Saijo: Ehime's City of Water with Natural Springs & Festival Culture

What Makes Saijo Japan's City of Water

Saijo is a small city in eastern Ehime Prefecture that calls itself the Spring Water Capital of Japan — and the claim is not marketing. According to the Tourist Information Center at Railway History Park, approximately 2,000 natural spring wells called uchinuki (うちぬき) are scattered throughout old Saijo city, producing an estimated 900,000 cubic meters of water daily. The water rises to the surface under its own groundwater pressure, fed by snowmelt from Mount Ishizuchi (石槌山), western Japan's tallest peak at 1,982m (6,503ft).

Uchinuki water has been selected multiple times as one of Japan's Top 100 Waters, and its consistent year-round temperature made it valuable enough to attract major beverage manufacturers — both Coca-Cola and Asahi Breweries operate factories in Saijo specifically for the water supply.

Beyond the springs, Saijo is home to one of Shikoku's most intense autumn festivals and sits along the Shikoku Pilgrimage route with five of the 88 sacred temples. It is not a tourist town in the conventional sense — this is a working agricultural and industrial city — but that authenticity is part of what makes it worth visiting. For an overview of all Ehime city guides, see our hub page. For Saijo's other draws including Mount Ishizuchi access and the craft beer scene, see our companion guide.

Exploring Saijo's Uchinuki Natural Springs

Tourist Information Center and Water Tasting

The best place to start is the Tourist Information Center, housed in the Railway History Park building near Saijo Station. According to the official site, the center is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00, 365 days a year, with free entry. It offers uchinuki water tasting, local specialty products, souvenirs, and — most usefully — rental bicycles for exploring the city.

The water tasting lets you try the spring water that defines Saijo's identity. The taste is clean and soft, with none of the mineral heaviness you might expect from groundwater. Staff can explain the uchinuki system and point you toward the best public viewing spots.

Walking and Cycling the Spring Water Routes

Most of Saijo's 2,000 uchinuki wells are on private or residential land, so visitors cannot access all of them. The Tourist Information Center provides maps of designated walking and cycling routes that pass the best public wells and watercourses.

The central Saijo area features elevated walkways along open water channels where spring water flows through the city. According to Japan Travel, in winter you can see snow-capped mountains in the background — Mount Ishizuchi's peaks visible above the city rooftops, a reminder of where all this water originates.

A cycling tour of the main uchinuki sites takes roughly two to three hours at a relaxed pace. The city is flat and easy to navigate by bicycle. Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor exploring.

The October Danjiri Festival: Saijo's Biggest Event

What Are Danjiri Floats?

Danjiri (だんじり) are large, ornately decorated festival floats — wooden structures carried on the shoulders of teams of local men through city streets. Saijo's October festival features over 80 danjiri, making it one of the largest danjiri festivals in Japan. The floats are heavy, elaborately carved, and often centuries old, passed down through neighborhoods that take fierce pride in their particular danjiri.

The festival atmosphere is intense. Teams of carriers chant, run, and jostle as they parade through narrow streets, with spectators pressed against buildings to watch. It is nothing like the orderly, tourist-oriented festivals you might find in Kyoto — this is a raw, community-driven event that happens whether or not outsiders show up.

The Kawa-iri River Ceremony

The climax of Saijo's festival is the kawa-iri (水中参拝) — a ceremonial entry of the danjiri floats and portable shrines into the Kamo River (賀茂川). This happens at dusk during the main festival days (typically around October 14-17), with lantern-lit floats carried into the river while crowds line the banks.

The kawa-iri is dramatic: dozens of floats converging in shallow river water, lit by paper lanterns against the darkening sky. It is one of the most visually striking festival scenes in Shikoku. If you plan to attend, book accommodation well in advance — the festival draws large crowds from across the region, and lodging fills up quickly.

Shikoku Pilgrimage Temples in Saijo

Saijo sits along the Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路), the ancient Buddhist walking route connecting 88 temples across the island. The city hosts five of these temples: Yokomine-ji (No. 60), Kōon-ji (No. 61), Hōju-ji (No. 62), Kichijō-ji (No. 63), and Maegami-ji (No. 64), according to Japan Travel.

Even if you are not walking the full pilgrimage, visiting one or two of these temples adds a contemplative dimension to a Saijo trip. You will likely see pilgrims in traditional white garments (henro) making their way between temples — a living tradition that has continued for centuries. The temples are spread across the city and surrounding hills, so a bicycle or car is helpful for visiting multiple sites.

For a broader look at activities in the area including shrine festivals and mountain trailheads, see our guide to more things to do in Saijo.

Getting to Saijo and Getting Around

From Matsuyama, take the JR Yosan Line to Saijo Station — the journey takes approximately 40-50 minutes. Trains run regularly throughout the day. The one-way fare is approximately ¥860 (~$6).

Saijo Station is the central access point. The Tourist Information Center and main uchinuki areas are walkable from the station, but for covering the wider city — including pilgrimage temples and more distant spring sites — a rental bicycle from the Tourist Information Center is the most practical option. The city is flat, making cycling easy even for casual riders.

If driving, Saijo is accessible from the Matsuyama Expressway. Parking is available at most attractions.

For the October festival, expect heavier crowds and limited parking. Public transit or walking from the station is recommended during festival days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saijo worth a day trip from Matsuyama?

Yes, particularly during the October danjiri festival, which is one of Shikoku's most spectacular events. Outside festival season, the uchinuki springs and pilgrimage temples make for a rewarding half-day to full-day trip. The JR Yosan Line takes 40-50 minutes from Matsuyama, making it an easy connection.

Where can I taste the famous spring water in Saijo?

The Tourist Information Center at Railway History Park near Saijo Station offers free uchinuki water tasting and is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00 year-round with no admission charge. Rent a bicycle there to visit public wells throughout the city. The center also has maps showing the best spring water walking routes.

When is the Saijo danjiri festival?

The main festival runs in mid-October, typically around October 14-17. The highlight is the kawa-iri ceremony at dusk when over 80 danjiri floats are carried into the Kamo River under lantern light. Plan well in advance — accommodation across the region fills up during this period.

How much does it cost to visit Saijo's attractions?

The Tourist Information Center is free and open year-round. There are no admission fees for viewing uchinuki wells, walking the spring water routes, or attending the danjiri festival. The main expense is transportation — the JR train from Matsuyama is approximately ¥860 (~$6) one way. Bicycle rental at the Tourist Information Center is available at low cost.