploring neighboring Matsuno (松野町) (13.5 km), Seiyo (西予市) (17.1 km), Kihoku (鬼北町) (19.4 km), Ainan (愛南町) (28.4 km).

Uwajima is located in southwestern Ehime Prefecture, facing the wide rias coastline and remote islands, Uwa Bay on the Seto Inland Sea to the east, and with the other three sides surrounded by mountains. Although it is actually located to the south-southeast of Yawatahama, as it is the terminus of the limited express train on the JR Shikoku Yosan Line, people other than local residents tend to think that it is the westernmost city in Ehime Prefecture. The area of Uwajima was part of ancient Iyo Province. During the Heian period, Uwajima (notably the island of Hiburijima in Uwajima Bay) was center of piracy in the Seto Inland Sea and became the stronghold of Fujiwara no Sumitomo in his rebellion. Within Ehime Prefecture, Uwajima (宇和島市) serves as a city in Ehime Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2005-08-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Dogo Onsen Honkan (3,000-year-old bathhouse that inspired Spirited Away) & hilltop Matsuyama Castle, the Shimanami Kaido cycling terminus at Imabari, and preserved Edo wax-merchant streets of Uchiko & Ozu.

What to See & Do in Uwajima (宇和島市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Uwajima (宇和島市) from Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) at 6 m elevation (33.2167°N, 132.5667°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Uwajima):

• Ryūkō-ji, 41st temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage — local sightseeing landmark near Uwajima (宇和島市).
• Butsumoku-ji, 42nd temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage — local sightseeing landmark near Uwajima (宇和島市).
• Kushima (4.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Uwajima (宇和島市).
• Ryūō-shima (7.2 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Uwajima (宇和島市).
• Ko-shima (7.2 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Uwajima (宇和島市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Uwajima: Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) (connecting to Matsuyama Station (JR Shiokaze Limited Express) & Matsuyama Airport (MYJ)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Uwajima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Uwajima (宇和島市) and Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Ehime Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Matsuno (松野町) — 13.5 km from Uwajima (Ehime Prefecture)
• Seiyo (西予市) — 17.1 km from Uwajima (Ehime Prefecture)
• Kihoku (鬼北町) — 19.4 km from Uwajima (Ehime Prefecture)
• Ainan (愛南町) — 28.4 km from Uwajima (Ehime Prefecture)
• Yawatahama (八幡浜市) — 31.1 km from Uwajima (Ehime Prefecture)

Getting to Uwajima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Uwajima (宇和島市) via Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km): 2h 40m from Okayama Station on the JR Shiokaze Limited Express (stopping at Imabari), or 1h 25m flight from Tokyo Haneda. From Matsuyama Station (JR Shiokaze Limited Express) & Matsuyama Airport (MYJ), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) to reach central Uwajima (33.2167°N, 132.5667°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Matsuyama with Uwajima (宇和島市) and neighboring Matsuno, Seiyo, Kihoku. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Uwajima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Uwajima and continuing toward Matsuno can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Uwajima: While Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) anchors public transit for Uwajima, picking up a rental car at Matsuyama Station (JR Shiokaze Limited Express) & Matsuyama Airport (MYJ) makes it easy to link Ryūkō-ji, 41st temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and Butsumoku-ji, 42nd temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage with nearby Matsuno (松野町) (13.5 km), Seiyo (西予市) (17.1 km), Kihoku (鬼北町) (19.4 km), Ainan (愛南町) (28.4 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Uwajima (宇和島市) & Ehime

Dining near Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) and across Uwajima (宇和島市) highlights the regional food culture of Ehime Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Uwajima:

• Local specialty & terroir of Uwajima (宇和島市): nashi pear orchards and seasonal fruit farming alongside terraced mikan mandarin and citrus groves overlooking the coast.
• Tai-meshi (sea bream rice—steamed whole in Matsuyama or raw sashimi over rice with egg in Uwajima) — regional specialty enjoyed across Uwajima (宇和島市) and Ehime Prefecture.
• Jakoten (fried whole-fish cakes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Uwajima (宇和島市) and Ehime Prefecture.
• Ehime mikan & citrus juices (literally on tap!) — regional specialty enjoyed across Uwajima (宇和島市) and Ehime Prefecture.
• Imabari yakitori (seared on flat iron plates) — regional specialty enjoyed across Uwajima (宇和島市) and Ehime Prefecture.

If you are dining in Uwajima (宇和島市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km).

Where to Stay in Uwajima (宇和島市)

Visitors staying overnight in Uwajima (宇和島市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km), or base at major rail hubs in Matsuyama (Matsuyama Station (JR Shiokaze Limited Express) & Matsuyama Airport (MYJ)) or neighboring Matsuno, Seiyo, Kihoku for quick train access into Uwajima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Uwajima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Uwajima (宇和島市, 6 m elevation at 33.2167°N, 132.5667°E): March–May and September–November for cycling the Shimanami Kaido into Imabari and strolling Dogo Onsen in a cotton yukata.

Wider sightseeing across Ehime Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Ryūkō-ji, 41st temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Uwajima (宇和島市) includes: Dogo Onsen Honkan (3,000-year-old bathhouse that inspired Spirited Away) & hilltop Matsuyama Castle, the Shimanami Kaido cycling terminus at Imabari, and preserved Edo wax-merchant streets of Uchiko & Ozu.

Practical Travel Tips for Uwajima (宇和島市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Uwajima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Matsuyama Station (JR Shiokaze Limited Express) & Matsuyama Airport (MYJ) or Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) for local bus schedules to Ryūkō-ji, 41st temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and walking maps of Uwajima (宇和島市).
• Cash & ATMs in Uwajima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Ryūkō-ji, 41st temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Uwajima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Uwajima: Around Uwajima Station (宇和島駅) (1.1 km) and neighboring Matsuno, Seiyo, Kihoku, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.