Imabari City Guide: Shimanami Kaido, Towel Culture & Local Cuisine

What Makes Imabari Worth a Stop

Imabari sits on the northwestern coast of Ehime Prefecture, a compact port city that most travelers pass through without a second thought. That's a missed opportunity. This is the Shikoku-side gateway to the Shimanami Kaido, Japan's most celebrated cycling route, but Imabari has its own identity beyond being a starting line — it's the country's largest towel production center and home to two local dishes you won't find anywhere else.

As part of our Ehime city guide, Imabari offers a distinctly different experience from the hot springs of Matsuyama or the preserved merchant streets of Uchiko. Where those towns trade in tradition and nostalgia, Imabari is a working city with industrial heritage, sea breezes, and a cycling culture that draws visitors from around the world. You can explore Ozu's castle town on a separate trip — Imabari deserves its own day.

Starting the Shimanami Kaido from Imabari

The Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道) is a 70km (43-mile) cycling route that connects Imabari in Shikoku to Onomichi in Honshu, crossing six islands via seven bridges. Starting from the Imabari side puts you on the route's most dramatic section first — the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge.

Most cyclists take 6-8 hours for the full one-way crossing, though you can turn around at any island. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) offer the most comfortable riding conditions. Summer brings intense heat and humidity, while winter winds on the exposed bridges can make the ride challenging.

Bike Rental and Logistics

The Imabari Cycle Terminal, located near JR Imabari Station, is the main rental hub on the Shikoku side. It's open 9:00-18:00, with the last rental at 17:00.

Bike Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Cross bike	¥2,000 (~$13)	Standard choice for most riders
E-bike	¥5,000 (~$33)	Recommended for beginners or hot weather
Bridge tolls	¥500-1,000 (~$3-7)	Paid at machines; IC cards accepted

One-way rental is available — you can pick up in Imabari and drop off in Onomichi. Online reservations are accepted through the official Shimanami Cycle website. The terminal has showers and lockers, so you can clean up after your ride.

Many visitors on Reddit recommend renting an E-bike if you're not a regular cyclist, especially for the uphill bridge approaches on the Imabari side.

The First Bridge: Kurushima Kaikyo

The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge (来島海峡大橋) is the longest suspension bridge section on the Shimanami Kaido and one of the most impressive cycling experiences in Japan. The dedicated cycling lane runs alongside vehicle traffic, offering panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and its whirlpool currents below.

Before or after your ride, stop at Sunrise Itoyama, a hilltop rest area overlooking the bridge with a cafe and ample bike parking. It's one of the top photo spots in Imabari and gives you a sense of the route's scale.

Imabari Towel: Japan's Premium Craft

Imabari is Japan's largest towel production area, a distinction the city has held for over a century. According to Imabari City's official site, the region's soft water and specific cotton-weaving techniques produce towels known for exceptional absorbency. The "Imabari Towel" brand carries a quality certification — only towels meeting strict standards earn the white-and-red logo.

The Imabari Towel Museum showcases the craft and sells products directly. Admission is ¥300 (~$2) for adults and ¥100 (~$0.70) for children. Hours are 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday). Prices shown are from 2025; check the official site for current rates.

This is a genuinely unique shopping stop — Imabari towels are sold throughout Japan, but browsing the full range at factory-direct prices is an experience only available here. Sets of hand towels make excellent souvenirs, lightweight and practical.

What to Eat in Imabari

Imabari's food scene is built around two signature dishes, both born from the city's working-class port identity. Neither is widely available outside the city.

Yakibuta Tamago Meshi

Yakibuta tamago meshi (焼豚玉子飯) is Imabari's most distinctive local dish — a rice bowl topped with thick-cut grilled pork (yakibuta) and a soft-boiled egg, drizzled with a sweet soy-based sauce. It's a filling, no-frills meal that originated as hearty port worker food. Don't confuse it with typical yakiniku; the pork here is slow-roasted and sliced thick, closer to char siu in texture. Expect to pay around ¥800-1,000 (~$5-7) per serving.

Imabari Yakitori

Imabari yakitori (今治焼き鳥) looks nothing like the charcoal-grilled skewers you'll find in Tokyo. Here, chicken is cooked on a flat iron plate with generous amounts of green onion (negi), pressed flat and seared until crispy. The result is more like a chicken steak than a delicate skewer. Imabari reportedly has one of the highest per-capita yakitori restaurant densities in Japan — you'll find shops clustered around the station area.

Getting to Imabari

Imabari is well-connected by rail and has ferry options from the Kansai region.

• From Matsuyama: JR Yosan Line limited express, approximately 1 hour, around ¥1,500 (~$10). This is the most common day-trip route — see our Matsuyama city guide for combining the two cities.
• From Osaka: Ferry to Imabari Port takes approximately 2.5 hours, or travel via Okayama by shinkansen plus JR connection in roughly 3 hours.
• By car: Imabari-Kita IC to city center is about 10 minutes. Imabari is the Shikoku starting point of the Shimanami Kaido expressway.

The nearest station is JR Imabari Station, which serves as the central hub for both the city and the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start the Shimanami Kaido from Imabari and return the bike in Onomichi?

Yes. One-way rental is fully supported — pick up your bike at the Imabari Cycle Terminal and drop it off at the Onomichi side. Cross-bikes cost ¥2,000/day (~$13) and E-bikes ¥5,000/day (~$33), plus bridge tolls of ¥500-1,000. Reserve online through the official cycle website to guarantee availability.

Is Imabari worth staying a night or just a day trip from Matsuyama?

If you're cycling the Shimanami Kaido, staying overnight in Imabari lets you start early and avoid rushing. For sightseeing only — the towel museum, local food, and Kurushima Kaikyo views — a day trip from Matsuyama works well, since the JR limited express takes just one hour each way.

When is the best season to cycle the Shimanami Kaido from Imabari?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are ideal, with mild temperatures and manageable winds. Summer is hot and humid, making the exposed bridge crossings uncomfortable. Winter brings strong winds across the bridges that can slow your ride considerably. The city also hosts a towel festival in August.

How much does bike rental cost for the Shimanami Kaido?

A cross-bike rents for ¥2,000/day (~$13) and an E-bike for ¥5,000/day (~$33) at the Imabari Cycle Terminal. Bridge tolls add ¥500-1,000 (~$3-7) total, paid at machines along the route. The terminal is open 9:00-18:00, with the last rental at 17:00. Online reservations are available.